Looking at other time periods’ and cultures’ jewelry can be inspirational.  In Jewelry at Historical New England (located in Boston), there’s a couple of things I really like — there’s a pair of earrings circa 1885 that would translate well to beads and wire.  The seed pearl brooches from 1823 are great (though I wish the photography was better).  Oh!  And the jet earrings from the 1860.  There’s fancy popbeads from the 1950’s too.  Not tons of examples here, but still fun!