Falling Leaves Necklace

This is a variation of a necklace that I made for Simply Beads (RIP) back in the day. If you live in the land of deciduous trees, you can guess what made me think of posting it this weekend. It's really starting to look like fall outside!

I forget which issue it was in, but I've been looking at this piece for a while and wanted to change it up a bit. There's a lot going on with the different elements and layers, but I think it would look great worn with a deep V-neck or inside a collared shirt.

The pendant and the big silver square around it are from the Fresh line by Plaid. The leaves are attached to a silver bar with loops. Some of them are connected by lengths of chain so the leaves dangle down farther. They're by Blue Moon. The ends of the necklace are hard to see here, but they're essentially chains made of linked glass and wooden beads.

Heart on Fire Necklace

This is a necklace I made for Beadalon's new product supplement and new wire variety packs. The spectacular pendant and glowing orange dichroic glass beads are from Paula Radke. I picked them out last year at the Tucson Gem Shows (definitely worth the trip, by the way!).

I think my friend Fernando Dasilva was the first person to show me how great crystals and dichroic glass look together. The colors are complementary and the different types of shine work together really well. I pulled the colors for this necklace from the pendant: jet, padparadscha, bronze, black diamond. Yummy!

Necklaces Inspired by Bracelets

You can find inspiration anywhere - I happen to like necklaces that are inspired by layered bracelets. I love those bracelets but they aren't terribly practical for my life. So, I end up attaching longer ends to them and wearing them as necklaces. This is a necklace that I designed by thinking about those fun bracelets and using their structure to create the focal section of the necklace.

Instead of three strands of equal length like they'd be for a bracelet, the strands are graduated so they hang properly for the necklace. For the dangles, I used a combination of rose and fuchsia crystals with an assortment of findings from Beadalon. The look would really change if you used a different color of crystals or if you substituted a heavier or lighter style of chain. It would be gorgeous in copper and green for fall!

Ode to Earrings

Earrings, earrings. How I love you so. You're easy to make, you dress up any outfit and you make great gifts!

It's that busy back-to-school time of year, summer is winding down, and I just don't blame you at all if time consuming beading projects aren't in the cards these days. But, here's my challenge to myself (and you!)...

Next time you find yourself in front of the TV, grab a box/bag/strand/package of beads and a handful of head pins, eye pins and ear wires, along with chain nose pliers, round nose pliers and wire cutters. Make as many different earrings as possible while "watching." It's a great exercise in creativity but it's just mindless enough to do while in front of the tube.

These earrings will make great last-minute additions to future ensembles or unique, impromptu gifts. BTW, did you know that pirates supposedly wore gold earrings because they could be used as identification or pawned for cash? (Thanks for that juicy morsel, Yvette!)