What started as a chain project finished as a lustrous, deluxe and one of a kind artful necklace.
I am self-learning chain making styles, and wanted to try this 'S' style. It is an easy technique, versatile, and classic. Not only that, doesn't it look like a playground swing chain? Happy memories.
Instead of many plain links, I dressed up the look with a number of vintage glass pearls. These are from an old necklace of my mother's, come apart. They are not perfectly round, nor perfectly white. They just don't make 'em like this anymore. To accentuate the pearls, I added filigree caps, a fancy little detail.
Although the chain is wonderful in itself, a necklace needs a focal point. And it needed to be something a notch even more distinct. Not an easy bill to fill.
I had collected agate from a Northern California beach a couple years ago. This location is known to rock collectors for good polishing specimens, and I had done just that in a home tumbler. I have a small batch of these smooth colored stones in my supply box.
The stone in this pendant is from that supply, it has a warm caramel color - golden with a blush of red.
To hang the stone, I designed a three part wire wrap. One part is an outer band and contains the hanging loops. A second part includes a wire weave along one side to provide depth to hold the stone. Three sparkling caramel swarovski crystals are woven into part of the weave for added assymetrical interest. Thirdly, a thinner wire is used inside the band to hold the stone firmly in place.
The only problem? I am going to have a hard time parting with this work. Thanks for your time.
April 17th, 2010 at 02:55 pm 1271516122