Matching Your Favorite Necklace Lengths to Your Favorite Necklines

re: Matching Your Favorite Necklace Lengths to Your Favorite Necklines

crazycatladybj — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 15:17:36 GMT

@ jgm3- Great comment. Awesome suggestions. Hope an editor somewhere is reading your comment!

re: Matching Your Favorite Necklace Lengths to Your Favorite Necklines

scotticohn — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:19:15 GMT

Great article and comments! I agree with jgm3 about the other things to take into consideration. I tend to design pieces to go with specific tops or outfits already in my wardrobe. My mother recently asked me if I decide what I'm going to wear for an occasion and then design a necklace to match... and I said, "Why, yes, I do!" I have a personal dislike for long necklaces on big-busted women. I am not terribly large, but large enough that I really don't like the look of a necklace jutting out and down from my "shelf." Unfortunately, that leaves me with shorter lengths that draw the eye to my wrinkly neck. (Sigh)

re: Matching Your Favorite Necklace Lengths to Your Favorite Necklines

alsdaughter — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:37:29 GMT

I usually use lobster clasps to finish off a necklace and add a detachable extender chain of at least 2 inches. I use a fairly sturdy chain (I learned my lesson with cheap, flimsy chains) with links large enough to fasten the lobster clasp to anywhere along the chain. Beadalon makes a very sturdy, attractive and inexpensive chain for this type of use. For interest and consistency, I also usually add a bead or two (from the necklace composition) on a headpin, fastened with a wrapped loop to the last link in the chain. Not only does the extender chain accommodate different necklines, it can also accommodate different size necks if you're making something for someone else or for sale.

re: Matching Your Favorite Necklace Lengths to Your Favorite Necklines

jgm3 — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:37:17 GMT

I think all these suggestions are good ones, but the point would be so much better illustrated if "do" and "don't" pictures were used. Also, weight and age figure into this issue rather substantially. Women who are aging often don't want to bring attention to their necks by wearing a shorter necklace. Women who are heavy must consider several things - not only the length, but the visual weight of the necklace. Whether the shirt is solid, striped, or patterned will also make a difference, as will the mood of the outfit - you likely wouldn't wear something whimsical with a black suit, for example, and casual clothing calls for a less structured design than a suit would. These issues are seldom addressed in beading magazines, and I think they should be. They help a designer define her brand; are you designing for weddings, office, casual, etc., identify her customer base, and help find a direction. I've had to discover most of the solutions to these issues on my own, and would love to see them get more coverage in beading publications.

re: Matching Your Favorite Necklace Lengths to Your Favorite Necklines

lizzzzzy — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:14:44 GMT

I think I'm a little less practical. I wear solid neutral colors as a canvas for the jewelry. My only rule is to make sure the necklace doesn't disappear behind the blouse. The extension chain is a great idea (Bead Soup Chef). I use them myself but hadn't considered selling them with the necklaces. People have such varied preferences that unless you're making a custom piece, it's a challenge to decide on a length that will work for everyone because nothing does. 18" on one person is better at 19-1/2" on another.

re: Matching Your Favorite Necklace Lengths to Your Favorite Necklines

Kat West — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 13:54:17 GMT

Don't forget about color-If the fabric is close to the overall color of the necklace, the jewelry just disappears. Choose something contrasty or neutral if you want that piece to pop.

Kat West

re: Matching Your Favorite Necklace Lengths to Your Favorite Necklines

Bead Soup Chef — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 12:05:40 GMT

If I'm making a necklace for a particular top, I try on existing necklaces to find one the right length, then measure it. When the necklace I'm making is the same length (including the clasp), I'm done! Making them for others is a little trickier; an extension chain then becomes a nice addition to a necklace, to allow the customer to adjust the length once they get it home.

Betty Winslow