Costume Jewelry Re-Design- Part 2
In case you missed it, I am revamping a few pieces I got recently at the local Antique fair. Read yesterdays post ( Aug 20 2024) for the background info and the first piece I disassembled and reassembled.
Today, this is the next necklace in my super fun series! A chunky ethnic beaded necklace with this cool extender chain and arrowhead charm. I love the chunky beads- the combo of teal, amber, orange and browns - I love the fun metal discs and the bead cones. I would probably wear this one as is.... but that's no fun! Let's see what this pile of beads looks like....
Here it is taken apart. I shot a pic of what the beads look like on my work table.
I tend to work very organically on jewelry- what I mean by that is, there is no plan. I didn't lay out the design ahead of time. I made a split decision to either use beading wire OR waxed cording. In today's session I went with waxed cording- in black. I cut a very long piece of it, strung the lobster clasp from the original necklace and then started adding the turquoise color beads.
When I came to those really large amber nuggets and lucite ovals- I had to PIVOT because... the holes would not accommodate 2 strands of the waxed cotton cord!
So that point it went from one beaded strand to 2! Perfect for an asymmetrical design!
I then had a few beads leftover after this necklace was finished so I pulled in some faceted matte black glass rondelles, and created a bracelet- also asymmetrical- using the big fat metallic bead, an amber bead, the chain and then the arrowhead which I layered with another filigree/floral charm from Vintaj Brass Co. I made a steel wire hook clasp for it.
I love this remake! I, like you, think the original is nice, but your remake is so much fresher. I love how you used the gold discs. Taking something that's already good and making it better - now that's talent!
ReplyDeleteAnn that is so kind of you to say, thank you.
DeleteBoth of these designs are definitely an improvement over the original! My favorite thing is how you design on the fly and were able to pivot to a interesting design feature!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I worried about being able to convey that in words. Sometimes I find it difficult - and that's probably why I don't teach classes. Besides the fact that I clam up in front of a crowd.
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