Tutorial Tuesday - GORGEOUS Necklaces!

Some of you may know that a thousand years ago, I used to be a “jewelry designer.” The quotes are there because I was really a paralegal who had a very expensive bead habit. And I occasionally sold my creations. Here’s a little sampling of my most recent (2005 - that’s depressing) designs:

I still think they’re pretty (that one on the left is HAND-KNOTTED on red silk thread - yes, I’m bragging). I actually own (never sold) the red one and wore it the other day. Probably because my style is so PROGRESSIVE and I’m so far ahead of the styles today. (Newsflash - sweatpants and hoodies are going to be REALLY IN in about 5 years. Trust me.)

ANYWAY, not to undersell myself, but jewelry is actually really easy to make. Like crazy easy once you get the hang of it. Even the stuff that looks like it was made by a design team (read: a small blind child in India). Get the tools and the directions and you’re good to go. And I’m about to give you some tutorials with GREAT directions.

1. J.Crew Inspired Necklace. Wow. And even knowing how to make (amazing) necklaces, I might initially think this would be hard to make. YA BURNT! It’s not. And this tutorial gives you pretty dang good instructions.

2. Bird Nest Necklace. As you all know, I hate birds. But for some reason, I love bird-related items. As they say, “put a bird on it.”

3. Fancy Schmancy Pearl Necklace. This…I almost can’t even talk about it as there are NO WORDS to describe its amazingness. And this lady loves her pearls. Just call me Betty Draper (although, I’d really like to be called Joan Holloway - I just need a pen necklace).

4. Ombre Clay Bead Necklace. Before my fancy faceted gem addiction, I made necklaces like this. Listen. You guys, I swear I was NEVER a hippie or even liked the Grateful Dead. Believe me, I tried. It was the biggest rage in high school. Even “Touch of Grey” is barfy to me. And braided hemp?? Good grief. But hemp was in then. I swear. UGGGGGGHHHHHH. But if I ever thought you could make something so CLASSY with polymer clay, I would have done it years ago.

Needless to say, my tools have officially been dusted off and I’m ready to get to BIDNESS.