Despite the fact that I make my own components for many of my necklaces, I always seem to be short on clasps. I have this tendency to design my pieces - and then lack a solid clasp to finish the piece. Silly, really. Anyway, I thought I'd just fiddle around and make a few new ones, although I don't have any specific design in mind for them, at the moment.
I've been using a lot of simple square sterling toggles in my work lately, and I like their clean, geometric look. So, this time, I threw over my usual preference for circle clasps and spent some time with your basic square and rectangle shapes, instead. I like the results, although, looking at the photo now, the one on the left looks downright sooty, rather than nicely patinated - I'll have to fix that. My favorite is the feather one in the center (the toggle bar is supposed to be a twig, but I'm not sure that actually comes through adequately).
Now my challenge is to see how well they wear. Hmm, maybe it's time to design a few new necklaces...
On other fronts, I can't believe it's October already - ack! This is one of my favorite months, but I have tended to view it's arrival with some trepidation in recent years - as it usually means the clock is ticking to get the Short One's Halloween costume ready. I have surrendered and decided to use felt fabric instead of knitting his Robin Hood hat. It galls me, but I'm just not experienced enough with felting knit hats to get the right size and shape, and at this point, I don't have enough time to experiment with it. Oh, well, I doubt it will matter to the SO.
On a more positive note, Swell Life designer Alexa Westerfield has decided to hold Terrorific Tuesdays again this month. Yay! If you are unfamiliar with this gathering - it's a Halloween-themed crafty blog round-up. I had a great time participating last year. For an example of Terrorific Tuesday projects from 2008, go here. (If you would like to see the rest of the projects from October 2008, they are available in my blog archives.) Look out for Terrorific Tuesday, starting next week!
Thanks for visiting!
6 comments:
if you have any trouble designing necklaces with those babies, you let me know. I'll hook you up with a real good beader.
*wink wink
These are gorgeous Melissa!
Jenn Kelly
Is there anything that you do that I don't love? Nope. Love them all. I like the feather one too. I think that would make a really cool focal on it's own.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
Erin, As usual, we are totally in sync. I like designs where the ornamental clasp is worn in front as a focal, and I created the feather clasp with that in mind.
The clasps are lovely! They're a nice change from the typical round clasp. My favorite is the one on the left, but I agree that it might need a little spit-shine.
Thank you for sharing your work. I am a firm believer that the clasp can make or break your design.
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