In Progress: make your own necklace combination
Necklace made of 2 tubular connectors, 3 rings and one star connector.
I find myself taking beaded tubular crochet bracelets and intertwining them into a long chain. I love the look of many colors and patterns juxtaposed against each other. I think this would look so nice as a necklace, but how to suspend them to wear?
Years go by, I am still thinking about it. Finally, I have an idea. What if I made a whole bunch of pieces which could be interconnected in various ways; component pieces to make a necklace of the moment? With you in charge?
Step 1 - make the components
First question to answer - what components will I need? One thing is clear, a length of tubular beads with tabs which can be opened and closed at the end. I think I'll need several lengths. And probably in neutral colors so that I can mix and match both colors and neutrals together. The first one I do is pure white, hoping it won't interfere with colors and patterns of other components, but it's boring. Next two are black white and grey with patterns in the length of tubing plus 'blips' to add interest.
Second type of component should be rings, to be 'hooked' into the tabs at the end of the tubes. The bracelets can also be used as rings. So, I make a short, fat pure white connector ring, and I hate it. B o r i n g. Maybe there's too much white. Then I try a smaller pure white ring. Better. Then, two rings with black white and grey, even smaller.
Next, I think, what if I just want to connect rings without a length of tubular beadwork between. The star buttons I've been making would be perfect, so I try several white black and grey stars, and add crocheted tabs in the back, closing with small buttons, which can be closed in back around two rings to join them.
Bracelets and star connectors.
Second question to answer is, how to combine the pieces?
Well, first sub-question is, how to think about combining pattern and color?
I have a lot of bracelets, so maybe I should start there. But unfortunately, I've been thinking of connector rings, and the bracelets don't hang circular, they hang oblong, looking like a double tubular strand. It's hard to let go of what I thought I wanted and work with what is actually there. And as long as I'm thinking about using what I actually have, what about the pocket watch holder/hexagonal pouches I've been doing off an on for years? It's such a pity that they have just been sitting in a drawer. Maybe I can now wear them by attaching them to a plain chain.
