The Last Clasp!

I finally finished my last piece for the "Elegant Elements" clasps!  

This piece started out as a smaller version of my piece "Chione"

"Chione"

 Both are beaded directly onto a lace collar, leaving some of the lace on the collar to show through.

the back

After finishing the main body of the necklace, I had to decide on a neck chain that would accent the clasp.  After experimenting with a few shapes, I settled on some beadwoven "s" shapes.  A little out of my comfort zone, since bead embroidery is more my thing!

 

But alternating these shapes with some bead embroidered pieces, I was happy with the neckchain.

Well, now comes the fun part.  I wanted to put the beautiful clasp on the front to showcase it, but couldn't think of a way to do it what would look balanced. So I wrote to Steven at the Beadsmith and asked if I could buy another matching clasp from him.  This guy is something else- I had the clasp within a couple of days- no charge!!

Why did I need another one?  I placed one on either end of the neckchain so it would detach.  Then, you can clasp the neckchain and have a whole other simpler necklace!!  I didn't know for sure if it would work out OK- but decided to give it a whirl.

both parts of the necklace, detached 

the neck chain clasped together to form a simpler necklace

closeup

So there you have it- a convertible necklace!!  I think I am done with pearls and crystals for awhile though. I'm moving on to my comfortable earthtones!