I made this set for a customer recently. The beads were made from a Peroni beer bottle. I have been loving the Peroni green colour. Here is what the customer had to say:
“Didn’t arrive until yesterday but WOW, it was worth waiting for. Looks even better than the photos! Just love the set. And thank you for my extra set of earrings.”
My pleasure!
This is version 4.0 of this necklace! If you click here, you’ll see where it all started. It took a bit of persistence to get to the finished result, but we got there, and I’m really grateful for the patience that the customer had with me as I tweaked the design to get it just right for her (Thanks Jackie)! This necklace is so, so pretty, and I can’t wait to make some more!
Nearly 6 years ago I made a really pretty necklace for my “Anti-Depression Glass” exhibition. I only ever made one of them, even though I really liked it, and it sold. I am not sure why I was reluctant to make more, but I think it probably had something to do with how tricky they are to make!
I did feature it on my website for a while though, and a lovely lady contacted me to ask me if it would be possible to make something similar for her. I had almost forgotten about the necklace and how tricky it was to make….so I agreed to try to make another one.
So, this picture is of the first prototype of that necklace. It’s really pretty, but it’s not quite right yet. So, I am going to have another try at making the necklace, with just the paler beads on it, and with a few more beads on the chain so that they sit both ways. I can’t exactly remember how I did the last necklace, so it’s all a bit trial and error until I get it right.
I know some people would be reluctant to ask me to do this, but I am actually really enjoying the process with this customer. I enjoy trying new (old) things, and making jewellery that is just right. And when I do get this necklace right, it will be worn at a wedding in England…how lovely is that?
These necklaces are a lot of fun to wear, very dramatic.
The top necklace is made from a Banrock Station wine bottle. The middle necklace is made from a Kronenbourg beer bottle. And the bottom necklace is made from a Bombay Sapphire Gin bottle.
They are featuring as part of the Resonate Exhibition at Gallery M, which officially opens Friday 20th February at 6.30pm. Wine and nibbles provided.
Now this is not only a Statement Necklace, but also a Conversation Necklace. I think I like that term, conversation. Because that’s exactly what this necklace does, it starts a conversation. I imagine the conversation would go something like this:
Person: “Wow, that’s an amazing necklace.”
Me: “Thank you, it’s actually made from beer bottles!”
Person: “Beer bottles? What do you mean?”
Me: “Well, I smash up beer bottles, and then make glass beads. These beads have also been decorated with gold leaf.”
Person: “Oh, that’s incredible, I love it. Do you use other glass?”
Me: “I can, definitely.”
Person: “Fantastic, I love it. I have this champagne bottle that I drank at my 50th birthday party, it was a very special bottle, and a very special occasion. Do you think you could make some beads from that, and a necklace like that for me?”
Me: “Of course I can, it’s what I love to do the most, make special jewellery for people.”
Now, that’s actually the shortened version of a real conversation I recently had with someone, admittedly I was not wearing this exact necklace, but I imagine it could start a similar conversation. What conversations could you have if you were wearing this necklace?
Person: “Wow, that’s a beautiful necklace.”
You: “Why thank you, I love wearing it, it’s actually made from beer bottles.”
Person: “Beer bottles?”
You: “Yes, the person who made it makes the beads from beer bottles.”
Person: “Oh wow, that’s awesome, and very eco-friendly. What a cool necklace to wear. You have excellent taste.”
You: “Thanks.”
(Sorry, that’s a little bit silly, but a necklace like this would definitely be noticed)!
This necklace was made from a Peroni Beer bottle. I embellished alternative beads to get a nice contrast in the beads. I love the beautiful colour of the Peroni glass.
Layered disk necklaces made from:
A few people asked me what the asymmetrical necklaces looked like on, so I took some photos of them. The beads at the bottom of the necklace seem to lengthen it even more. Having said that, the necklaces are made with sterling silver chain to clasp into, so you can wear it longer or shorter, it’s up to you. I tend to wear it longer at the moment, but that’s just because of the dresses I am wearing.
These are some of my favourite necklaces in the exhibition. I love the length of them, they sit beautifully with a lot of the clothes I am wearing at the moment. A bit longer than usual, and that’s just perfect. There are so many great beads in these necklaces, but I tried to stay true to the colour of the bottle, without too much decoration.
I delivered all of the jewellery to Gallery M yesterday, and I can’t wait to go back on Friday 20th February to see it all set up. That is the night of the exhibition opening. Hope to see you there!