Bead Crochet Necklace Adds Boho to Any Outfit
The Tucson Bead Show always offers new ideas and applications. This year, I fell in love with crochet. Fortunately, my fingers remembered crochet experience from an earlier time: “Can you say crocheted afghan anyone?”
Couture seamstress Rose Mary Jameson of SewFastDesign.com and SewFastBeader.blogspot.com introduced me to two-ply waxed linen and tiny, tiny crochet hooks during the Tucson Bead Show. Rose Mary’s class, Laguna Bead Crochet Necklace, both delighted and challenged me.
“Work your tension easily, evenly and quickly.”
“You’ve got this!”
With that, I finished my project off and popped it on! (I’ve hardly worn anything else since!)
Not only did I ‘get it,’ I loved it! I made three additional necklaces on the way home. I haven’t stopped yet!
What’s not to love about 2-ply waxed linen? It’s organic, thin but strong, casual and yet elegant, and absolutely perfect for Spring’s popular Boho look. Waxed linen works up nicely and the knots hold well, once set.
Threads, fibers, design and all manner of beads fascinate me. So it’s no wonder I have a special place in my heart for the enthusiastic and talented Rose Mary Jameson.
She used dangles with a confetti of charms to create additional interest on the long strands of The Laguna Bead Crochet Necklace. Imagine my excitement as I played with colors and customized charms for my friends.
For my friend seeking health: an old piece of pressed coral, a green glass bead, a Buddha, a hand with a heart in it, a declaration mantra – each charm was related and personalized to the theme of protection and caring.
The “happy bead crochet necklace” featured bright red and yellow glass and a collection of charms that danced when they dangled.
On a dressier gray and ivory bead crochet necklace, silver charms personalize the presentation: a dragonfly, a heart, a key, a piece of turquoise, the tree of life and more.
©2016, Mary Ellen Merrigan Bead Crochet Necklace, Sentimental Charms
There’s endless satisfaction in customization. A birthday present for a boating friend incorporated charms from her late aunt’s jewelry, in addition to a variety of shells and freshwater pearls. The sentimental value was off the charts.
Conclusion: Rose Mary gave me far more than a useful class. She instructed me in a technique I’m using to bring pleasure and beauty to others.
The Laguna Bead Crochet Necklace wears easily and comfortably. (NOTE to self: you can take your project necklace off now!) I demonstrated this project at Amapola Gallery on Valentine’s Day and plan to teach it in the near future. There’s no doubt you will see bead crochet necklaces with fun charms on them in my next show.
Disclosure: My work is on display at a local artists’ cooperative, Amapola Gallery on historic Old Town Plaza Albuquerque.
