It’s pink. It’s powerful. It’s inspirational. It’s a necklace made by a bead buddy of mine, Judy, and then she let me photograph and write up the directions so she could share: Pink Power Lampwork & Wire Necklace.

I’m ending my June tribute to pearls with a big BANG and this fabulous crystal and pearl necklace designed by Design by Apple and written by Tammy Honaman, Media Content Manager for Fire Moutain Gem & Beads. It’s called Crystal and Pearl Mystique.

Nothing beats the classic designs when it comes to pearls, and WigJig offers a free pearl project on its site to shows how to include some WigJig style clasps into different pearl designs, including the necklace pictures.

Of course, I had to make a complete set for my prom pal, and I wasn’t sure what she wanted as far as a necklace. Thus, I ended up making one for her that was adjustable. It combines chain sections with pearls, crystals, and hematite hear beads. Plus, it has a sterling heart bead at the end. This can be worn a number of different ways.
Though I orginally made this for someone going to the prom, the design could easily be adapted for a bride as well: Adjustable Prom Queen Necklace project.

While like the next person I can appreciate bold and dramatic jewelry, on an every day basis I tend to wear petite jewelry pieces because they are just more comfortable to me. Nothing drives me more insane than a huge necklace that I almost choke myself on all day long. This Pretty in Pink tin cup style necklace is a well-worn favorite of mine, and again, this is another idea for bridal party members. The pink of the nylon cord matches with the small pink pearl beads. Once you get used to knotting, the process for making one of these …read more

I call this my Patriotic Necklace project because it combines white pearl with red and blue cathedral crystal beads. Unfortunately, it’s really difficult to get a good picture of these cathedral beads because you really need a lot of light hitting them to get the whole affect. I did manage to find some decent photos of them at Land of Odds, but even then, you need to see these in person to really appreciate them.

The Land of Odds has announced that it’s narrowed down the competition now to ten semi-finalists for its Ugly Necklace Contest:
Who will win? We need the public’s help to influence our panel of judges. Should the student’s to do list set an uglier standard than the art student’s supply list? Whose romantic break-up resulted in an uglier design? Would any of these ugly necklaces make you queasy, as the jewelry artist says? Are “Nurses” curses? Is “ugliness” the price of celebrity?
Our respected judges narrowed the 37 entries to the 10 best ones. Now it’s time for America and the World …read more

I’m reminded of the few times I go clothes shopping the old saying “it looks better on.” That’s how I would describe this new necklace I just made: Wire Heart & Lampwork Ribbon Necklace.
I designed it so that the V part is positioned at the collar bone, so without seeing it on someone, you don’t get the full affect I don’t think. Again, you’ll notice my wire heart attempt at the bottom of this piece.
Honestly, though, I think it still needs some work.

I wear this Good as Gold Heart Necklace all the time. It incorporates gold-colored beading wire, crystals, and wonderful glass beads from Italy. Crimp beads keep the beads in stations in various spots on the necklace.
 

This triple strand necklace gives this some “chunk” to the design, especially since one strand is made iwth garnet chip beads. Not sure what to do with all those old chip beads you have? They are great to include in something like this. Just add them as a single strand to a multiple strand necklace and you get instant “substance.”
You can find complete instructions here: Chunky, Funky Heart Necklace.