Monday, April 4, 2011

Chicos Inspired Necklace and Earrings

So I was at the mall last week wandering through several of my favorite stores. I don’t sew that well so I don’t knock off clothes. Trust me, people saying "Oh, you made that" about a clothing item would NOT be saying it in a tone conveying their awe at my dressmaking skills. More like "OMG, didn't anyone see you before you left the house?"  But jewelry I can  do.

I saw something like this at Chicos ( this is from their website) :
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The one I saw was  longer and $48. I’ve seen variations of these long chain necklaces, some with beads incorporated. I had a couple of styles of Bead Landing chain on hand from Michaels, along with leftover washers from my Washer Charm Bracelet and beads from my stash.

The fun thing about this is there is no right or wrong. I wasn’t going for symmetry so I threaded some beads on wire and made wrapped loops on either end and then joined them to different lengths of pieces of chain:
Metal Necklace and Earrings

Faceted Metal Beads

Metallic Bead

It was such a fast project I had time to make a pair of matching earrings!

Hammered Metal Clips

I can’t wear pierced earrings so these are clip-ons. Just glued the clip backs (I love Beadalon’s adhesive for this) to some findings and attached one loop from leftover chain to each earring using a jump ring. Added a bead and a small washer to complete.

Metal Madness Earrings
They look a lot heavier than they are. They’re actually really light. Nothing like making something in the morning to wear  for something you need to go to in the afternoon!
Linking Up At:
Anything Related

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15 comments:

Beverly {Flamingo Toes} said...

This is super sweet Carol!! I love the different chains and beads together. Such a fun look. The earrings are so cute too!

Team Chastain said...

Totally cute! I like yours better than the Chico's ones, for sure!

Michelle L. said...

Purty! I really like the black crystals with the silver!

JC's Loft said...

So cute!

Paula

Melissa said...

Jewelry is fun to make - I wish I wore it.

B said...

Ooooo I love what you've made - very stylish!

~ www.billiemonster.com ~

Lyuba @ Will Cook For Smiles said...

These are beautiful... (love the name of your blog too :)
Nice to meet you!
Hope you can stop by and meet me too at http://willcookforsmiles.blogspot.com/
Visiting from UBP

Camilla M. Mann said...

Visiting from A Little Birdie Told Me...what a cool idea! Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Love the jewelry! I think that might be the one craft I haven't tried....very intimidating!! Great job!
www.lizyb.com

Nikki ~ Let's Craft!! said...

Stop by my blog: http://bestpartofbelieveis.blogspot.com/
I awarded you the stylish blogger award :)

~ Nikki

Janelle said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and your lovely comments :) Love the necklace and the earrings! Love the antique tone of the metal parts combined with the crystals. I also visited the Chico's site. They do have a lot of pretty stuff.

Naturally Me Creations said...

Ooh, i like being able to make my own version of a bracelet if i can't (ie don't wanna pay for it) buy it. :)

What's nice about your necklace is all the different items you used, it makes it more interesting than using the same chain throughout. :)

Tnx for stopping by again to link this up at Who Made What? Weekends! :)

★Rebekah {All Thingz Related}★ said...

I love this set! I am a major earring girl. I can go without my rings or bracelets but if I forget my earrings I feel incomplete, ha!
Thanks so much, Carol, for joining me each week at Anything Related!

Fonda @Southern Scraps said...

Another great jewelry set!

Jenn Erickson said...

Carol, I can honestly say that I like your necklace even more than the original!

You are one very multi-talented gal and I consider myself very lucky to know you and have you sharing your creativity at Rook No. 17!!!

Jenn