Today is the big reveal for the Pearls, Pearls, Pearls Blog Hop graciously hosted by Shel at MiShel Designs.
I love pearls, especially baroque or unusual ones. When I first started making jewelry, pearls were my favorite thing to buy and also to use. One of my favorite necklaces is a long continuous strand of assorted pearls and seed beads like the necklace above. It can be worn as a single necklace, doubled, tripled or wrapped many times around as a bracelet. Even though I love pearls and have a large selection, I have trouble using them in my designs - and especially photographing them.
I made a bracelet for the blog hop. This was not really what I intended, but one thing turned into another
and this became one big, happy accident. I'm happy with the bracelet, but I'm especially happy with the things I learned while making the bracelet.
The pearls are 3 - 3.5 mm round AAA white pearls that I purchased in a bulk buy online. They are very nice quality, but certainly not perfect. I have at least 4 strands like this in my stash, so I must like to buy them a lot. They are paired with gold filled findings and flat blue dyed jade rectangles that I received in an order the other day from Fire Mountain Gems. The stones are strung on elastic, and I love that this bracelet slides on and off without needing a clasp.
The overall look of the bracelet is pretty elegant and demure, much more so than I intended. I was trying to simply combine the pearls into a long rectangle, similar to an identity bracelet. What I found was that the 3 rows of pearls were too long to lay nicely - which is when I decided to add the two gold spacer bars. I've never used spacer bars before, but I love the way they transformed this piece. As soon as I added them, the 3 rows of pearls picked up a curve that hugs the top of my wrist. I love that! It makes the bracelet perfectly comfortable and worked well with my plan to use elastic.
Now, there is as much wrong with this bracelet as there is right. Some more things that I love: the blue jade with the pearls. It gives such a regal feel - as if they are sapphire or kyanite. I love the elastic since I don't think anyone would expect that this is a 'stretchy' bracelet.
The things that are wrong and need to be redesigned... Well, I hate the loops where the pearl bars are connected. When I make this style again (and I will!), I will try flat paddles or a loop that is less obvious and won't get caught on things. Also, because pearls have such darn small holes, the wire I used is 24g. I know that won't hold up to a lot of wear and tear, so I would need to either do some reaming or use glass pearls or other beads with larger holes.
Please visit the other participants in the blog hop since I'm sure there is lots of great work and variety. I hope you enjoyed my pearl bracelet - I know I enjoyed making it, and it really gave me some great ideas of things to try in the future.
Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! Blog Hop Participant List:
Very nice bracelet! I love how you explained everything about it, too. I think the blue definitely gives it an elegant look/feel and those pearls are super gorgeous. I didn't even realize that it was a stretchy bracelet until you mentioned it - those always feel so wonderful to wear, don't they?! I'm not sure how I would go about 'fixing' the loops of the pearl connectors - not that they need fixing, but I understand your concern w/the small gauge of wire and it being dainty on not as durable as you would like. Let me know what you come up with! Thanks for participating - your bracelet is just beautiful!! I'm so glad you joined in the hop and that you love pearls, too!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pearl creations! I love the varity of colors in the long necklace. The blue color of the jade go very well with the white pearls in your bracelet.
Therese
I see what you mean about the loops. I wouldn't have noticed it on my own, but since you pointed it out I can imagine they would snag on things. The color combination is lovely.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I totally forgot to mention your awesome necklace - LOVE it! I like the color palette (I cannot seem to mix colors like this - you did a fabulous job and they all just flow together!) and I really like the use of all the different pearls and the shapes mixed together - very 'organic' and something I would wear everyday! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experiences designing the bracelet. it's always so helpful to know about the design process, glitches and successes. And I love the result! the deep blue and creamy pearls is a lovely combination, too.
ReplyDeleteLynda
Love your bracelet, Lisa. It's amazing the things we learn about ourselves and our designs when we explain and analyze our designs. I think your bracelet is beautiful, I would love to know what "fix" you decide on and how this design will evolve. Great job! Gina H
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pearl pieces! I am really drawn to the simple natural beauty of that pearl seed bead necklace ;)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the hop ;)
Lovely designs. Great Pearl colors in the necklace and the blue bracelet is so feminine! Thanks for all the details about your designs.
ReplyDeletereally lovely designs! I like the natural colors in the necklace, and how simple but elegant the bracelet is. Both are just great!
ReplyDeletei like that really lovely long multiple wrap...the colors,simplicity, the versatility...just a great piece!
ReplyDeleteand the bracelet is beautiful! what a gorgeous blend of structure and flexibility.
I definitely like the blue, and the design is oh so delicate! And I agree with you about the loops as well. Maybe you can add dangles there? Or chains?
ReplyDeleteLisa, I didn't know about the blog hop but I like your bracelet very much the design is quite unusual and having no clasp really is a nice idea, well done
ReplyDeleteJackie
Hi Lisa. Blue with the pearls is a great color combo! I sat and thought what you could do about the loops on the ends and maybe next time you could leave looong wire tails and wire wrap them around the ends so that it is a design element and then hopefully would not catch on things when you wear it. Just a thought. : )
ReplyDeleteI love the necklace with all the different color and shaped pearls. I would totally wear this one on a regular basis!
I'm glad you showed us both pieces. I love the color combinations in both--with a special fondness for that particular shade of blue and white in the bracelet. The bracelet design looks challenging, but looks so nice on your arm!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pieces. I see what you mean though about the loops...I love doing challenges so that I can learn new things so that when I do them again, I will know NOT what to do. Great job. Thanks for Sharing!
ReplyDeleteBTW - my blog veradesigns.blogspot.com
we have manypearl jewelry collection pearl jewelry collection like rings,earrings,bangles etc.In witch rings and earrings are so famous.There are many design avaliable here like classic,fusion,fashion and cluster.there are plenty of designs available in indian market or in indian online store from where you can find pearl jewellery easily
ReplyDeleteLisa, your long pearl necklace is such a classic and wearable with so many things - I know I would find a way to wear it all the time! ;) Your bracelet turned out beautifully as well...looks so complex with the 3 pearl strands. Thanks for sharing the ins and outs about the process!
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