Thursday, April 2, 2015

Half Of A Good Idea

A lovely strand of faceted Czech firepolished glass in variegated soft colors called my name at a bead show.  So like any beader worth her salt, I bought that strand. And two of its identical twins.

We won't dwell on the fact that I just admitted to hearing beads talk to me.

The thought was to use them to make a netted rope necklace, kind of like this one.  Hopefully I had enough beads that I wouldn't run out halfway through (again...)


That was all well and good, until I actually started making the necklace. It was obvious that the beads were a little too big to let the necklace flow softly. Instead, it was going to make a rope about as big around as your thumb - a little chunky if it's solid around the neck.


So, plan B! Instead of a whole necklace, I made beaded beads.  

Oh, and it turns out it wouldn't have been enough to make a whole 16" or 18" necklace anyway. Gotta stop trying to eyeball bead quantities in the midst of the bead show floor.

But now I have an assortment of lovely sparkly beaded beads, and no clear idea of what to do with them. It's not the first time I've discovered that my great idea was actually only half of a great idea. Any suggestions for what might work with these?

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I'd alternate with some nice opaque round beads for contrast and make a big ol' chunky bracelet. Or you maybe use a couple for the ends of a netted rope lariat if that's more your taste. They'd go well to finish before the fringe.

Unknown said...

I'd alternate with some nice opaque round beads for contrast and make a big ol' chunky bracelet. Or you maybe use a couple for the ends of a netted rope lariat if that's more your taste. They'd go well to finish before the fringe.

Liz said...

I know you are going to come up with the exact right way to use those. I have started to err on the side of buying too much, just because I've gotten so frustrated with not having enough.

Liz said...

I know you are going to come up with the exact right way to use those. I have started to err on the side of buying too much, just because I've gotten so frustrated with not having enough.

AntiquityTravelers said...

I seem to be missing your posts? But glad I popped over to see what you were up to! What a cool pattern, love this netting look. I have found these kind of patterns to be stiff - literally when trying to fit them into a piece. I end up using them as a focal, or a bar focal and then letting the rest be a soft rope whether leather or simple beaded rope. With what you have here .... perhaps a bit of chunky chain or jump rings in between those beaded beads? the colorway is really gorgeous!

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

Oh my..these are so gorgeous! I love beaded beads - these colors are amazing!

Can't you find away to attach a chain...or beaded chain (I don't do beaded, so perhaps not!)

I always tend to buy TOO MANY beads - rarely do I end up with not enough. I won't even discuss the size of my "orphan bin" of leftover beads!

Therese's Treasures said...

Hi Bobbie,
I know you will think of something to do with the beautiful netted beaded beads. Myself I would find some 16 or 18 mm round crystals to put between the netted beads and make a big chunky necklace.
Therese