Jewellery reno: Pro rescue for amateur beaders, Part One

LauraH and I shared a well-intentioned desire to design our own beaded necklaces. Off we went (separately) to a big Toronto bead shop that offers DIY workshops. I wrote about my monstrosity, and the fix, eight years ago. 

Laura decided to take hers in hand too, and used the same rescue team, the estimable Toronto jewellers Pam Chandler and Don Collins, of Artwork Gallery.

Laura says, about the pieces below, "I ‘made’ these from turquoise, lapis and other bits, but didn’t like how they turned out. Look how boring they are… and visually heavy."

 There is no shame in a beginner's efforts, but let's see what the pros do!

Pam and Don designed pieces that use some of the material above, as well as other beads from Laura's stash: peridot, nephrite jade and coral beads, and a small pearl necklace given many years ago by her parents.

Laura describes the results:

Left: Nephrite (British Columbia) jade "chicklets". Laura says, "...They added small gold beads and strung it on black thread. The pinch clasp is gold and is wonderful. I can manage it easily, no fumbling around as with those smaller types—and it looks great."

Centre:  Long rope of pearl, peridot and coral. Laura: "The gold quatrefoil clasp is very attractive and easy to manage, I can attach it wherever I like to make a shorter or longer length. Or I can wear it as bracelet!" (Note in the photo below how the gold quatrefoil becomes a 'charm' when she wears it like a lariat.)

Right: A wrap bracelet, a good way to repurpose a lesser number of beads, or beads too small for a necklace.

Left: the two necklaces on Laura. She finds them light and comfortable.
Right: The pearl/peridot/coral necklace worn as a bracelet.

Laura and I have friends who are talented beaders; mine tell me they ripped apart many projects before they developed a confident aesthetic sense. But, if you like us have unworn quality beads and limited design skills, seek professional help, a designer who can deliver not just a fix, but a treasure.
Thanks to technology, you can work with outstanding artists like Pam and Don no matter where you live.

If you prefer to set out your bead board and try again, the principles she and I learned are restraint, harmony and an obsession with quality materials and findings.


(This is not a sponsored post. I receive no form of payment from the jewellers. )