The Birds of Spring: two necklaces & a bracelet

by Barbara MacDougall.
(Ontario, Canada)

Shell birds, greasy green vintage Venetian seed beads, pewter bird pendant

All of these designs came about as one of those happy confluences of mindlessly packing for a show — under the gun as always — and these beads just happening to get piled next to each other. I immediately stopped packing and started stringing.

Bone birds, Afghan turquoise, carved jade lantern beads

I’ve been using vintage “greasy” Venetian seed beads a lot lately. The colours have a buttery depth and lustre that no modern glass beads can approach, and the colours seem to melt into one’s skin. It’s quite a magical effect.

Black tourmaline, pewter birds, blue & green Nacozari turquoise slab

I have displayed these necklaces at two bead shows now, and each time the bird beads I sell fly out of my booth. It’s such a simple and easy necklace to make with infinite colour and accent bead possibilities.

Black tourmaline, pewter birds, blue & green Nacozari turquoise slab, closeup

The bracelet came about as above — the beads somehow got piled together and there was my bracelet that designed itself. I just finished participating in The Gem Expo in Toronto and it seemed like every second person was wearing multiple “mala” style bracelets. Here is my version.

Barbara MacDougall
Barbara MacDougall Fine Turquoise
BarbaraMacDougall.com