Razzling Red
A showstopper necklace of characterful red beads that is vibrant and full of life. For more info on the necklace, please click on Details, and if interested in my musings, please go to Story.
The identification of the beads starts from the bead in the centre, moving upwards, with measurement for some of the bigger beads, with metal beads named last.
Length: 54.5 cm (21.5”)
Weight: 107 gm
Ombre-toned orange-red and tomato-red Finnish wooded beads (17 mm); Deep red glass barrels by a Venetian beadmaker (27 mm long and 19 mm wide); Magenta red glass bead by a Japanese beadmaker; Thick red heritage Borneo glass disc; Red and white polka-dotted glass beads (19 mm), Vintage faceted Bohemian crystal bicones (bigger one 32 mm long and 17 mm wide), Vintage coral coloured Japanese resin beads, pre-World War II Czech orange glass melons, Vintage faux ‘cherry amber’, Red agate, Banded agate, Sponge coral cylinders, magnesite and contemporary glass beads
Gold filled crimp tubes
Silver toggle clasp
Silver Manik identity disc
I always knew I would make this necklace, given how much I love red beads, and had been collecting them over time.
This asymmetric necklace celebrates colour, shape and texture through a rich medley of vintage artisanal beads acquired over a period of time from Tokyo (the single magenta glass by a Japanese beadmaker, and the vintage coral coloured resin), New York (the pre-World War II Czech glass beads), London (the Bohemian crystal bicones from St James Church craft market), Venice (the two barrels are by a Venetian beadmaker), Helsinki, Nepal, Sarawak, and Singapore (the polka dotted beads came from the Bead Bar in Takashimaya). It is really an ode to beads and beadmaking, and while many are vintage beads, the mood is contemporary.
I loved designing of this necklace, working through different iterations to weave this final mosaic that is vibrant, lively, cheerful, warm and yet sophisticated! Perfect for someone who loves bold, characterful jewellery that emanates personality and creativity. I am calling it Razzling Red.
As is always my suggestion for symmetric necklaces, try flipping the necklace around on its sides to see which look you prefer! And you can also shift the beads around a little too, to create a somewhat different effect. This statement necklace would go well with a range of colours, I feel, from whites to (some) brights to darks, to a more muted olive. Enjoy
