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Why Did I Wait So Long To Make Longer Length Necklaces?

by Kim McDowell.
(Dillard, GA)

I have been making gemstone jewelry, primarily necklaces, for many years.

My closest friend recommended long ago that I make longer necklaces. I have finally seen the light!

I was inspired to make one when they became a recent fashion trend. I made it 30 inches long with a mixture of gemstones and glass beads.

I usually like to wear whatever I make one time to experience how it feels and looks on and see what comments I might get.

I found that I thoroughly enjoyed wearing it!

The longer length is very versatile as you can wear it with many different necklines. Also you can double it up and wear it as a choker.

My latest creation is made with large rectangular fancy jasper beads that are 20-25 mm long and are spaced with lustrous dark olive dyed fresh water pearls.

Metallic copper toned seed beads, copper rondelles, distinctive glass beads and 10 mm pale green jade beads round out the design.

Clasp is large copper toggle.

Kim McDowell
South2Southwest

Comments:

Great colors and length!
by: Rena

I love the colors you’ve combined here – and the way the tiny beads make the strand more lightweight. Copper was a neat choice for the clasp!

I think you’re a natural at designing long necklaces. :o)

Great Designs!
by: millie

I’m sooo– glad your friend suggested the longer pieces. I love the way you put different textures and colors of stones together, and the extra length makes them more versatile.

I had this same revelation TODAY!
by: Lori Mendenhall

funny I should see this right now, as today I decided I needed to make some longer necklaces. I usually do 16″ with a pendant but the longer styles look so great. I decided to do some – just like you did! rock on.

www.lorimendenhall.com

WOW
by: marie

I look forward to this newsletter every month and really love seeing how creative everyone is. Lori, I just popped over to your site. WOW!
marie www.inspiredendurance.com

thanks, I looked at yours too
by: Lori Mendenhall

Thank you, Marie. I looked at your site too. What a neat concept. I am going to forward the link to some of my runner friends.

Loving Longer Necklaces
by: Tricia – Bead Booty

I’m with you…longer necklaces are fun & easy to wear & even more fun to make. Yours are beautiful!

Deja Vu
by: Leslie

Just last week a client was asking about longer necklaces also. I like to make 18-22″ necklaces with pendants but was thinking about how to make the longer ones. I make ones my clients like that they can’t find in the stores, so will have fun with my stash of beads for sure. Thanks for encouraging those of us who have needed to rethink our direction.

GREAT ADVICE!
by: Elizabeth

I’ve started doing it as well, to meet the needs/wants of the younger generation (which only represents about 8% of my revenue).

Such a great tip because it just solidifies the fact that lengths from 24″-32″ are being well received, at least here in New York.

Please give your thoughts on what materials work where you live. Thanks!!!

Best,

Elizabeth
www.stonesinharmony.com

Great Idea
by: Ricki Ayer

I am always looking for new and different ideas. Now I am inspired to try some longer necklaces. I have thought about them before but never was sure how long to go so i stuck to what I was comfortable with. I am ready to check the stash and see what will lend itself to a longer piece. Thanks for the inspiration.

Diversification
by: Danie

I LOVE exploring new ideas! I’ve never been one to keep doing the same style for too long! I’ve started creating multiple pieces that can be hooked together to make longer items… wrapped to be bracelets, triple hooked to be waistlaces (yes, I made that up *giggle*). And just when something tries to get monotonous, that ever present muse runs up and tickles me and says “hey, what about leather and ribbons with that?” 🙂

www.designsbydanie.com

Yummy!
by: Cat

Fantastic necklace! I also hesitated to “go long”. But, like you, I finally tried a few and people seem to really like them! They seem to be more popular this year than in the last couple years. I try to do both, so people have a choice, but love the versatility of the longer ones, don’t you? Keep up the great work!

I Love Long Too!
by: Tamara

I agree … long necklaces are versatile, fun to make, and allow you to use up a great assortment of beads.

This fall I put a long necklace made out of a cream and brown mix of glass beads in a booth I rent in a store, and someone must have liked it because it and a similar-colored memory wire bracelet were stolen!

I find personally that I have to be careful of wearing really long necklaces. I used to like to wear chains and necklaces down to my navel, but found they were always getting caught on things and breaking, or nearly strangling me. For everyday wear I’ve had to give that up 🙁

switchin’ it up
by: pat barden

ijust read the mini-tip and followed the link to this–too funny–ijust this past week switched to copper rather than sterling silver.
it was basically to play withe larger gauge, at a much lesser price, to come up withe new ideas for sterling iwanted to make–ijust cannot afford to practice on 18 ga sterling silver–and ilove how it all came out.
Great Idea
by: Lee

This looks really beautiful. I’m sure it’s great on. I never make long necklaces either but now I’m going to do it. Great look.

long necklaces
by: Barbie H

Yeah, I think many people still like shorter a necklace, but for those who want to change it up, I like to make lengths that can wrap twice or three times around the neck for a multiple strand look. My girls like what they call the “long necklace” It is usually seed beads with small beads or chips at pretty regular intervals and fits three times around the neck, four times around the ankle and/or six times around the wrist. That length translates to somewhere between 45″ and 48″. Great impact for not a lot. Very Boho or Rock ‘n Roll depending on colors.

IT’s called a rut!
by: JewelryJeanne

We all get brain freeze in designing jewelry somewhere during our creative process.

I’ve been making jewelry for 27 years and had to take a hiatus as my sister got ill and passed at the age of 70 and my mom had a stroke and survived for the next 2 and 1/2 years. She passed at the age of 101 and a half. She always made jewelry with me and at 98 decided that she didn’t want to do any more shows! (We did 40 a year) She was my hook!!! Everybody loved her!

I decided to do 2 shows this Spring! A big bust for me but also a learning situation. Basically I repacked my old jewelry, only bought one space and failed to get my $$$ back! This brought me out of my 4 year funk!

One of my biggest sellers were lariets That I made with gun metal chain and Jet 2X bicones – 36″ long, simple and @ $30. JJ