My Other Hobby - Beaded Necklaces

I have many hobbies and interests. I enjoy giving my right brain a good workout. A lot of my hobbies are self-taught (excluding watercolor painting...yet another hobby). Here is one that I wanted to share with you. I enjoy making simple beaded necklaces.

I typically start with a central bead, pendant, or collection of center beads. I then incorporate smaller beads with similar colors and/or different textures. This would include my main colors from the central bead or pendant and incorporating shiny and matte texture beads. I prefer working with glass beads and yes, my necklaces can get quite heavy. That's why I incorporate a lot of smaller beads towards the back neckline. To help lighten the load. Also, my hair covers the back part of the necklace, so I am less worried about the design towards the back.

Here's a close-up of the clasp area. I tend to leave the bead wire a bit loose back here. On my first necklace, I had pulled the wire too close and too tight, crimped it, and one of my glass beads shattered near the clasp. Too much pressure.

Here's a side view of the necklace. Notice I gradually go to smaller beads towards the back.



Here's a close-up of the front beads. I could have incorporated a lot more color into this necklace, but I wanted to keep the focal point on the front square beads and to keep the necklace bright and cheerful.



Just like my sewing stash, I have a bead stash. Beads are readily available at local stores and come in different styles and colors. Thank goodness beads are really small and I can easily store them. How do I store them? You'll have to wait for another post.

Happy Friday!