Large, Long, Copper Statement Necklace on Handmade Viking Knit C
This necklace is oversize, and over-the-top, in detail and workmanship. Weeks in the making, the focal is 6quot; in length on a handmade 2mm. viking knit chain, with handmade end caps, and finished with a handmadequot;Egyptianquot; hook clasp.
The three main sections of the focal area display multiple metalworking techniques, each taking their place after much working, and reworking of the overall design to get this piece just right.
At the top, two domed disks display Elizabeth#39;s own original abstract art, which replaced a completed intricate structure supporting a fused glass cabochon, but it just wasn#39;t RIGHT! So despite hours of work, into the scrap heap it went! Then she tried a polymer clay cabochon, with more original molds and art, but again, it just wasn#39;t RIGHT! And the scrap heap got bigger! Finally she was happy with what you see here, more of her original art in a pierced metal form, sweat-soldered to the smaller disk. In itself, it could be a complete piece. And it was RIGHT!
The middle section, started out being done flat, but Elizabeth sees fabric forms in many metalworking techniques, and this quot;weavequot; begged to quot;drapequot; as a fabric would. This was problematic, because with each manipulation to create this effect, some of the soldered joints would pop loose, and require re-doing. A time consuming, frustrating process, especially since not every manipulation of the weave worked out! But it finally came RIGHT! On to the premium 4mm. faceted firepolished Czech beads hung from the weave for a little sparkle. Never mind that the 3mm. beads originally ordered for this piece weren#39;t right, it really wanted the 4mm. beads that took two nights of web shopping to find!
The third section is 3 handmade bicone beads. I looked one night to see if anyone else was making these, and aside from some Nigerian examples that were not nearly as nicely made, I couldn#39;t find any! As it turns out, Elizabeth had to make several attempts to get them solidly soldered, centered, and hanging straight. But she loves this style of bead, even the Nigerian ones, so she stuck with it until- you got it- they were RIGHT!
So now that it#39;s finished, we love this piece! It really kicks butt with tops with simple lines that don#39;t obscure it#39;s design. The 6 inch focal always draws comments- you better be ready for some attention when you wear this! It#39;s quirky, eclectic, and everything we love in unique handmade elegance!
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Large, Long, Copper Statement Necklace on Handmade Viking Knit C