{Craft Time}: Swarovski Crystal Beaded Necklace & OOTD: 7/10/12

(tryin' something new here.........)

Sweater: J Crew Linen Cable Knit sweater, sz.XS

Pants: J Crew Factory Skimmer Pants, sz. 2

Belt: Talbots

Shoes: Nine West

Bag: J Crew

Necklace/bracelet: made by me

Usually during the summer, I go on a jewelry making kick. I love 'crafting' but I don't have any true artistic talent (painting, sculpting, drawing are far beyond me) but I can slap some beads onto string without too much trouble. Sometimes it's successful, as with my rendition of J Crew's bubble necklace, and sometimes it's not. Sometimes the project comes together quickly, and I can crank out a piece in a matter of hours, and sometimes the project sits half finished for weeks. Either way, it keeps my idle hands busy during my summer vacation, and sometimes a wearable piece comes out of the process.

My latest attempt worked out pretty darn well, if I do say so myself:

I also made a yellow and black version:

I have a similar lavender necklace with silver findings in the works, but with classes now started, I haven't quite finished it yet.

 I bought all the supplies from Fusionbeads.com, and there wasn't a whole heck of a lot of technique involved. Probably the hardest part was using a wire wrapping technique to attach the smaller  Swarovski crystal piece to the larger filigree piece. But really, even with no prior experience, I was able to manage that fine. Other than that, it's just stringing beads and tying knots.

If anyone is interested in re-creating the piece, here is the copied invoice from my order:

SKU	Description	Qty	Price	Total
BM1001	13.5x10.5mm Gold Plated Base Metal Filigree Drop with Loop 1 piece	2	0.84	1.68
BM1023	34mm Gold Plated Base Metal Round Filigree with Pointed Edges 1 piece	2	2.51	5.02
BM1036	13.5x10.5mm Silver Plated Base Metal Filigree Drop with Loop 1 piece	2	0.87	1.74
BM1058	34mm Silver Plated Base Metal Round Filigree with Pointed Edges 1 piece	1	2.79	2.79
BM2363	25.5x11mm Silver Plated Hook & Eye Clasp 1 set	1	1.05	1.05
BM2364	25.5x11mm Gold Plated Hook & Eye Clasp 1 set	2	1.05	2.10
BM2531	2mm Silver Plated Brass Round Crimp Bead 1 piece	8	0.06	0.48
BM2532	2mm Gold Plated Brass Round Crimp Bead 1 piece	15	0.06	0.90
BM2767	6mm Silver Plated Base Metal 20 Gauge Open Jump Ring 1 piece	10	0.05	0.50
BM2768	6mm Gold Plated Base Metal 20 Gauge Open Jump Ring 1 piece	20	0.08	1.60
BM3112	0.38x11.5mm Gold Plated Base Metal 3 Strand Spacer Bar 1 piece	4	0.11	0.44
BM3115	0.38x10mm Silver Plated Base Metal 2 Strand Spacer Bar 1 piece	4	0.09	0.36
BM3116	0.38x10mm Gold Plated Base Metal 2 Strand Spacer Bar 1 piece	4	0.11	0.44
CN3186	6mm Silver Plated Round Link Rollo Chain 6 inches	2	1.62	3.24
CN3192	6mm Matte Gold Plated Round Link Rollo Chain 6 inches	3	2.16	6.48
GL1314	6mm Light Amethyst Round Czech Pressed Glass Bead 50 pieces	4	2.26	9.04
GL2976	4mm Milky Yellow Round Czech Pressed Glass Bead 50 pieces	6	1.59	9.54
GL3375	6mm Light Jade Opal Round Czech Pressed Glass Bead 50 pieces	5	4.14	20.70
PW1019	12x15mm 3 Strand Gold Plated Pewter End Bar Link 1 piece	2	0.75	1.50
RI2020	15mm Crystal Swarovski Elements Crystal Silver Plated Filigree 1 piece	1	3.36	3.36
RI2033	15mm Crystal Swarovski Elements Crystal Gold Plated Filigree 1 piece	1	3.36	3.36
RI2042	15mm Jet Swarovski Elements Crystal Gold Plated Filigree 1 piece	1	3.36	3.36
Subtotal				$79.68

The only supplies used that weren't included in the list are some fine gauge dead-soft silver wire for attaching the two filigree pieces, nylon stringing material, a beading needle, and a jewelry pliers (I already had those on hand). The Czech Pressed glass beads come in about a gazillion different colors and sizes, so really the color possibilities are endless. You could go with larger beads (like 10 mm) for a one-strand necklace and that would simplify things immensely, or go with smaller beads for a 4 or 5 strand necklace for a bolder look. Also, the cost looks a little high because: a. I over-bought on the glass beads intending to make bracelets out of the extra beads (as seen in above outfit photos), and b. the cost is for 3 necklaces.  I think the look could be achieved for less if plastic beads and non-Swarovski crystals were used (those things are expensive!)

I'm telling myself it looks J Crew-esque. Probably you could find a made-in-China knock-off on eBay for a heck of a lot less, but where's the fun in that?