PART 1: The Thought
I have had my mom on my mind quite a bit again lately, as I related in my last couple of posts. As you likely know by now, my mother passed away about 3 years ago.
The reminiscing probably started near Christmas, as that was always a special time for our family growing up.
I got to thinking about the jewelry I had made for my mom over the years. When I look back on it now, it wasn't very good, technically speaking. I didn't know about the wonder of handmade art beads! I hadn't learned yet how to harden wire, so things always ended up a bit bendy! I mostly made her long pendants she could slip over her head--she liked that--and attached to sterling silver chains. (Who knew the price of those would shoot up so!) Regardless of my skill level, she wore the jewelry proudly and that gave me confidence to keep trying.
My recent thought was that I wish my mom could see how my jewelry making has progressed the last year or so. I still have so very far to go, but I've come a long way too. It would be so nice to make her something now.
Along came the announcement of Lori Anderson's "Memories and Thanks Blog Hop," and I immediately thought, this is my perfect opportunity to make something inspired by the memory of my mother!
PART 2: The Planning
I set myself to planning for this necklace immediately. I searched and searched for the "perfect" beads...and finally found them!
Beautifully rich colors of deep pink, gold,
green, black and white
in a lovely floral pattern.
9 handmade round polymer clay beads by
I planned a simple design, using bright brass chain:
And every so often inserting one of the polymer beads surrounded by various shades of pink Swarovski bicone crystals.
The more I plotted, I decided I wanted to include this lovely piece by
Rebekah Payne of
"Tree Wings Studio" as a focal with chain and crystals dangling from it. I was so excited at my finds, each of which I thought would be perfect for a piece of jewelry in honor of my mother.
But it was not to be...
As I started to work, an eye condition I have worsened again, and I couldn't see the chain well enough to work with it, couldn't see the wire well enough to find the bicone holes and to wrap the fine wire required for this project. I was frustrated beyond words! Frustrated to tears...
And after several hours, I picked myself up and started all over again.
PART 3: The New Plan
...and What I Remembered About My Mom
I dug through my bead containers, searching and searching for something that might work in its place. I felt like this was a gift for my mom, and I had to have SOMETHING I could offer. I knew the beads must be large, no requirement for wire wrapping, and it still had to look like something my mom would want to wear.
I came up with this instead:
Large gray multifaceted beads, with amber-colored glass bicones, 3 silver plated-lintel beads with a leafy pattern....
and smoky gray clear faceted crystals on the sides
I used a silver ox chain chain in the back with plenty of room to slip over the head without using a clasp,
just the way Mom liked it.
This necklace reminds me a bit more of my Mom in her younger years, when she dressed up more. The necklace I had planned was more for her later years when she loved brighter colors like pink and blue and aqua.
While I was so disappointed I couldn't make the necklace I set out to make, I realized as I worked that it really didn't matter. It wouldn't have mattered to her. No matter whether there were artbeads, no matter if there was twisted wire or a strung necklace, no matter what, she would have worn what I made and proudly told others I had made it. And I would have felt so good about her approval and sincerity.
I miss my mom for so many reasons, this is just one. But I loved her so, and offer this necklace in memory of her.
My thanks to
Lori Anderson for organizing this event. I hope you will take time to visit the blog sites of the other participants listed below. I'm sure they all have beautiful jewelry to show and heartwarming stories to share.
~Sharyl
If the links below do not work for you, please go to
Lori's "Pretty Things" blog so you can quickly link to each site Thank you!
