Under the heading of Recycling.........

I love being able to use recycled items in my jewelry.  Not only does it stretch my imagination muscles, it's good for the earth.  So, imagine happening on a solid stainless steel chain link length perfect for a bracelet. Just sitting there.  Seriously.  I asked, but nobody wanted it.  For anything.  I was told it was a part that had been replaced.  It was going to be thrown out. So, what would you do? Yup, me too.  I used it. 

I love working with steel.  I've made quite a few pieces with steel wire, and while it's a tough wire to work with (oh my poor, poor little fingers) the results are worth it.  I use only the annealed steel wire, which comes in black (I get it from my wonderful local Ace Hardware - a big shout out to Audettes)..........which doesn't always match what I'm using it with.  Thanks to the wonderful and generous Deryn Boyd Mentock I learned that using some sandpaper on the black annealed steel wire will strip the black off it (leaving a nice patina, I would like to add here) so it will blend well with all you want to use it with.

As I said, the chain was the perfect length for a bracelet.  I had some turquoise rondelles, some vintage AB crystals, turquoise colored seed beads, and some Chinese crystals so I set to wrapping beads. 

Once I assembled the bracelet, it needed a clasp.  I had a lovely hook and loop sterling silver one that worked oh-so-well with the bracelet.

It feels fabulous on the wrist and catches the light at every turn.  Be careful while driving - it may catch your eye so much you forget to look at the road!!!

Oh yeah, and that steel chain.......I bet you wonder what it started it's life as?

Yep.  This is it.  Any guesses?

A Work in Progress

I got a request for some bracelets - some of my wire bracelets, so I sat down yesterday to make some. I had a few ideas in my head........pulled out some beads, some wire, played with colors and finally had a couple of plans. None of which worked. Sheesh - finally have some time to work uninterrupted and I can't seem to wring a bracelet out of four attempts - but in the whole mess I salvaged a necklace from which to hang my (domed penny)copper/pearl pendant.

I used 22 gauge copper wire and made some wrapped loops to join some really gorgeous vintage crystal bicones (probably 8mm) and some vintage pearls and 2mm Swarovski crystals. I used square copper wire for the jumprings and connection components and added a really nice antiqued copper toggle clasp. I still don't think this necklace is done yet...........I have an idea for etching the pendant..............stay tuned.......

The finished steel necklace

Well, here is the completed necklace. I added a beautiful pewter focal (actually a button!) and some more dangles from the focal - a couple of vintage crystals, a vintage pearl, a ceramic leaf and a few other things. I also took some of the beads off the right side - although I loved the look of two beads per loop, it seemed to make the necklace a bit lopsided.

A fun necklace to make!