Bead Crochet Necklace

I've finished my first bead crochet necklace.  I wanted it to be a choker, so it's about 16.5 inches in length.  I'm really pleased with the results.  I used size 8 hex beads in colors I love.  I have a lot of size 8 hex beads that I buy from my friend

Leslie.  I make reversible knitted bead cuffs with them, and I use them in my freeform beadweaving also.  I love the way the light reflects off of those angles!  This combination happened to be sitting on my work table and I thought it would make a wonderful fall necklace.  I call it Burnished Olives.  I had been trying to decide what I was going to do next for a bead crochet project.  I wanted to make a necklace and these colors spoke to me.  Of course, this means that I'm finally moving out of my summer color mode and into fall colors, which is a sure sign that the seasons are getting ready to change.  I'm very affected by the changing seasons, both with the colors I wear, and the colors I work with.  But, more on that at another time. 

I always try to think about what the closure will look like when I begin a piece of jewelry, and I try to use different techniques.  I'd been wanting to use a magnetic clasp covered with a peyote tube and this was my chance to do that.  I like the ease of a magnetic clasp, but I don't think they're very attractive all by themselves. 

I used copper size 8 seed beads and made a peyote tube.  I did a picot edge with size 11's in colors that coordinated with the hex beads.  I then did a picot stitch down the middle of the the tube using the same 11's.  I wrapped it around the necklace and zipped it  closed.  It moves out of the way when  I want to put the necklace on.  I'm really pleased with the results and I think it's going to become one of my favorite fall necklaces.  Of course, I say that all the time about the newest necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings I've made!

Here are some close ups of the closure. 

 

I hope you have a wonderful day, and thanks for stopping by and sharing your time with me.