The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Chatter
on “All Wired Up”:“Sorry, Becky...I meant to respond to your question about the waxed linen, too. The coating does wear…” read »
on “Sea Breeze”:“Very cool! I especially love the sun and the silk!…” read »
on “All Wired Up”:“Lynda, thank you, it makes sense to me
…” read »- on “Close to my Heart”:
“I see a family heirloom. What a personal, beautiful expression of motherhood.…” read »
on “Fortunate mistake”:“Mistakes often lead to new and fantastic discoveries. Just look at how goldstone was invented. Hope…” read »
on “My seashore stack bracelets”:“Awesome!…” read »
- on “Fortunate mistake”:
“What a great outcome! Love the effect it had on the ammonite, and those rondelles are…” read »
on “The Uh Ohs!”:“So cute!…” read »
- on “My seashore stack bracelets”:
“Love this!…” read »
- on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:
“Very, very nice!…” read »
- on “Fortunate mistake”:
“Me TOOOO!!!! What a cool outcome for a potential disaster!! You need to tell…” read »
on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:“Hi Becky-Yep, those are blue dyed zebra jasper beads.…” read »
- on “My seashore stack bracelets”:
“Very pretty
…” read » - on “Fortunate mistake”:
“I really like the effect
…” read » - on “Close to my Heart”:
“Not only did you save money, but you made something that is so close too your…” read »
- on “Nesting Instinct”:
“Love the idea, gorgeous work, Jess
…” read » - on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:
“Great piece, Coral, loving the asymmetry
…” read » - on “The Uh Ohs!”:
“Fun earrings
…” read » 
on “Nesting Instinct”:“Beautiful!!!…” read »
- on “Close to my Heart”:
“Beautiful necklace and sentiment, Jess! I love your style!!…” read »
- on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:
“Lovely design, Coral!! Are those blue dyed zebras?…” read »
- on “Nesting Instinct”:
“FAB-YOO-LOUS!!!!! WOW! Fantastic nestwork and SUCH a cute idea!!!! How are the kids?? Baby…” read »
- on “Close to my Heart”:
“Fabulous design for your mother necklace!…” read »
- on “Nesting Instinct”:
“Beautiful wire work in this, and that nest is so cute. I'm sure she will love…” read »
on “Peridot Pleasure”:“This beautiful Julia as always!…” read »
- on “Lavender and Tarragon in Blooms”:
“Beautiful!…” read »
- on “More the Merrier Re-design”:
“WOW!…” read »
- on “Turquoise Feather”:
“Pretty!…” read »
- on “Peacock Tail Feathers”:
“Lovely!…” read »
- on “All Wired Up”:
“Fabulous!…” read »
- on “Ebony & Ivory”:
“Great piece!…” read »
- on “Flowers and Butterflies”:
“Lovely!b…” read »
- on “The Uh Ohs!”:
“These are pretty!…” read »
- on “Nesting Instinct”:
“Gorgeous!==i…” read »
- on “Close to my Heart”:
“Great design!…” read »
- on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:
“Lovely!…” read »
- on “Sparkle Shine”:
“Beautiful necklace Coral!…” read »
- on “Maroon Sun”:
“Thank you Old Beaded Lady!!…” read »
on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:“Very pretty...perfect pairing of colors and materials!…” read »
Urban Reflections
About this design:
My piece Streamline Moderne was selected to be in a show entitled Urban Architecture. When I dropped it off the other day the curator said that he could use a another small piece or two to fill out the display. This morning I was hammering out some clasps and put some unintentional ripples in the copper. Before long I decided to make that hook a focal piece and create an upside down necklace to represent a watery reflection of an urban skyline.
Please note that this necklace would be perfect for someone who is sensitive to metal. All of the metal is up front where it would be protected by clothing.
Components:
Items used: 12G copper wire for the hook. Copper sealing washer (hammered) for the eye. Assorted jasper and magnesite beads, 18G copper wire for the links and 60 1b nylon fishing/Rosary twine.Read the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
On Sep 03, 2011 at 12:00 pm #
CAS says:Wonderful! I adore this piece and would wear it in a hot heartbeat without pause or question. Don’t you just love fortuitous mistakes.
On Sep 03, 2011 at 12:36 pm #
C Clark says:WOW – simple and fantastic. I love the focal hook.
On Sep 03, 2011 at 12:38 pm #
Little Round Chick says:Love it!
On Sep 03, 2011 at 1:47 pm #
Cotopaxi Chickie Sue says:Katherine, this is great, and I love the idea that people allergic to most metals can still wear this piece!
I love the twist in the focal hook – I can’t imagine how hard it was to make.
Great colors together, too!
On Sep 03, 2011 at 1:58 pm #
K H says:Sue, making a hook is a matter of making a simple loop at one end, the making a large open loop going the other direction, and pound it on the bench block, then making a wrapped loop at the other end. I think what “happened” was a combination of using really big wire and trying to make a really big loop – bigger than could be held in the Rosary pliers.
On Sep 03, 2011 at 3:34 pm #
Cotopaxi Chickie Sue says:Well Katherine, I was taught that there are no mistakes in wireworking – and you’ve just proved it!
On Sep 04, 2011 at 10:10 pm #
Batticat says:Definitely MY style to wear! I love the 3 different colors and shapes in the beads. The brightness of the copper is offset by the simplicity of your design and the contrast of the black twine. I like the rustic feeling a lot. (It’s actually only 10PM where I am. I saw the “2AM” above and got scared for a minute. : ) )
On Sep 05, 2011 at 2:58 pm #
Eeka Mouse says:Nice combo, Katherine! Will you be able to replicate the twisted hook????
On Sep 05, 2011 at 4:40 pm #
K H says:I’ll try, but for now it is OOAK
On Sep 06, 2011 at 6:20 pm #
Jewelry by Shannon says:This is so pretty! Love that large clasp. Congrats on being invited to Urban Architecture as well. SLS
On Sep 07, 2011 at 11:09 pm #
Chicky Zee aka Alice says:Beautiful!