Machinery Parts Necklace

by Gemini Gypsy Creations.
(Juneau, Alaska)

This necklace was inspired by watching my husband work on some machinery. Of course, making jewelry is always on my mind so some of the parts he was using really caught my eye.

The U shaped rings come in many different sizes and are called split rings or retainer rings and are made of steel. They can be found in hardware and auto parts stores. And, best of all, they are inexpensive.

This particular necklace is made with the steel retainer rings, sterling jump rings, aluminum disc pendant and silver plate and gunmetal chain and clasp. As the sterling oxidizes the color will just blend in with the rest of the piece.

It definitely required some problem solving to keep the necklace flexible but those kind of problems always sort of get the ‘juices’ flowing for me.

This necklace sold at a craft show and was to be a gift for a mother-in-law. I hope she liked it!

I have some smaller retainer rings that I think will make some neat earrings.

Making this necklace was a real stretch for me as I’m usually more mainstream in my creations.

Marcia Etheridge
Gemini Gypsy Creations