Jingle Jangles

Here's a jangly little necklace that I designed for the August issue of Simply Beads. Don't you love the color combo of these beads? Jennifer Heynen of Jangles makes each ceramic bead by hand. She's an accomplished bead maker and her new book, Ceramic Bead Jewelry, is fab.

I mixed the ceramic beads with Swarovski crystals and I like the way the two materials play off each other. The shiny chain and the matte cord work to reinforce that multi-tone vibe. To me, this necklace says, "yes, fall is nearly here but summer ain't over yet!"

We make all of the jewelry for the magazine really far in advance, so it is always a big treat to get the designs back when the issue goes on sale. I wore this necklace to the library's adult summer reading program party (I know, big night out! I love to read, what can I say?) and got lots of compliments. It's comfortable to wear, too, so that's a bonus.