A glowing commission and gemstones...

Davida of Old Bicycle Shop commissioned me to use some of her beads in a wirework piece. She sent me these gorgeous but challenging fluorescent beads. I was a bit stumped at first. I don't normally use beads like the leaves. But I mulled it over for a day and the ideas began to flow...



This is probably the most complicated and detailed bit of wirework I've done. I started with the center leaf, carefully wrapping it and designing as I went. I added some of the small, yellow beads to the wirework and attached one of the beautiful faceted green beads above. The design grew from there.

From the center leaf, each set of outer leaves has a gradually less complex design. I wanted it to linger and trail like vines, mimicking the leaf style. By far, I think the hardest thing was repeating the same wirework on the outer leaves. I'm one of those wireworkers who doesn't like doing earrings because of the symmetry, know what I mean?



Once the focal area was finished, I wrapped the large, faceted yellow beads adding a twist of wire on each bead for a bit more sparkle. The beads are beautiful and  sparkly enough, but why not? More sparkle the better!

And on that theme, I decided to do a two strand style of chain to finish off the necklace. It was time consuming to wrap all those little faceted beads, but well worth it. The necklace really shines.

I added a handmade extender chain so the necklace can be worn or displayed at varying lengths. It's finished off with one of the faceted green beads.



I have to give credit to Davida. She chose the beads and left the design to me. The colors and sparkling facets were perfect together, even if they were a challenge for me.

I keep checking Old Bicycle Shop to see if these beauties are in stock. Not yet, but I'm sure they will be! Davida also stocks a variety of unique and vintage beads, which I've used before. Have a look, you won't be disappointed!

Where are the gems, you say? Davida also chose an apatite and silver plated wirework pendant I'd previously made. I updated the pendant with a chain and a handmade extender.




A tiny apatite drop from my friend Tanya of PloiThai and FusionMuse finishes off the chain.




Hope you enjoyed the eye candy! And check out Davida and Tanya's shops for more beautiful beads and gems.