“The great thing about Holly designs is they can be worn all winter by people of different cultures and faiths.” ~Anna-S
Last week I showed you a picture of a Holly Berry focal bead from one of my Christmas Jewelry Projects. Well for today’s post, I have included a photo of the whole necklace. As you can see, the design is asymmetrical.
Down one side of the necklace are five round polymer clay holly beads wired with gunmetal wire, and linked with red and green glass beads. Down the other side, there is only one medium sized lentil bead, done with sections of the holly leaf and berry canes. It is also wired up in the ‘messy wrap’ style and linked with red and green glass beads.
The whole necklace is brought together at the bottom, with three graduated sizes of holly beads, all wired together with a bronze chain tassel.
To protect and give a nice sheen to the wire and the beads, I sprayed the whole necklace after it was completed, with a wonderful product called Preserve Your Memories II (PYM II). I am truly excited about this great finish! It is so easy to use and since it is compatible with polymer clay, metal, glass and just about everything else, I can use it without having to worry about it getting sticky later on, as happens with other sprays.
I just love the colors and ‘earthy clunkiness’ of this polymer clay necklace. Soon I will show you the holly and berry canes I used to make these beads. So stay tuned for that.
Does anyone want to learn how to do the ‘messy’ style of wire wrapping that I use in this project? Last week’s picture of the holly berry focal bead shows it better than today’s photo. If you are interested, let me know and I will add it to the list of tutorials for filming.
As well I would like some feedback on whether you like seasonal jewelry like this Christmas Necklace, or if you prefer designs that can be worn year round?
Oh yes Cindy, please add it to the list… I really love the way the wire wrapping looks with your beads!!!
~Lisa
OK, I have to say it. It is SNOWING here in central Iowa. That may sound exciting to some people but last winter was horrific and I am NOT ready for snow. So Cindy, you can call your sister in law and say, “Hey, I hear ya got snow.”
Love this holly necklace and drool every time I look at it. One thing I really like about all your designs is that we can substitute other colors for different seasons of the year. I am going to try making the Spliced Cane in winter colors. Though about dark reds to simulate a Poinsettia. It would look great in poppy colors too. You have good judgment on how much of any theme to share with us. You also provide us videos on things we cannot find elsewhere.
So, I will not complain unless you do 16 videos on how to make Santa Canes. I tried to make a snowflake can last year and it ended up a disaster.
As far as messy wire wrapping video. I would be interested if in comes later in your video’s rather than in the next couple weeks. Preferably after the Holly Berry Video.
Anna- Des Moines Iowa
Cindy,
I love the messy wrap look AND I like holiday jewelry. It’s always fun.
Anna,
I understand completely. It has snowed here a couple times already and the snow on the mountains is staying and it’s already cold enough for me to have to warm up my car before I jump into it at night on my way home! This year fall was skipped all together! Very sad… I like fall!
Melinda Herron- Helena, MT
Love this, especially with the unique wrapping and asymmetrical stringing. Gotta try it.
Please count me in for the messy wrap wiring. Can’t wait to learn how to make this bead too, it has almost a vintage feel together with the wiring and beading. I’m finding I’m really drawn to the focal beads and wire variations.
Yes – I’m in there on that Cindy –
And gals – it has been snowing here in central Alberta for 4 days now and is forecasted for another 4 days. No fall to speak of at all – but then again – no summer either. I think I’m going to build an igloo.
Like Anna, I really eyed the holly bead. And I like the vid’s that have the entire piece from beginning to end.
Anna I know the about the cold in Des Moines – I worked at Merle Hay Mall one winter. Had to warm my car for 40 minutes to drive less than a mile.
16 Christmas Canes it is!…. Just kidding. Sorry Anna couldn’t help it! :-)
Sorry to hear that winter is arriving so soon for some of you. Just raining cats and dogs around here, though I had to scrape frost off the window for the first time this morning. So Winter’s definitely on its way!
Glad to here you guys like the wire work. I will be teaching you how to do that in Vol-018 so stay tuned! Click the link by my name to see what else is coming up in Vol-018 in the Polymer Clay Library.