Stupid Beading Tricks: The Mother’s Day set
Posted May 16th, 2008 by Kimberly Dowd
17″ necklace: Sterling silver toggle and crimp beads, pressed flower pendant from Lily Studios, 6mm amethyst beads, silver and purple seed beads.
Earrings: 24gauge sterling silver wire, sterling silver ear wires, beads from above, and 4mm purple Swarovski crystals.
It’s a HUGE leap of faith in oneself to rely strictly on one’s own skill when making a gift for somebody else. I had started planning this out at the end of March. I bought the amethyst beads (her birthstone). I made the necklace. I screwed it up. I took it apart.
I decided I wanted to do some exquisite wirework on the necklace. I bought the silver wire. I realized I had no wireworking skills. Nor do I have a jeweler’s hammer, anvil/bench block, or jig. I abandoned the project and started thinking about going to Macy’s for a top for her.
Two weeks ago, I thought “Screw it.” and strung the necklace again. Two days later, I saw the pressed flower pendant in a bead magazine. Mom LOVES the pressed flowers exhibits at the Philadelphia Flower Show every year. I ordered the pendant.
It arrived the day before Mother’s Day. I restrung the necklace. But I needed more. So I decided to break out the unused silver wire and make earrings.
DO YOU KNOW HOW *(#%^@(* HARD IT IS TO TWIST TWO IDENTICAL EARRINGS???? I SURE DIDN’T!!!
Sorry for yelling. And I know they’re don’t look 100% identical. But they’re ARTISAN, dammit! (twitch)
Long story short, she loved them, and once I verify that the earring wires don’t break, sproing open and slash Mom’s jugular, I may make a few of that style for myself!
