Tag Archives: statement

Friday, April 1st

1 Apr

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Mica. It’s a naturally occurring mineral that appears clear because of the careful alignment of the silica crystals. In parts of the northern U.S. the sheets are available in streambeds where they shimmer like silver under the waters. The lightweight, transparent nature of this mineral is very compelling to me. The first time I saw sheets of mica I immediately wanted to make jewelry with it.

Who wouldn’t?

First, it matches everything. Second, it’s lightweight. Third, it looks sharp and kinda dangerous.

This necklace looks like shards of glass, hinged together at odd points. I pierced the mica sections and set them with teeny dollhouse hinges using rivets and eyelets. The mixture of chain sections along the back and side include brass and sterling silver and the design is finished with a hook and ring clasp. This necklace is lightweight and comfortable and I like to wear it on days when I feel my outfit needs a bit of an edge. All those sharp, broken-glass looking shards seem too dangerous to wear but relax, they aren’t sharp at all.

For instructions on how to make a similar style see this tutorial.

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Tuesday, March 29th

29 Mar

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This necklace is big.

I made it for a magazine that requested ‘big, statement necklace projects’ last year. Dramatic necklaces are all over fashion magazines and celebrity necks and the craft mags want to be able to say they are on trend. Sadly, this crazy-big Drama Mama was too much for the editors. The requested a simpler version, with central elements no bigger than 1×2 inches. Huh? That is not dramatic!

So, I think I’ve only worn this once before today. I thought it would be difficult to wear but its not. It is lightweight and comfortable (note the woven belt-strapping neck band!) and actually easy to wear.

This necklace is also popular; I was stopped by at least 5 people today asking about this necklace. That never happens. Must be the drama.

Tuesday, March 29th

29 Mar

20110329-100405.jpg

20110329-100443.jpg

20110329-100455.jpg
This necklace is big.

I made it for a magazine that requested ‘big, statement necklace projects’ last year. Dramatic necklaces are all over fashion magazines and celebrity necks and the craft mags want to be able to say they are on trend. Sadly, this crazy-big Drama Mama was too much for the editors. The requested a simpler version, with central elements no bigger than 1×2 inches. Huh? That is not dramatic!

So, I think I’ve only worn this once before today. I thought it would be difficult to wear but its not. It is lightweight and comfortable (note the woven belt-strapping neck band!) and actually easy to wear.

This necklace is also popular; I was stopped by at least 5 people today asking about this necklace. That never happens. Must be the drama.

Saturday, March 26th

26 Mar

This necklace is made of ceramic ‘fan’ beads and silk cording. The ceramic beads are all by Elaine Ray and the silk cording laces them together. The many dangling silk cords have beads knotted along the ends. The beads chime against each other when I move: the effect is either lovely or annoying, depending on your personal tolerance for noises.

I love that this necklace is both dramatic and simple. The construction is so basic: laced silk holds the pieces together, yet the effect is over-the-top in scale.

Tonight I wore this necklace with a favorite blouse and sweater combo. The necklace is a bit tribal for the floral blouse and cardigan sweater but I like that mix.