| I don’t know about you, but I’m an “over-the-top-funky-chunky” kind of jewelry designer. I love textures, 3-dimensional surprises, mixed media, big baubles, and bling. Having had years of experience selling my creations at shows (L.A. Gift show, Buyer’s Market of American Craft, Quilt Market & Fest, to name a few of the biggies) and online, I’ve heard every type of customer comment you can imagine, kind and not so kind! One of the more commonly heard comment is “Oh, I simply could not wear THAT to work, it’s too much.” While the “more is better” design style is hot in my book, I realize not everyone enjoys a neck full of baubles, so I came up with a way to customize a necklace design to please everyone! Join me in creating a new look. |
Simple strand for simple tastes
Wearing a simple strand comes in handy and is definitely more “wearable” for work or playing on the weekends. I throw in a mixture of metal colors so my necklace will go with silver, copper, and gold. That way I don’t have to worry about matching my accessories.
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1. Make this easy strand with seed beads and Swarovski pearls and bicone crystal.2. Crimp small loops on each end. | |
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Double the funNow, let’s create a second strand with a bit more color and texture. Keep it simple or add a blast of bling (you know I can’t help it, Kristal is my name after all!). I used my Batik Beauty fabric beads with crystals for this strand.3. String a more complex strand with more components than your first strand. Make sure this strand is a bit longer than the first one.
4. Again, crimp small loops on each end. |
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Take it a notch upThis is my fave strand, adding even more unusual elements. I love throwing in a few resin nuggets for a sea glass effect without the weight. This strand is also where you may like to include some large holed beads. I call this strand my “party strand.” This is where I can go over the top and design this strand for holiday party-going!5. String this strand a bit longer than the other two strands.
6. Crimp small loops on each end. |
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The finishing touchYou can either create all your strands long enough to go around your neck and finish off with a toggle or clasp. For a more cost effective design, I like to add chain as the back of my necklace. Usually my hair covers that part anyway, so sometimes I feel like I’m wasting my precious baubles by doing a whole necklace with components.7. Add jump rings and a small lobster clasp to both ends of the chain, as well as to the back of your chain. | |
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Voilà!Clip your desired number of strands to each end of the chain. Single, double or triple strand masterpiece. You can also wear each strand separately so you essentially have a dozen different styles to choose from in one simple necklace! |
Reprinted from Beading Daily
kristalwick 