two layer inspired necklace

A friend was sporting a really truly fabulous necklace this summer.  It was complex and had diversity and fantastic busyness.  And so, I decided to re-create it with a little everythingshetouches' flare.  I don't have a comparison photo for you, however, I promise I was true the concept: two layers with many different hanging beads.  Ét voilà.  My version of the two layer necklace:

Other than figuring out the length of the two strands of chain so that they overlapped without interfering with each other, there was no complicated thoughtful design.  I found great freedom in random beading.  I used gemstone and wood beads and Czech glass pearls.  The diversity in texture, colours, opaqueness, shape and size makes for a very interesting piece, do you agree?

Perhaps December will bring a pair of earrings to make up the jewelry trinity: bracelet, necklace, earrings.

a memory is what is left when something happens and does not completely unhappen - edward de bono

In my past life, while living in Montréal, I worked for a watch and jewelry distributor.  We imported our merchandise from overseas and shipped them to boutiques and large vendors (Costco, Walmart) across Canada.  Our jewelry was imported from Murano, Italy and I instantly fell madly in love with glass hand-crafted jewels.  Sometimes, if I was lucky, a bracelet would arrive in less than stellar condition or our merchandise would be out-of-season and I would, for pennies a bag of beads(well, almost pennies; Murano glass is expensive because each piece is hand-crafted and often includes silver and/or gold foils) get loads of materials to create my own pieces.

It's been a long while since I crafted with beads, however, I find that it's really nice to exercise the fingers and mind in a different direction every so often.  I created this bracelet with a mix of Murano beads, pearls, quartz and seed beads linked onto chain.

I really do love designing and making jewelry so I think I might set aside some time to make one new piece once a month.  Stay tuned!