Redesigning One Necklace into Two - To Err is Human

by Dr. Gail H. Devoid
(Need for Beads, Inc.)

I had an idea for a necklace that would incorporate several jewelry design techniques:

• bead weaving
• pearl knotting
• wire-working
• chain maille.

I made the body of this piece using a modified herringbone stitch, with 4 mm cubes, farfaille seed beads, and shocking pink 10 lb test fire line.

The mono-chromatic design was to continue with two strands of knotted pearls and crystals, and then terminate with chain maille and a hand-made clasp.

For the pendant, I use a simple chain maille weave and handmade14kt gold-filled jump rings to create a short chain. To this I added wire-wrapped crystals and pearls:

Closeup of the pendant and
bead weaving of the longer necklace.

Once all the components were completed, I assembled the necklace, put it on, and realized the knotted strands and chain maille sections were much too long.

So, what do you do when you have a situation like this?

I removed the knotted pearl and crystal section, reattached the chain maille, and voila! I had the necklace the length I wanted, and it hung perfectly.

The next decision was what to do with the pearl strands.

I connected those to a store-bought clasp and created another pendant, somewhat similar to the first one, but shorter, with much fewer crystals and gold dangles added to make a different design.

I don’t usually make short necklaces, but I was not going to cut apart the knotted strands and start over. The strands were just long enough, and now I have two pieces designed.

The second (shorter) necklace designed,
which I call, "To Err Is Human".

Dr. Gail Devoid
Need for Beads, Inc.