Design Development

I recently purchased a necklace at the thrift store that inspired me to create a similar collection to post on Etsy and to sell at events. What appealed to me about the piece was the element of asymmetry encompassed in the symmetrical design.

I like pattern, regularity and predictability (symmetry) and have struggled in the past with creating asymmetrically. However, the randomness of asymmetry really makes a striking statement, I think. This sleek, simple design has the best of both worlds.

My first step was to go to my local bead shop to pick out a selection of natural stone beads the basic shapes and sizes I was looking for. I chose a variety of jasper, sardonyx, quartz, agate and jade.

Top row: Oval curved green line quartz, oval curved olive jade, oval carnelian sardonyx
Middle row: Oval red sardonyx, oval rice black agate, oval curved red sardonyx
Bottom row: Oval black sardonyx, oval sesame jasper, oval green line quartz

Next, I ordered the 3/8" bronze rings and wire that I needed. I decided to make my own chain elements rather than using the pre-made commercial kind. I opted for a modified mobius pattern because it's prettier than a double link chain, which was the other option I was considering.

I toyed with the idea of enhancing the bronze rings with a nice patina but my two experiments garnered me green and brassy yellow. Neither of those were acceptable for this project. Any other experiments would have required specific chemicals and time that I did not want to spend. I'll let them patina naturally. *smile*

I placed an online order for the other components (the clasps and decorative rings) I required and they showed up surprisingly quickly three days later. With everything in place, I began working on the prototype this past weekend.

The process was not without challenges. I had to heat the bronze wire I was using to string the beads on. The half-hard wire was too difficult for me to work with. Heating it, then letting it cool down, softened it to a more malleable state.

I had to play around with the lengths of chain too until the finished product met my requirements, hanging the way I wanted it to.

So, without further adieu, here is the completed prototype...

Each necklace I create in this series will be different, using various combinations of the beads I purchased. I'm tentatively calling the collection, 'Autumn Frolic'. What do you think of the name? Leave a comment with your thoughts or alternate suggestions.