Length Matters!

When I started making necklaces for myself from recycled vintage beads and chain, their  length was determined by their ability to be slipped  on and off easily during my teaching day. As a dance teacher, my students were not allowed to wear jewelry in the studio so neither did I. But during the rest of the school day, when I went to meetings or did administrative tasks, I wanted to look more professional. I came up with a design that worked for me. I assembled sections of  beads and chain that totaled 30-36" in length. I even made some longer necklaces that could be doubled around my neck. I made them to be light and comfortable and I made them without clasps so that they looked good no matter how they slipped around my neck, no matter which section "showed."



The materials for most of my necklaces come from recycled vintage pieces and I have learned a lot about vintage jewelry. Did you know that short vintage necklaces were "chokers?" Longer pearl necklaces were described as opera length. Necklaces were designed to be worn with certain necklines - like the sweetheart neckline or the scooped neckline. I don't think that women in the 1940's and 50's  expected their necklaces to be any more comfortable than their underwear (think girdles and bullet bras). In the 60's, love beads appeared. They were longer, colorful and worn in bunches. In the 70's and 80's big, bold necklaces made "statements" about the women that wore them.

I still like comfortable. And comfortable comes in all different lengths!

The Revision Process Follow-Up

The necklace is now for sale in my etsy shop - called Synchronicity (although Annette Tait's suggestion (see comments on previous post) was very appealing and will be saved and used in the future :)

The Revision Process

Periodically, I go through the collection of necklaces I have made and find one that doesn't feel "quite right." Sometimes I take it apart and start from scratch like an artist who paints over old canvasses. Sometimes, I hold on to the basic idea and change one part, like the chain used or one section of beads. Sometimes I take out some beads or shorten the chain sections and sometimes, I add something.

These lovely plastic beads drilled on the diagonal were popular in the 60s. Because they were strung together without eye pins or jump rings, the overall effect in the original necklaces was created by them overlapping each other. When I found a broken vintage necklace with several of these beads still in good shape I knew I wanted to use them in one of my designs. The first version included simply the beads separated by jump rings hung on a dark brass industrial type chain.

Recently, when I "found" it again, it seemed that part of the beauty of the beads was "lost" because they were still too close together. So I found some small round glass beads to insert in between each of the square beads to contrast their size and shape.

I haven't listed the necklace in my etsy shop or named it yet (any suggestions?). But I am definitely happier with it now. The process is as important (and interesting) as the product.

Two New Necklaces in the Shop

Maximize Your Assets Necklace 

Chunky, chunkier, chunkiest vintage metal and enamel chains!

Ruby Slippers Necklace

I picture Glinda, the good witch, wearing this when she attends parties in Munchkin Land.

Two of My Necklaces Featured in Pretty Treasuries

My Blueberry Lemonade Necklace is included in the Blue Gifts treasury by Nadin Sandler

My City Lights Necklace is included in the Silver Lining treasury by Sew My Darling

Inspiration - Song Titles

First Row: Hush, Chelsea Morning, Shelter from the Storm

Middle Row: Good Day Sunshine, California Dreamin', It's a Jungle Out There

Bottom Row: Coconut, Heart and Soul, Rainbow 'Round My Shoulders

Since each of my jewelry pieces is unique, I try to come up with a different "name" for each of them. I  realized recently that very often when I look at the finished piece, whether it's because of the shape or colors of the beads or their arrangement, the first thing I am reminded of is a song. I only hope, since my taste in music is very eclectic, that other people "get" the references.

Brick and Mortar Necklace Version 2.0

Brick and Mortar Necklace

Periodically (read not as often as I'd like) I redo (read improve) some of my necklaces and earrings. I find something that I've created a while ago and see again what it was that made me put those specific beads and chain components together and I see something I'd like to change.

That happened yesterday with this necklace. When I looked at it, it seemed to have too many shades of tan, some of which did not set off the amazing brick colored plastic beads as well as they could (read should) so it got taken apart and put back together again with more brick-colored beads mixed only with cream-colored beads. Satisfying (read fun) use of my time!

Rainbow Round My Shoulder Necklace

Rainbow Round My Shoulder Necklace

April Enchantment

Pure Enchantment Necklace made from vintage silvertone rollo chain and plastic and glass beads in sapphire blue and frosty white - elegant, light and eco-friendly!

Kid in a Candy Shop Necklace

Recycled vintage "moonglow" beads in a summery mix of colors. This necklace has a clasp and is shorter than most of my slip-on pieces. Unique, chic & eco-friendly!

Bits & Pieces Sari Silk Ribbon Necklace

Bits & Pieces Sari Silk Ribbon Necklace

When I make my necklaces, I always have bits and pieces of vintage chain left over - bits and pieces that I can't bear to waste. So for this necklace, I put them all together, along with some vintage glass beads and silk ribbon made from recycled saris and voila! An eclectic, soft, light and eco-friendly one-of-a-kind piece.

Next Act Necklace

Next Act Necklace
Black and white and brass all over!