Busy Happy – Mix Media Necklace, the journey

If I had to name this necklace, I would simply call it “Busy Happy”. It is kind of busy (so I have been told) and it has a very happy feel (so I have been told).

Now we will go on a pictorial journey on the making of this mix media necklace, including link to detailed notes on how to create your own customised glass cabochons, complete with beads and connector rings.

This mix media necklace is characterised by making my own cabochons. Here there is one central handmade felted cabochon (in the center), and 3 customised glass cabochons.

Making my own cabochons not only makes the own process more fun and personal, but it allows me to a lot of control as to colours, connector links, finish, and sizing. I have written up a detailed article on how to make your own customised cabochons. While each element you make will be different, just as your taste and needs are – it will nonetheless provide springboard of ideas and how-to tips. See: How to Make Unique Customised Glass Cabochons.

---

The Coming Together of Mix Media Necklace

Once you have most of your main components, that is the time for even more fun to begin. Everything is pretty much a trial and error basis. However it is invaluable to begin with some visual image in your mind. Better yet if it is down on paper. Do not be afraid that your creation might eventually diverge from your original draft. The visual draft is only a guide. But an important one.

Playing with mix media jewelry is never a rigid step-by-step technique. If you are into very rigid recipes, using precisely this amount of this bead, this amount of wire, do this then that – then this method of free playing with media might not be for you.

Here are some pics of the evolution of this mix media necklace. While it goes some ways to show the process, it is deceptive as it would be too lengthy to show all the “errors” and revisions I had to make.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

---

Finished Mix Media Necklace and Close Ups

Some Close-ups

---

Materials Used

Some of the materials used in this mix media necklace:

• buttons
• cloisonné bead caps
• customised glass cabochons
• Czech beads (various)
• gemstones: serpentine, shell, cat eyes, howlite, turquoise
• Greek findings
• fabric
• felted cabochons (handmade)
• resin flowers
• ribbons
• Swarovski rivoli, pendants, beads, and sequins
• wire and chains

Created Mar-Apr 2014.

---