This Week's Jewelry: Artiscape Necklace

This week's jewelry project is a necklace made with a variety pack of fresh water pearls that I received from Rings & Things. The package included these pearly x-shaped pieces, creamy tan colored swirly rounds and many other small rounds in a multitude of colors. I had a lot of fun admiring these and was anxious to work them into a project for the upcoming Artiscape event I mentioned recently.

All participants at this event were provided a skeleton key and have the option to make any type of handmade item, using the key, to place in a silent auction for charity on the last day. The theme for the event is "The Age of Innocence" - "The rustle of silk and glitter of diamonds". The event is being held in the "Discovery District" which is full of victorian mansions, ornate wrought iron and a topiary garden.

I thought these pearls would work well in a victorian inspired necklace and wanted to use the x-shaped pieces as a focal point. Yes, they literally have points on them! I wasn't sure about the focal pearls, but I just couldn't bring myself to remove them, they are so pretty and unique. I used the black jump rings and 24 gauge black craft wire to represent the wrought iron popular during that time period.