Pearls | Yearly Designs

Pearls: smooth satiny elegance which has been a classic accessory through the years

I've always loved pearls & enjoy using them in designs whether they're simply a creamy white or a charming color that adds a pop to the design. Unintentionally I made a creamy white design each year, starting back in 2009.

It's a twist on the classic strand of pearls with tiny gold accents & sparkling Swarovski Crystals. Elegant in its very simplicity. 

This was the year I started experimenting with making my own links & of course I had to try them out with some lovely pearls. I wrapped the pearls in antique brass wire & connected them with golden brass links. It's an easy way to mix metals & add a dash of variety to a simple design.

Originally this design was made in silver & was modern looking in its asymmetry. Somehow, it didn't quite suit & I redid it in golden brass. Those lovely crystal drops are vintage, taken from a bracelet of a grandmother. 

2012 was the year I got comfortable with my wire skills & started experimenting with more free form shapes. That lead to petal/leaf shapes & my (now popular) flower designs.

This design shows the advantage that numbers have: simple & slightly boring alone, pearls can be stunning when concentrated in one spot.

Last year I continued the tradition & used pearls in this design that features vintage glass. A classy way to remake a necklace that was just a little heavy - both in weight & sheer sparkles! The glass is gorgeous but three strands of solid sparkle is a little much for most people.

What did you like? Any suggestions for this years design?