The Beauty (and ease!) of Chain

If you are looking for a fun and relatively simple beading project — one that’s sure to be both pretty and eye-catching, why not consider the versatility of chain paired with beads?

You can pick up silver, gold chain in various lengths from your favorite craft store. It’s usually not very expensive, and if you get a chain that’s several feet long, you can create quite a few beautiful projects.

I made this 102cm long Fancy Link Silver Plated Chain Rope Necklace is loaded with a variety of Murano, Czech Fire Polished Bicone’s, Lampwork,  Acrylic, Semi-Precious Chips, Glass, Pearl Foil and Miyuki beads. It is also embellished with Bali and Filigree Bead Spacers as well as various Silver Findings  The Chain has no Clasp and can be worn separately or paired with other necklaces. 

“BOLD IN RED” RHODIUM & CHROME BEADED NECKLACE

It took me a while to arrange the beads that I wanted to use for this Rhodium and Chrome Necklace, but eventually I had each one where I wanted them. I used Large Rhodium and Chrome beads, big hole wooden beads mixed with Pandora,Glass, Filigree, and Rhinestone beads and this is the end result.

Thanks to my Daughter “Vanessa Karakizos Photography” for the photos.

HELPFUL TIPS – HOW TO START BEADING

Not only is basic beading easy and fun, but it doesn’t cost much to get started. A wide variety of beading supplies are readily available at crafts and art supplies stores, discount stores and specialty bead boutiques that carry both basic beads and the more expensive beads that are often used by professional beaders. Many beading supply warehoused will mail free color catalogues to you, upon request. A search for “beading supplies” on the Internet will give you many great resources for what you need to get started beading.

To start beading, you will need a few basic tools and supplies. Here is a checklist of what you will need:

“VINTAGE” RIBBON NECKLACE

This delicate Necklace will fit right in with your summer wardrobe.

10mm Bronze Faux Pearls, 18mm Green Spots Polymer Clay Beads, 6mm Evergreen Bicones, 4mm Champagne Faux Pearls and Lime Miyuki Squares, are strung on 5mm Beige and 3mm Brown Organza Ribbon. Concluded with a Copper Vintage Square Wire Pendant and a 21x12mm Acrylic Faceted Lime Briolette.

Dress it up or down, it is a very versatile piece that you can bring with you anywhere.

Length of Necklace = 70cm

 

“SERENITY” DRAGONFLY NECKLACE & EARRING SET

Why do people like dragonflies? ….They seem a little magical to me.

Serenity Dragonfly Necklace

A beautiful combination of 10mm Metallic Brown Faux Pearls, 8mm Cerise Pink and Lime Green Clear Glass Rounds with Copper Bali Bead Caps.

They are all swept together towards a 25x18mm White with Green Swirl and Pink Flower Design Murano Style with a Plated Insert Core Bead, which I attached as the “Focal” with Copper Oval Chain and set with a Vintage Copper Dragonfly on either side. 

I furthermore formed a loop  encasing the focal with Green and Pink Bicones, Copper Filigree Rounds and centered with a tiny Copper Butterfly.


The Necklace is neatly completed with a Vintage Copper Rose Design Toggle Clasp.


The earrings have a  dazzling cascade of an earthy mixture of Shades of Brown Pony Beads, Carnelian Semi Precious Stone Chips, 8mm Amber Multi-faceted Swarovski Crystals and 10mm Metallic Brown Faux Pearl Rounds.

Mesmerizing in motion,  are Vintage Dragonfly Findings swinging freely  from the Gold Plated French Ear Wires. 

Delicate and beautiful, this gorgeous Dragonfly Necklace and Earring Set brings a bit of fantasy and romance to brighten your day.

Simple enough for every day wear yet beautiful enough for a special night out.

Length of Necklace including Toggle Clasp – 56cm

Length of Earrings including Ear Wires – 8.5cm 

LILAC METALLIC PEARL STRETCH BRACELET

A gorgeous Stretch Bracelet, designed with a sparkling 25mm Metallic Pearl, Waver Spacers, large Bali Style Rhodium and Daisy Spacers are arranged among smaller 16mm Lilac Metallic Pearl Beads. A Silver Leaf Charm, two Acrylic Rose Beads and a Vintage Style Heart Glass are the focal points of this very light weight Bracelet.  

Definitely a one of a kind piece to have in your Jewelry collection.

ImageImage

HOW TO MAKE SURE YOUR JEWELRY FITS – SIZE GUIDE

The information provided below will help you make sure your new jewelry fits you just right, and save you from the hassle and expense of returning your jewelry for the correct size.


Necklaces

Not sure which necklace size to order? Use the list below as a guide to traditional necklace lengths for an average woman’s body. Of course, everyone’s preference for necklace length is unique, depending on body shape, preferred fit, and the style of necklace. For example, a delicate necklace will fit differently than a chunky one, and the exact length of a long necklace is not as critical as that of a short one.

Necklace Sizes

  • 12-14 inches: around neck (choker)
  • 16 inches: at neckline
  • 18 inches: at collarbone
  • 20 inches: a few inches below collarbone (mid-chest)
  • 22-24 inches: at or just above decolletage
  • 24 inches: just below décolletage
  • 30 inches: a few inches below décolletage
  • 36 inches: almost to waistline

How to measure your necklace size: The best way to determine the proper length to order is to measure a necklace you own in similar style. Another method is to drape a string around your neck, and to cut it once you have determined the length that suits you. Use that measurement as a guide to ordering the closest length available in the style of your choice.


Bracelets

Make sure that your new bracelet fits you perfectly by measuring your wrist or a favorite bracelet before ordering. The average women’s bracelet size is 7.5 inches, though we all know that wrists come in as many shapes and sizes as we do. Therefore, it is very important to double-check your wrist and bracelet size before ordering. Remember, your typical clothing size may not correspond to your wrist or bracelet size.

 Bracelet Sizes

  • Small: 7 inches
  • Medium: 7.5 inches
  • Large: 8 inches
  • X-Large: 8.5 inches

Please note that the sizes above are bracelet sizes, not wrist sizes (i.e. they are 1 to 1.5 inches larger than your wrist measurement—see below). If a bracelet is either adjustable or has an extender chain, it will be noted in its product description.

How to measure your bracelet size: 

Wrap a soft measuring tape or ribbon snugly (but not too tightly) around your wrist, just below your wrist bone. Mark the length, (cutting and/or measuring the ribbon with a ruler) and add 1 to 1.5 inches. This is your bracelet size.

Another measurement technique:

Simply measure a bracelet that fits you comfortably and is similar in style to the one you want to order. Remember, a chunky bracelet will fit you differently than a delicate one, and will need to be a bit longer to accommodate the width of the materials. Don’t forget to measure the bracelet end-to-end, including the clasp.

Bracelet Ordering Tips

Still not sure about your size? 

When placing your bracelet order, keep in mind that it is better for a bracelet to be slightly loose rather than snug, and don’t forget to consider what kind of bracelet fit is most comfortable for you (either tighter or looser). If your wrist is between sizes, I suggest that you round up to the next largest size.

 
Petite and Plus Sizes

As a guideline, a petite size would be 2 inches (or less) smaller than the smallest size offered of a necklace or bracelet. A plus size would be approximately 2 inches (or less) larger than the largest size. Some additional charges will typically apply for labor and materials used to modify an existing style.

Children’s Sizes
  
Your little girl can feel just like one of the “big girls” when you give her a gift of jewelry for a special occasion, such as her birthday, first communion, graduation, a wedding (flower girl), or just because!

Use the size charts below as a guideline, but keep in mind that young children come in all shapes and sizes and grow at different rates. You should measure your child’s neck or wrist as you would an adult’s (see above) to make sure their necklace or bracelet will fit them well.

Girls’ Necklace Sizes

  • 10-12 inches: 3-6 years
  • 12-14 inches: 7-9 years
  • 14-16 inches: 10-12 years

 
Girls’ Bracelet Sizes
 

  • XX-Small (3): 5.5 inches
  • X-Small (4-5): 5.75 inches
  • Small (6-7): 6 inches
  • Medium (8-9): 6.25 inches
  • Large (10-11): 6.5 inches
  • X-Large (12-13): 7 inches


Important Safety Note

Please use caution when children ages three to five are wearing jewelry, and do not allow them to wear it either unsupervised or while sleeping.


FROM MY BRIDAL GALLERY

From My Bridal Gallery

Like an old Art Nouveau Post Card, these very Vintage Maroon & Black Heart Earrings with a flower embossments echo the romantic past.

They are sweet and refined with the lacy touches of another time.

The rest of the design is simple with 8mm Violet Faux Pearls, 4mm & 8mm Czech Fire Polished Bicones & Antique Silver Spacer Beads.

All are on Silver Plated Head Pins and graceful Silver Plated French Ear Wires

ADDITIONAL SETS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNS OF YOUR CHOICE CAN BE PROVIDED ON REQUEST. 

ImageImage