“Grace”, designed by Jean Campbell, from her book “Creating Glamorous Jewelry”

Grace

I’m trying to get used to Marathon Man’s camera. My camera  seems to be dying but I’m not sure I like how photos from this camera are coming out. I think I might add “new camera” to my wish list along with “new computer”. Hope springs eternal..

Back to the necklace at hand, his is “Grace”. “Grace” is another Jean Campbell design from her book “Creating Glamorous Jewelry”.
I ordered all of the beads to make this, but I forgot to add in the 8mm Crystal focal bead. I attempted to buy a bead from both Joann’s and Michaels but they seem to be more interested in carrying bicones. I could find a similar shaped and colored bead at Michael’s but it was made in China and I just couldn’t bring myself to buy it. So, it’s official… I”m a Swarovski bead snob.  That, or I’m just “anti crap from China”, it could go either way.  At any rate, this sat on my bead board , partially completed awaiting a single 8mm amethyst crystal bead to come in the mail. Incidentally I also ordered a thread burner.
Jean calls for a thread burner frequently in the book. I learned to melt thread the old school way and would melt my thread with a lighter or a match. I’ve got to say though, a thread burner is a huge step up in the world for me.

As for the pattern, this necklace was very easy to construct. I did make one change that I’m aware of and possibly one that I wasn’t aware of. I used closed, sterling silver twisted jump rings. So instead of attaching the links when they had all been completed, I connected them as I constructed them.  Also, the material list calls for 6, 7mm twisted jump rings.  However, in the instructions it says to “use twisted 8mm jump rings to continue connecting components”. I didn’t see that until I was assembling it, which works as a good reminder as to how important it is to read the directions from start to finish (in detail) prior to ordering materials. There isn’t a great difference between 7 and 8mm, so my suggestion would to be to look for some that are a bit heavier gauge. Mine were super thin but I think that the necklace would look better if they were slightly heavier. Choices seem to be more plentiful in 8mm.

Still, I love this necklace.  It’s very elegant, as it should be. This particular necklace was inspired by a photo of Grace Kelly  in “To Catch a Thief”, it is certainly fit for a princess.

Jean Campbell continues to grow on me.  The more of her designs I make, the more I want to make. I ordered most of the materials to make “Carmen” and “Audrey” so those will be coming soon (I need to grab one or two more things). I’ve also started working on the “Cleo” earrings. I’m not satisfied with the bead caps I chose so I’m going to try to find the ones used in the book.