We've been having a bit of snow in Colorado! (It is December, after all.) This made the monthly Pretty Palettes challenge more challenging than usual since I didn't know if the roads would be clear enough for me to make it to Michaels and pick out my Bead Gallery beads in person. (I love to look at snow; I don't feel the same way about driving in it!) I decided to try and use my bead stash to create this necklace.
Necklace Inspiration
The sophisticated palette of silver, gold, and black selected by Erin Prais-Hintz had "New Year's Party" written all over it. I've made many designs with silver and black, but I hadn't thought to add gold to the equation. Gold (and yellow) make me a little nervous in jewelry designs, as I've discussed in an earlier blog post.
Thinking about New Year's and my wishes for 2015, I found these two colors of heart beads, one with a bright silver color and the other with a darker hematite finish. The heart beads made me think about how there are usually dark places along the road to the lighter places in life. The road to following your dreams is not always a clear, straight path; there are often detours and brambles along the way. I named the necklace "Follow Your Heart."
Jewelry Design Tips
Use gold-colored crimp tubes to provide a tiny touch of smooth gold to the ends of the heart dangles.
Matching the clasp color and size to the chain creates a seamless look at the back of the necklace.
In a pinch, you can cut off the end of a head pin to use as a piece of wire. (That's what I did for the center heart dangle.) However, it is usually more cost effective to use an actual spool of wire instead.
Save all your small bits of chain. You never know when you'll be able to use a small piece like the gold chain in the front of this necklace. As much fun as it is to shop for something new, it's also satisfying to use up every last bit of something old.
Wrap your pliers with painter's tape so you don't accidentally chip the shiny black finish of the chain.
Here's to a creative and fun 2015! Happy New Year!