Handmade Beaded Jewelry – A Polymer Clay Convertible Necklace
Making Jewelry Pieces That Can Be Worn In Several Different Ways:
It's a good thing my mom doesn't go online too much… or she would see what I'm giving her for Christmas (see photo). This convertable art jewelry can be worn in various necklace arrangements as well as bracelet and pendant configurations.
I love the look of the long asymmetrical necklaces where one side of the necklace is one style and the other side is completely different. But although they are different, the two looks are balanced by color, materials, bead style and size/proportions. The two work together to become one.
Knowing I wanted to create a piece of jewelry for my mom with this asymmetrical design, I also wanted to include the yellow rose pendant I had made for her back in the summer.
After doing a quick sketch of the necklace design, I thought it might be fun to make each side of the long necklace, independent of each other. Two shorter necklaces that could be worn separately or combined into one long necklace.
This idea excited me! What if the rose pendant could be worn on either of the short necklaces or on the long one? What if there was a clip on the pendant so it could be clipped at any place she wanted in the design? And what if either short necklace could be double wrapped around the wrist, to be worn as a bracelet? Just think of the many different ways she could wear this jewelry! How fun!
Not only did I want the jewelry to be extremely flexible in the way it was worn, I also wanted the style and materials to go with many different looks.
So I combined several metals into all the pieces using brass, antiqued brass, gunmetal, gold and copper.
I also combined a more traditional look in one necklace using glass beads, chains and filigree findings with a more artistic modern look in the other necklace of hammered copper rings and raku styled polymer clay beads.
The two pieces flow nicely with each other because of the mixture of the same metals plus the red and golden tones of all the polymer clay and glass beads.
Once the necklaces were created, the yellow rose pendant looked too brightly colored against their antiqued look. I decided it needed to be reworked so I rubbed the rose's surface with a rich gold paint and wrapped the calyx in antiqued brass wire. A copper lobster clip was added to tie it in with the other jewelry pieces and unify the look.
Just for fun I made a pair of filigree earrings to go with the set.
I think my mom is really going to enjoy all the possibilities with this convertible jewelry necklace. It is kind of an interactive art jewelry set, where she can take part in the creativity. What could be cooler than that!
Filed Under: 11: Bead Projects, 13: Musings-News by Comment. 
Leave a Comment
Comments on Handmade Beaded Jewelry – A Polymer Clay Convertible Necklace
7:48 pm
Cindy,
Your rose pendant is exquisitely beautiful!!! I am sure she will love it and treasure it forever, having so much fun choosing to wear it so many different ways!
I wish I could see your mother's necklace from different angles, and what it looks like on someone. I'd love to see more of the detail in the bead work. Maybe your Mom could give you a picture of her wearing it after Christmas!?! The link to the rose itself shows the rose beautifully! It is simply gorgeous!!! I hope to find time to make more jewelry soon, and to experiment with making such versatile pieces :)
Thanks for sharing your beautiful work as always! And thanks for showing us that the options are unending!
Hugs to you,
Cindy E.
3:17 pm
Thank you for your sweet comments Cindy! I've got another photo that will allow you to see more details of the necklace. I'll use it in a follow up article later this week…. so stay tuned :)
By the way…. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
1:00 am
And Beautiful Holidays to you and yours as well!!! :)
I will look forward to seeing more of your stunning necklace :)
Cindy
8:40 am
Cindy, You are very creative to not only think of something like this but to make it. I agree with Cindy E. We need to see more pictures of the way it looks on and the different ways it can be worn. Beautiful, just beautiful what more can I say. I love it and I know your Mom will to.
1:06 pm
Thanks Linda! I just posted another article with another picture that shows more detail. Follow the link by name to see.
8:00 am
I just love it Cindy! Your mom will definitely LOVE IT! I also love your pink one. I sometimes have a hard time thinking outside the box. The idea of an adjustable necklace is super. And I agree with you on the two sides of the necklace complimenting one another even though each side is different and unique. I have been meaning to try that with my jewelry and I have attempted once or twice, but I end up going back to the usual…I guess I have to be more adventurous. What a gorgeous necklace…thanks for sharing.
9:01 am
I wish I were you mother but I think I am too young. Would you like to be adopted?
4:56 pm
@Lupe: A great place to start when you want to try something out of the box, is on jewelry for yourself. No pressure that way. You can always take it apart and rework it until you get a design that works well. The great thing about jewelry is that there are so many different styles that you can make something in. Go with your gut. Make what you love and you are sure to create a great design!
@Anna: Hehehe You are cute! Thanks for the offer but it might offend my Mom if I let someone adopt me! :-)
5:13 pm
Thanks for your words of wisdom Cindy. I will definitely start trying new things on myself. And you are right, if I don't like it, I can always take it apart and start from scratch!
7:18 pm
You're welcome sweetie!
5:56 pm
What a lovely necklace! Your roses are gorgeous, I know another back issue I'm going to need to purchase. Simply lovely…