I have been in a fugue state lately and one of the things that have taken a big hit in the process is jewellery making. I have been dealing with repeated infections and it has been difficult to work after college. Since I stopped operating at a business level, I have been lacking the motivation to create as well. Thankfully, I found a little motivation in the form of a gift giving opportunity. One of my students, my namesake was getting married and since I taught her jewellery making with metal, I decided to make her a simple beaded necklace with a textured metal pendant. In the process, I made two more pendant necklaces.
Though I was making simple pieces, I decided to challenge myself to use the beads and components that I already had in hand but in a novel way. I found some beads that I bought a decade ago and married them with relatively newer purchases.
Shira
I reimagined a semi-circular metal pendant that I cut while making a collection inspired by the moon (and Chandrayan’s voyage). After a clean-up and polish, I added patterns to it with patina ink and strung with beads in blues and greens.
Rosary
I started with a length of mala beads or rosary beads chain and attached them to a square multi-strand connector. To make the piece more contemporary, I added a selection of red (dyed) bamboo coral beads, red and black glass beads and silver metal spacers. It turned out to be a mixed-metal pendant necklace that is simple yet statement making when worn. This piece is available for sale.
Sitara
I have been seeing several reels of silk sarees online with contrast body and border. Watching them, I am reminded of colour combinations that I do not typically use. Blue and orange is one such combo. For this necklace, I used a combination of matt frosted blue beads, orange glass crystals and a casted pendant. I added a touch of patina ink to the pendant to balance the beads. This piece is available for sale.
While I have made simple pendant necklaces through bead stringing and looping, I have played with different pendnat shapes. The first is a handcut semi-circle in brass, the second is a square connector and the third is a casted brass pendant in tear drop shape. They all work at different lengths and suit different necklaces.
Would you like to know about pendant shapes and necklines? Or do you have a favorite pendant shape? I would love to know.
I hope you find it interesting
Cheers
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