Budding Branches Necklace Overview
The centerpiece for this necklace (the branches) is an adaptation of Christine Hayne’s “budding branches” necklace in the fall 2012 issue of Step-By-Step Wire magazine. I decided to go further with the “branch” concept in both color and texture—using gold and vintage bronze twisted square Parawire. I also used all one color of crystal as well more than the three in the original design and crimped the “branches” a bit (also helps keep the crystals in place).
Budding Branches Pendant Close-Up
For the chain I close a vintage bronze-look chain made by Plaid under their “GlamChain” brand. To make the pendant hang better I threaded 26 gauge gold Parawire through the chain and used it to make the connections. This also brought the visual “idea” of the gold color up throughout the necklace. There’s 9″ on chain on the clasp side and 12 on the other, making for a roughly 21″ necklace with a 3″ extender:
Budding Branches Clasp & Extender
To achieve proper drape the extender chain does not have wire woven through it. I finished off the extender with one of the same 6mmx3mm crystals as I used on the branches.
October 27, 2012
