Earlier this year I created several beaded collars...projects that I had been thinking about for quite some time.I had great fun working up the color scheme in these collars. The larger collar is a magnificent piece to wear and has the impression of Egyptian fashion. I imagine how grand Cleopatra must have felt wearing those wonderful beaded collars, sipping fine wine! I started out with a beautiful but bright Purple Sea Sediment Jasper. I decided I did not want to play up the bright Purple and focus on all the complimentary tones found in the stone. I added some vintage glass cabochons and pearl to give a sheen to the collar at various places.
The two smaller collars were a bit more difficult primarily due to the small space. At their widest point, the collar is not quite 2 inches. I did not want to have the space on each side of the center cabochons to be boring and so after pondering various ideas I cam up with the final designs. The lighter collar has a small, teardrop cabochon of Ocean Jasper. I love Ocean Jasper and all it's variations. It will often have circulars shapes indicating something bubbled up from the deep ocean floor and solidified! I had to work at keeping the Ocean Jasper collar light and white. I rarely use white in my beaded pieces so this was a challenge. The animal print type beading just happened, I did not start out with a plan on how to fill space. I love the way the collar turned out! The other small collar has a aquamarine blue Swarovski cabochon. The frosted glass leaves to the side are also vintage, very unique.
I had great fun creating these collars. They are currently on view at Artist Collaborative Gallery in Sacramento.
The bottom necklace is Ocean Jasper surrounded by champagne button pearls. Poor photo!
