The Jewel of My Eye: Crafting a Statement Necklace by Caprilicious

Hello everyone, how are you this fine weekend? It's been the worst summer for a long time and getting cold already. The nights are drawing in and soon we will leave home in the dark and it will be pitch black when we get back in our cars. Heigh Ho! And on we go, zooming towards the holiday that will brighten our lives and bring some cheer into our lives. 
You know how sometimes ordinary things can be turned into extraordinary masterpieces? Well, I had one of those moments and I couldn’t wait to tell you all about it. Picture this: a cozy afternoon, a burst of creative energy, and voila – a stunning piece that’s going to take center stage on my next statement necklace.

Allow me to introduce you to the newest gem in my jewelry collection! Yes, I made this gorgeous beauty myself from a sudden burst of inspiration. Go ahead, take a good look at the picture. Impressive, right? Let me give you a little backstory on this dazzling creation.
Bored with the usual bezel of peyote stitch, I decided to try something totally different to enhance this stone and scoured You Tube for a design tutorial. I found one by a lady who calls her channel Timeless Creations. The first problem is that she doesn't speak at all while she teaches, and the other problem is that I Neenafy the tutorial - I almost always change the size and shape of the beads so the end product never looks like the tutorial!
I changed the size of the beads surrounding the central agate (which was already larger than the stone in the tute) from 6mm round beads to glittering faceted haematite flat heishi beads, so it no longer resembles the finished product in the tutorial. That kind of substitution always leaves me struggling with bead numbers and sizes, but I secretly enjoy the problems caused by my stupid insistence on doing my own thing and rebelling against my teacher, the You Tube video. You can only imagine what I was like at school. A rebel, with the only cause being making more trouble for herself!

I stumbled upon this vibrant green stone that looked like it was dipped in magic. Its deep hues reminded me of the lush forests of some far-off land where unicorns probably frolic. And then there’s that intriguing, glimmering center – it’s like a secret portal to another world! Okay, maybe I’ve been watching too many fantasy movies, but you get the idea.
Now, as much as I adore this stone, I knew it needed a little extra something to truly shine. Enter the trusty beads and some twinkling silver accents. After a couple of hours, a few pricked fingers, and a whole lot of “just one more bead,” this little marvel was born. 

Slipper animalcule or Paramecium

Unfortunately, the haematite beads are not visible in the finished bezel to the extent that their beauty demands - perhaps I should have put in a silver bead column after every third haematite? Who knows? I did think about it but worried that the bezel might not be strong enough for the piece of agate. The haematite is just visible, sparkling quietly away in the distance, behind the brash silvertone Miyuki beads. 
Anyway, the pendant, that once resembled a slipper animalcule (there, that proves I did listen at school) is now completed and looks perfectly credible - even beautiful, if I say so myself. And what about that beautiful fat baroque pearl dangling from the bottom edge of the pendanr - like a cherry on top of an elegant sparkling sundae!

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But here’s the best part – this gem isn’t just going to sit pretty in my collection. Oh no, it’s destined for greatness! I know exactly how and what it is going to end up as. This lovely piece will soon be the highlight of a bold, statement necklace. You know the kind – the ones that make people stop and say, “Wow, where did you get that?” I can’t wait to see it paired with a simple dress and let it do all the talking. It’s going to be one of those “I woke up like this” moments, but with a lot more planning and a lot less bedhead. 

So, if you ever find yourself craving a little sparkle in your life, remember: sometimes the most amazing pieces come from a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of fun, and in my case, a bit of rebelliousness. Keep an eye out for the upcoming necklace – who knows, you might just find your next favorite accessory. 

That's me for this week folks, have a wonderful weekend and I'll most likely catch you next weekend with the finished article.
Until then, stay fabulous and keep shining!
xx