unfinished Red Crystals-- updated photos

 Ok, so I've had these huge cut glass beads for a while now, just strung on some sheer ribbon and knotted into place. Anyway, DH's youngest sister is getting married in January, and her colors are Red and Navey blue. SO, I decided to break these out and create a statement piece. I was playing around when I discovered that these leaf bead caps fit these perfectly. And thus the idea for a red and silver bib necklace was born. Now, I think I've got it mostly done. BUT I'm not totally confident. It's not the kind of thing I normally design, so I want some feed back. I have to decide how to end the wires below the large red beads. Not sure if I like the idea of dangles or not.... so what does everyone think?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/4073779112_c0657e03e3.jpg

Lois

That looks so nice - I love it =)

I like it too.  I'm thinking you could just use the end wire to make some sort of decorative spiral or flourish so it doesn't have to dangle anything and it would look fine.

First I want to say that this is a great piece and I love the bold crystals and the bead caps.

Yes, I think spirals at the end would look nice. Dangles might be a bit too much.

For my eyes the centerpiece ends a bit "abrupt", if I can say so. So maybe you can add a headpin to each side with two or three of the smaller crystals to make the ends of the centerpiece more smooth, like a collar that decreases towards the sides and the back of the neck. I hope I explained it understandably!

 First Lois it's beautiful.  I don't like to give advice every designer sees and works differently. 

I think the beads on top of the chain would look better if they were a little smaller, unless they are.  I can't tell from the picture. 

I agree with Dagi,  the overall look would look better if it had a graduated effect.  Bigger beads in front getting smaller in back. 

Lois your instincts are good, I think you know best.

jeannie

Lois,

Spectacular! I love the red.  I am leaning towards what Dagi said with the graduating of beads up the neckline.  Great color!  You do wonderful work.

cb

 Thanks all for the comments and ideas. Funny, when I was FIRST playing with this, I had the stations more graduated than they are now. As I was putting it together, I changed it. Just like tests-- your first instinct is usually best! I'll play with it a bit more and post revised version photos.

Lois

Lois -

I love this - it's so unique.  Like others, I think it needs to be graduated a bit. 

Can't wait to see the updates.

Lita

 Ok, I didn't add any more stations, but I did graduate them more. THis was how I had originally laid it out.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2797/4076349616_5d262ae1c1.jpg

Lois

Love it .... even better than the first try =)

 I agree Inca, much better balance and curve. STILL can't figure out why I changed it when I went to assemble it.

Lois

 I definately like the graduated design better and I think a simple coil of the wire, maybe hammered, would look very nice below each bead.  The necklace is really fun, I love the red and silver.  Looking forward to the finished design.  Thanks for sharing.

 Lois,

This came out SOOO nice! I love how you changed to the graduated sizes, and the silver leaves over the red is a wonderful combination! The whole design is very festive....congrats!

                                                                             Evalie

Yup, graduated is good.  The only other thought I had was since her colors are navy & blue to change the clear crystals to blue ones (I think FMG even has a 2-tone blue/red color), but if that's not what she wants then never mind.

Here's an example, though you can't see the blue in it very well in this pic.  These are Czech rondels-the 2-tone comes in two different sizes.

Lois -

This version rocks!

Have you thought about fulfilling the graduation and adding an additional crystal to the center set?

I wouldn't do anything elaborate with the bottom wires, it would detract from the leaves wrapping around the big crystals - which are very elegant.  Maybe just a simple loop and a matching drop crystal?

Lita