Latest Necklaces

While shopping at Michaels during the Friends & Family sale, I found these cool rhinestone sliders. I made a couple of necklaces, one with the sliders and other embellishments and the other with sliders and spiders for a subtle "Halloween-style" necklace.

Sliders & spacers on neck wire

Finished necklace with additional embellishments

Spider necklace

Components Bought

Industrial Glam Necklace
     A few months ago I had the honor of being asked to create a piece for Michaels October Jewelry Month Showcase. They wanted me to use Susan Lenart Kazmir's Industrial Chic line as the basis for my piece. I was thrilled to be able to use my friend Susan's pieces, as it fits my style so well. Her new components add a bit of glitter and glam to her usual industrial look.   I let them guide me for the theme of this necklace. I loved the stark contrast of the rhinestones and glitter with the industrial metal edge.I added beads from the Bead Gallery line to complete the necklace in my steampunk style.  I created a piece that is now one of my very favorites - freeform & asymmetrial.
     Here is the supply list and the finished piece on Michaels website for the Industrial Glam Necklace. The instructions are also there, but I've included extra step-out images to help make it easier for you to create your own version.

   

    Use Chain with Glass Beads and Stones for one side of necklace. Measure and cut plain chain to desired length. Attach plain chain to chain with beads and stones. Attach Lobster Clasp to plain chain. Loop on other chain will serve as link.

Condition thread and thread needle. Attach to chain link as show in picture. Randomly string metal plated multi-color round beads and weave in and out of the chain.

 

 

    Once you have a base of metal beads, start incorporating the glass beads.

      Tie off strands and secure with knots when you run out of thread. Start next strand in previous method, securing on chain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue building base, and begin adding metal donuts, weaving beads and strands to secure.

 

 

   Start adding charm components, weaving in more metal beads and strands.

    Continue building necklace, constantly holding up to neck in front of mirror to make sure it hangs properly.

    Add keys and other dangling charms by the same method.

Continue adding beads and components until you are pleased with the results.
I left one chain without any embellishment, as I loved the asymmetry that broke up the regular flow of the necklace.

I must have put the word out very well that I needed jewelry to wear with black & lucky me, I got several beautiful pieces. From my friend, Vicki, I got two gorgeous ones - one peyote stitch & one accented with drop beads. I know I'll get lots of wear from these (as I've already worn them several times).

Another friend, Nancy (Draped In Jewelry), drew my name in our group's Christmas mingle. She made a lovely bracelet & earring set using crystals & chain. Unfortunately I can't tolerate earrings anymore, but I hated to just have them sit in the drawer somewhere. I do wear necklaces and originally considered contacting Nancy to see if she would convert the earrings for me. The bracelet she made is pictured at the right. The earrings were dangles and I decided to see if I could incorporate them into a crystal criss-cross necklace, as the center dangle - it worked! I made the necklace New Year's eve while watching "chic flick" movies. Now I have a necklace & matching bracelet to wear. The necklace is a choker style and the earring parts made a great accent - perfect!

Wow, where has the year gone? it seems like each year flies by faster than the last one. I've had good intentions of keeping my blog more up-to-date, however when given the choice between blogging or being in my studio creating, obviously creating has won out. I've narrowed my focus artistically to two mediums recently - art dolls (sculpting) and beading.

I was able to take several art related trips this year. The first, with Vicki in January to the Texas Beader's Retreat. In July, Lisa & I attended the Enchanted Doll Artist Conference in Albequerque, NM, after which Vicki & I went to the Shreveport Beader's Retreat. October found Lisa, Vicki & I journeying to Houston to the Quilt Show. It has been a fun year, art-wise.

I recently saw an article on bead/jewelry trends that "statement" necklaces are going to be the latest "thing". I guess I'll be all set, as my freeform necklaces definately fit the statement style. Most of these I've created within the last couple of years - the except being this first one - which features raku face beads I bought at a bead convention 3 - 4 years ago.


The frog bracelet & necklace set and the mermaid necklace were both inspired by imported handcarved beads that I found a a bead convention 3 years ago.











Since I also love sculpting (mainly with polymer clay), my next necklace featured a polymer clay dragon that I sculpted and more beads that I found to inspire me. The coordinating bracelet has pewter dragon charms.

Those necklaces evolved into this year's creations using my lampwork stash of beads. The first one had turquoise, green and brown tones and is a very versatile necklace. I wear it with many outfits. This is the necklace that my friend Lisa says is hers when I die (assuming I die first).







The blue jean necklace was created from lampwork and blue coral beads. I had made a simple strung necklace out of them several years ago when I found the coral, but I took apart that necklace to make this one that coordinated perfectly with denium.







It became such a joke between Lisa & I about "her" necklace (the one that would be hers when I died), that I thought I should create her one of her very own to enjoy while I'm still alive, so I made this one for her for her birthday. The lampwork beads have grey, brown, copper and black, so this necklace will coordinate beautifully with many of Lisa's outfits. The surprise and joy on her face when I gave the necklace to her, made the time I spent on it very worthwhile.

Last week was another road trip - my stepson graduated from Army basic training last and we drove up to Fort Sill (Lawton, OK) to attend Family Day and the Graduation Ceremony on Thursday & Friday. As I had already finished the mermaid necklace, I needed to find another piece to make. I was working on a couple of birthday presents and needed accent beads for them, so I looked in my lampwork box. I found those beads (and finished those bracelets), but I also pulled out two sets of beads I bought when my friend, Debbie Givens first started making lampwork beads. I added some glass beads that had gathered at various conventions and created this piece, which I finished yesterday.



My friend, Irene modeling the necklace. Her smiling face adds alot to the necklace, doesn't it? She said it was perfect for her - in her colors. Doesn't it look good on her? However, I did bring it back home with me. It doesn't look bad on me either.

When I went to the bead show this past May, I found some marvelous carved bone beads. I loved the detail on these beads. I bought several frogs and three mermaid beads. I also bought lots of leaf beads. I made the Garden Frogs necklace first, using only two of the frog beads. I created a triangle-shaped peyote base and added leaf and flower beads over the whole area.

My husband had a day surgery procedure last month and I took the beads to do the Mermaid Reef necklace while I was waiting. I got quite a bit done while waiting and finished it up the following week while watching television.