I’m not sure why, but lately I’ve had the circus on my mind. I find the juxtaposition of hard graphic lines, fabric, black, white, and bright colors to be stimulating. So how do you translate an inspiration like this into jewelry without it winding up too cheesy?
Here’s how I did it.
I’ve really been digging this aluminum chain lately – it’s so light-weight and fluid… plus, it comes in awesome colors. I choose a smaller black curb chain for this lariat and then wove green and dark lilac soutache through it for a stripy, textured element. A foldover cord end finishes the ends of the soutache, which allowed me to use the loop on the ends of the crimps for my jumprings. These twisted jump rings remind me of hula hoops… they have those at the circus, right?
For the dangles on the end of the lariat, I used the twisted jump rings to link Swarovski “smacks” (flattened, oval shaped beads with a hole on either end) together. These vintage crystal links are so sturdy and fun to use. Continuing the vintage theme, I ended the dangle by wiring teal vintage glass drops and a 2-hole yellow vintage glass trapezoid-shaped bead onto the last “smack.”
The finished lariat is still nice and light-weight, but the dangles add enough weight so that it stays tied. I’m excited to wear it around the shop… I hope you’ll come by and see it, too!
– Lindsay
