The Final Mystery

brightcircle wrote

on Sep 12, 2010 2:28 PM

The other day, I sat down to finally make a bracelet that my sister had sketched for me, to use the special Sphinx gold bead from Green Girl Studios (I have a bit of a problem designing with Special Beads, which Green Girl beads always are). I dutifully pulled out the bag she'd put together containing all the beads required (gold bead, black lava coins, topaz crystal rondelles), and began to string theprescribed pattern of gold bead on the end, then alternating lava and crystal rondelles paired with tiny silver spacers.

But I found I didn't want to make a simple bracelet. Then inspiration hit me--I strung a topaz/gold Scooplet beaded bead in between the last two lava coins, and the necklace snowballed from there. I went on up the side of what I realized was fast becoming a necklace, stringing my remaining topaz crystal rondelles between silver spacers and gold seed beads, finishing with a flourish--a long loop of gold seed beads back down the strand. The other side would be a single strand, so to balance the lighter but double strand of the first side,  I pulled out some darker topaz/amber pressed and faceted glass, ending again with a loop of seed beads connecting with the first loop. A gold filigree navette clasp near the sphinx bead completed the necklace.

The sphinx bead reads 'the final mystery is oneself'.

MysticP wrote

on Sep 12, 2010 3:33 PM

You're like me, LOL ... following a set of instructions doesn't always work ... the beads "speak" to you and go in another direction.

This is stunning!!! I love those black beds, and the gold against them is gorgeous!!!! If your sister doesn't like it, I take donations :)

NicoleT24 wrote

on Sep 12, 2010 5:58 PM

Oh my how DRAMATIC! I totally dig this! The black and gold are so rich and the a-symetrical design is totally yum.

Yep, you did the right thing by taking this the next step for SURE. Winner!!

Evalie wrote

on Sep 12, 2010 6:47 PM

Your combination of beads is phenomenal ! Love it when the muse sits on your shoulder and moves a design in an unplanned direction......wonderful !

JSmaz wrote

on Sep 13, 2010 1:19 AM

I like how that turned out.  The simple loops & swirls of the seed beads are neat and the overall design just speaks to me. Hope your sis loves it!

Looking at this plus your wire/gemstone link idea has just made a lightbulb go off for me-I need to go sketch something now...

CryssT wrote

on Sep 13, 2010 10:55 AM

what a great looking necklace. very rich looking and the asymmetry is great.

Cat_P wrote

on Sep 13, 2010 11:30 AM

You know I can tell immediately when something posted is yours even before reading the thread- Your named pieces say it all!

I kept looking for the clasp in this and at first couldn't find it - it flows nicely with the design :)

Pretty cool piece Jess!

Kokopelli wrote

on Sep 13, 2010 4:18 PM

That's the freedom of the artist! It looks great!

brightcircle wrote

on Sep 13, 2010 8:26 PM

My sister loved where I took her initial design, and it's an honor to inspire people here to try something new. :)

It's totally cool to hear my titles have a recognizable style--I do try to give my pieces memorable titles.

KristieJ3 wrote

on Sep 15, 2010 7:06 PM

Wow, this is gorgeous! Love it!