Pulling the Whole Piece Together With Neckline Design

A fabulous necklace focal needs a fabulous frame, just the same as a nifty bead needs just the right bead cap.

But maybe you're like me:    Sometimes I wear my little self out with the focal.....and just want to finish the project.   The easiest way is just grab some chain and hang that thing so I can wear it.

More often than not, however,  I find that I'll put the focal aside and wait til lightning strikes.  I've learned the power of adding just the right neckline treatment to my focal.   In so many cases, it can take a piece that's cool and interesting to one that POPS!

That's really important if you're selling your work, too....don't you agree?

Today's video addresses the burning question about necklace design/treatments.    To be honest, I guess it really only begins to address the issue!   This issue could be a series of classes or an entire book, as there is much to be said.   Just like Project Runway!   Why does one idea work and another not?   Or is it just in the eye of the beholder?

Hmmmmmm.....

Anyway, here is today's video is called Good Necklace Design, and here's the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KACjTM3la8w  

As I'm re-watching the video I see that it's a little dark in spots....and I didn't have enough time to finish the project I was working on, on camera.   Here are some photos:

I 'worked' the neckline of this piece by drilling Tim Holtz trinket pins so I could use them as connectors.   I also made beaded sections on wire (gypsy beading) and connected with jumps so that I could dangle little oxidized Tim Holtz safety pins from them.  I used our hammered bead and link chain from B'sue Boutiques at the back, doubled up.   I used the two beaded links I made on camera as well as an elongated faux-amber bead that I bound and wrapped with copper wire.

The centerpiece is the brass ox filigree I turned silver in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZyuPyqEIHY and it's wrapped with another filigree from the video that I made the funky Russian color with the Pinotage base.   It's then topped with a backless bezel set with ICE resin and inlaid with all sorts of little inclusions, including text.

I finished it by wrapping the base of the bezel with glued on 2mm vintage brass rhinestone chain, which you will find at B'sue Boutiques right here:

http://www.bsueboutiques.com/item/Simulated-Imitation-Crystal-Rhinestone-Chain-7619

Here is a closeup of the focal:

You might remember this Steampunk style resin bezel that I poured in an old watch case,  some time ago:

Finally today, I finished it and did the neckline treatment:

I was wearing it in the video, as a matter of fact.  

 I made some beaded sections, also, I used a drilled trinket pin. Drilling them  is so easy to do---you can do it with a hole punch like we carry at the site:  http://www.bsueboutiques.com/item/Screw-Type-Hole-Punch-3-32-and-1-16-Size-6391

Here's where to find the trinket pins.... I tend to think they might also make cool earring drops! WHY NOT.  http://www.bsueboutiques.com/shop/index.php?keywords=trinket+pins  

I also used the Tim Holtz plaquette (*57*--no! that's NOT my age---YET! LOL)  as a side focal and finished the necklace with a choker I always had and loved, but was too tight for my fat neck.  I kind of like its chunkiness with the large inlaid watch case, and it adds just a little color.

But I dunno....I may take it off and keep working the neckline.   What do you think?

 

Comments

[Brenda Sue Lansdowne]

You know what....looking at that focal on the first piece, I realize I hooked it in the wrong place!

[Deb Bee]

I'm glad you posted that watch piece because I was looking for that this a.m. and couldn't find it.

[Deb Bee]

I think you should switch the necklaces with the pendants. I think the top pendant would look better with the bottom necklace and the top necklace would look better with the watch.

[Cindy]

Thank you for your insight & I think you finished piece is gorgeous - love the finish/colors you used around the neckline.

[Brenda Sue Lansdowne]

A very candid comment from Deb....the watch piece is quite heavy. The chain on the other piece might not support it properly. I am not altogether certain I will leave the large watch case pendant like this. Easily swapped out! But it will have to be something chunky and heavy.