I'm going to start by telling you that this wasn't difficult in the least. I purchased a beading board, arranged everything there, then used this nifty little tool that takes a piece of straight wire and loops it. With the resulting loop, you can set your beads then connect with split rings. The shorter piece is only a chain, the second layer is grey glass pearls with swarovski beads interspersed and the longest layer is acrylic and glass pearls.
This took all of 3 hours. Afterwards, I sat and thought about how much money I stood to make on Etsy by selling this necklace. Especially after pricing the ones on Etsy.
THEN it occurred to me that as nifty as the little loop making tool was, it didn't do anything for the security of the connections. Unless you make traditional loops then twist extra wire about 3 times for each (which adds a bit more work and time) then unless you plan to sauter each loop (and I've got a restraining order against me forbidding the use of extreme heat tools) then you'd better be prepared to forgo the nifty tool and twist, baby.
Since I'm not one for struggling with beads and wire, I decided this would be my first and only beading project. I promptly gifted it to my mom and moved on to other things. Those other things being...ready for it?...CARDS. Yep...I'm cycling back around.
For those who have every wondered what ADHD is like, one look at my gallery should make it very clear. HAH!
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2015 GMT Views: 1301
Favorited:4
Registered: May 23, 2009 Location: sunny california Posts: 9844
Sat, Sep 26, 2015 @ 2:00 PM
This is gorgeous, Carmen. Much prettier than anything I made during my short lived jewelery phase a few years ago. My box of beads, tools, anything possibly related to jewelery, is in the project graveyard in the garage. You have a wonderful eye for design....I bet your mom is thrilled.
Registered: May 25, 2006 Location: So. Oregon Posts: 127911
Sat, Sep 26, 2015 @ 4:44 PM
YAY I am so glad to see you posting again. ( had to laugh at the story, betcha your mama loved it!) ( mine DOES make jewelry lol so, I gift her with cards)
Registered: October 5, 2010 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 2355
Sat, Sep 26, 2015 @ 4:54 PM
So glad to see you post something, just yesterday I was thinking I'd missed any of your creations. This necklace is beautiful and your mom will love it! Beaded jewelry is something I also do along with my card making, counted cross stitch and graphed needlepoint. When I make necklaces or earrings I don't triple twist or solder and I've only had a few come apart over the years so I keep on making them this way.
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Registered: April 18, 2011 Location: Melbourne, Aus Posts: 51844
Wed, Sep 30, 2015 @ 3:52 PM
This looks fabulous Carmen. I had forgotten about my bead stash, board and a multitude of evil looking tools LOL. I hope this means we will be seeing you here more often my friend.
------------------------------ Susie
Please don't take your organs to heaven - heaven knows we need them here.
