Necklace Lengths

Necklace

Lengths

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. We certainly did. One conversation I had with my sister-in-law gave me the idea for this post.




We were talking about jewelry in general and specifically why she doesn't wear much jewelry. She mentioned that all of her necklaces never seem to be the right length. Some are too short and most seem to not fit the neckline of her clothes. We both wear a lot to turtleneck shirts and/or "V" neck sweaters. I relate to her problem.

Do you??

So, I went looking for information on the various lengths of necklaces. I found a "definition" of the lengths.





The shortest, 16 inch, is aptly called "Choker" and falls just above the collarbone.  The 18 and 20 inch lengths are referred to as "Princess"  and are the most popular.  I usually use 18 inches for pendants such as the Ring by Ring Designs' Signature Pendant  seen above. Twenty-four inch is often called "Matinee",. Thirty is "Opera" and longer than that are "Lariats" or "Ropes"

Having said all that, the names and lengths vary and can cause some discussion - to say the least. But this is a start.

HOWEVER, it really depends on YOU! Everyone is different and a 16" choker on one person can be the so called "Princess" look on another. I know, on me, choker is just that, a real "choker"! Just as men have different neck sizes (shown in shirt sizes) so do women and it shows in necklace lengths.

You must also take into consideration, as I indicated in the beginning, what type of clothing you are wearing; specifically, the neckline. This explains why I'm not seen wearing the Signature Pendant often in the winter. (Turtlenecks, sweaters and 18 inch chains don't mix well for me)

I make the Kumihimo necklaces like the "Blue Diamond" necklace above in at least 20 inches (not including the focal Blue Diamond). It seems to just look best that way. But some people may disagree. What do you think?



Then recently I went to pflora beads for an Open Night of beading and learned how to make a "Lariat" length chain with decorated dangles. I've been wearing it almost daily ever since. This length works with my cold weather clothes. Plus it is fun to wander around a fully stocked store and pick out just what you like to make a new piece. (At home the searching is much harder) I do think I'll be making more of these. Any one else interested? Let me know.

Here is a close up picture of the "dangles". The possibilities are endless for the personalization of the beads added. Different colors, meaningful charms and on and on. Your choice.

The chain for this necklace is gunmetal and is really very nice. It is almost black but shiny.




So, do you have a preferred length for your necklaces? Do you like several different lengths? I would really like to know since it can affect things I make in the future.

Contact me at info@ringbyringdesigns.com with your questions/orders

While on the website be sure to check out the other new things I have added this week

Of course, you know that I have more pieces than show in my shop, so if you have seen something not there or if you would like something different, please contact me with your request.

There is still time for those who live near Easton to have a home party, I'm willing to come to your house to do that. Also, if you want just a personal "showing", I can do that too. Need a lunch time "show and tell" presentation at your office/place of employment? Yep, I'll do that too. Just let me know and we can make plans.


Until next week,

Bev

website: http://ringbyringdesigns.com

Email: info@ringbyringdesigns.com

or         bevcarlson@comcast.net

Also find Ring by Ring Designs on Facebook http://facebook.com/ringbyring

and Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/ringbyring

PMC Heart Necklace

Last Saturday two of my beading buddies and I went to Not Simply Beads in Plymouth, MA to take a class in PMC (Precious Metal Clay) The owner and instructor, Nichole, was fantastic. She in a master silversmith and received her fine arts degree from Rochester Institute of Technology. (That is my hometown)

We were all impressed with Nichole's teaching skills. She is both knowledgeable and able to pass her knowledge on to others. One of the things I like in a teacher (especially for adults) is the ability to help you over and around the common pitfalls and not be dictatorial in doing so.

Anyhow, we started our class by making some charms, learned how to add some CZ crystals and also bails. Pretty full class.

My favorite piece that I made is a heart with texture. I made it into a quick pendant necklace almost as soon as I got home. I put it on an 18 inch sterling silver ready made necklace. See above.

I plan on making a quick Chain Maille bracelet and putting the other little charms on it. Hopefully, I'll be able to show that tomorrow.

We were all talking on the way home about the new ideas going around in our heads. Great fun learning something new, especially with good friends.

B


www.bevsjewelry.com and www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com

Viking Knit 2

Well, taxes are pretty much finished, so I started again on my Viking Knit necklace. The first thing you do is to cut the wires and remove the chain from the dowel. Then add some thicker wire at the top and bottom, catching all the little loops in the row.



This allows you to pull the chain through the draw plate. The first hole is the size of the dowel and then gradually get smaller. As you pull the chain through the draw plate the chain lengthens and gets smaller. This is when the uneven tension is supposed to get better. It did some but not as much as I would have liked. So, that is something I really need to improve.








This is almost finished now. Next, to add cones and pendant if desired and clasp


So, in a future post, I'll have the finished necklace.


B

Swarovski necklace and bracelet

While I really like to make silver Chain Maille, using beautiful Swarovski crystals is also fun. When I found the two hole Swarovski/marquisette components I had a challenge to use them together. Oh, the choices! This is my take on using two sizes of jet Swarovski crystals and the butterfly component.

The components are available in many different patterns but this is the one I like the best.

Next, of course, came a matching bracelet. Well, I did make an all jet bracelet, but I thought I'd show a jet and garnet. It is not easy to see the two colors in the picture.




Actually, the color combinations are many. I also like the blue sapphire color too. Emerald is good too.




Which color do you prefer?


B

Kazuri Necklace

I showed these Kazuri beads in a previous post. I purchased them last Saturday at the Innovative Bead show. My initial plan was to make a bracelet from the three beads. But that turned out not to be a good option since the length of the three beads together didn't fit well on a wrist. (At least not my wrist - so I figured it wouldn't on anyone else's either.)

Next, my thoughts went to making a bracelet from the flat round bead and use the other cube shaped beads for earrings. That idea didn't seem to work either since I think the cube beads are a bit heavy for earrings. At least for my taste.

The next step was easy. Make a necklace. I had some nice silver noodles that I had planned to use in the bracelet. So, I added some green Swarovski bicones and some Bali daisy spacers and voila a necklace. And the roll goes on!

The necklace is about 18 inches long and I added a 2 inch extender.

I've posted it on my 1000 Markets web site. Come check it out at http://www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com/

B

Bone and Swarovski Necklace

I get my inspiration from many places. Sometimes it is very clear where the inspiration comes from. Other times not so much. Usually, the beads you find will "speak" to you. Often just moving beads around on your work table will just fall together and say : "I'm a new piece - just put me together"

Well, this necklace's "inspiration" is not like that at all. I saw it on a web site. Often bead suppliers offer ideas for necklaces, bracelets. The object, of course, is to show how their beads and other supplies can be used. Normally when I see such a suggestion, I do not make it exactly as shown. But this time I did. Part of the appeal, for me anyhow, was that this is something different than I usually make. I can see other possibilities with the design, specifically using leather cord for part of the necklace. The oval shaped bone beads are combined with Swarovski crystals and some silver plated bead caps. The caps have a different shape and hold the bone beads flat. It is about 18 inches long and looks nice with casual clothes. (I may have to buy a new shirt to go with it ;-) but really it looks great with several I already have.

The supplier, by the way, is Auntie's Beads and their web site is http://www.auntiesbeads.com/. Check them out. They have some nice things.

B

Fiber Kumihimo Necklace

I was able to find a great focal pendant to go with the Kumihimo necklace I made on vacation. The Kumihimo fibers show beautifully (if I do say so) While it seems as if the fine beige fibers might be scratchy, they are not. In fact they are very soft and not a bit irritating.



We were out today doing some errands and were noticing the fall colors in the trees.They seem to be in the same pallet as my necklace. The only thing I do not like about fall is that it means winter is just around the corner. But I enjoy the cool fresh air and the lovely colors. The hot humid weather of summer is not a favorite of mine.



I still have some more fiber sets to work with and this makes me want to get started. So, off I go.



B

Clothes to go with your Jewelry

Two friends and I were meeting the other day to make our plans for an upcoming jewelry show we are going to have. The subject turned to clothes we buy and the fact that all three of us buy tops that will "show off" our jewelry best, usually plain necklines. One commented (she has trouble finding clothes that fit because she is so petite) that she will buy a top in every color when she finds something that fits well.




This got me to thinking about a possible post about buying clothes. So, I did a Google search on blouses, looking for some examples. Well, I came across these pictures with models wearing jewelry. Just had to share them.




Victoria's Secret - Faux-wrap bodysuit (Remember to hit the back arrow to return ;-)



Victoria's Secret - Sheer tux shirt (Remember to hit the back arrow to return ;-)



Are you back??



The other thing we do is to make jewelry to match our clothes and sometimes buy clothes to match a piece of jewelry we have made.

Ah, the dilema and the problems we have!

I've been trying to make my necklaces adjustable because of all the different necklines I have and how I need necklaces of different lengths to fit right. I assume others have the same problem.

I'll post some of those later.

B

New Adventurine Necklace

I've been working with "what I have on hand" lately. It always surprises me that I've purchased something for future use and never got to it.

So, I pulled out these lovely green Adventurine round beads. Well, guess what? I also had two matching Adventurine hearts.

Hmm... maybe they would go together. It can't be that simple can it? Yep! I just added some silver lined spacers, a silver clasp and I'm done. The necklace is a little longer that 18 inches and will retail for $24.95. (I only have one, however)

Looks pretty good, if I do say so myself.

I really need to go drawer hunting some more. I have two "shows" coming up and need some new items to show. This will go up on my web site soon. www.bevsjewelry.com

B

Another new necklace

It sometimes amazes me how I have everything I need on hand to make a "new" necklace. "Surprise, this goes with this and wouldn't it look good with this."

The style uses the same technique that I used with the necklace from the other day. It has no clasp and is adjustable. However, this one is very simple, just focusing on some pretty wooden beads. Again, a wear with everything necklace. Hope you all like it.

B

New Kumihimo

I made a new Kumihimo necklace. It is about 16 inches long made with black and gold seed beads. The pattern is a spiral with a gold tone hook clasp.

This is one of those go with everything pieces.

B

New Necklace

With my purchases about a month ago and the ones I just ordered on the web, I put together this necklace. Now my plan when I started was oh, so far from the results. I can't even remember how the path went. A little like the little kid in the comic Family Circus where the kid traces a crooked path all over the neighborhood on his way home.

Anyhow, it is made with leather cord, a new pendant, various other beads and most importantly a new (to me) method of making a necklace that will lengthen and shorten and no clasp. It is hard to see in the pictures but the leather cord doubles up to shorten. It fits over your head and then you can shorten it if you want.

Shortened necklace.

Let me know what you think of the new design.

B