set - Freeform Ocean Treasures

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Freeform Netted Ocean Treasures

(Sooty2010) Swarovski Crystals · beaded · freeform netting· Fresh Water Pearls

necklace and earrings in freeform beaded netting with Swarovski crystals and pearls

Necklace and Earrings set. I made this for a very special friend - someone I just found again after many long years without her. I can not publish this as she has received it. And yipee - she does love it. Her daughter does too ~ which is another yippee for me!!

The necklace is amazingly pliable and drapable with the lovely weight that comes from seed beads, crystals, and pearls. The freeform netting was done in multi-hued seed beads which emulates the serenity and constant changing ocean colors. I chose these colors as my special friend had told me that she like "unusual shades of green".

The base is worked first in freeform sewn netting. The Swarovski bicones are worked into the netting as well. The inner edge of the necklace is done first and then the random branches. Embellishments (Pearls, MOP buttons etc.) are worked onto of the finished necklace netting.

Earrings are made to match and finished with Sterling Silver earwires.

The original idea comes from Bead & Button, Aug 2008 and a template is provided as well. However the template is used less and less as I get more familiar with the freeform netting.

This set is not sold but was given as a present. The "sold" sign here only indicates that this item is not available for sale.

Materials: Seed beads, Mother of Pearl buttons - vintage (over 30+ years old); Fresh Water Pearls - both natural and dyed, Swarovski 5328 bicones (Palace Green, Mint Alabaster, Crystal clear), Swarovski 3700 sew on Margaritas (CAB foiled).

Some Closeup Construction Photos & Working Notes

The fastening is made with the specific intention of having it seamless looking when worn. This is achieved by using a button (that is already scattered throughout the body) as the clasp and reinforcing the innate loops in the netting so that it is strong enough to double as a clasp-loop .. and that it is easily identifiable as such by the wearer for ease of use.

I scattered matching Swarovski crystals throughout the piece and in the netting so that, like the endless play of light on the ocean waves, light is caught and reflected when worn.

Below are some rough tips jotted down during work. It will useful to refer to this should I decide to make another freeform necklace.

It helps to have work pinned down during netting and for the beading mat to be weighted so that it does not move around or is so light that it moves as you pull the threads through.

And I have found that it is easier to work freeform than using the paper template byt sewing through it. Have to start with beading the required lenth in seedbeads for the inner edge of necklace. Then work each random branch by branch and join them together as you work so that the whole necklace starts forming and you can adjust the shape/length as you go.