craftgrrl | A necklace and a story!

Hi all. I just wanted to give a little update, a lot of thanks, and share some crafty pictures with you all. A necklace is made, and there's a story to go with it!

I just had this itch feeling that said "Go to Hobby Lobby today!!" I'm glad I did. While there and getting jewelry supplies a woman who looked puzzled and lost turned and asked if I made jewelry. She explained she was looking for supplies to make her daughter jewelry to match her prom dress. She was at a loss though as she'd never done this before. Mom and I pointed out supplies she'd need and as she realized more and more just how much she'd need for the one work setting, she seemed to be bogged down.

I knew that she'd end up buying way more than she'd need and then unless she decided to do more in the future, would have no use for it. I considered that I already had a lot of the supplies and tools and knowhow. So I offered to make it for her free of charge if she'd pay for the supplies. She beamed so brightly and gladly agreed. She explained that for the necklace and earring set they saw in Dillard's they'd be paying well over $100, and I know how expensive the prom dress alone probably was.

Total cost of the supplies was about $30, and we bought out all the stones of one type that were in stock on the shelf. Better to have too many and be able to return the extras than not have enough at all. So now I'll put that together and begin final organizing of jewelry packs. I plan to try and arrange them by prices and put little marks by them to show what areas are what. I'm just happy I could help the woman. She seems very nice. And even neater is that she works at the hospital next door to the one mom works at! I thought she looked really familiar too! And she said the same about us, hehe. So even though we'd never met we sorta knew each other.

Anyway, here it is! Step by step process, or as best as I could take the pictures while working.

The supplies shown overall(top), and then upclose(below).

Stringing the necklace. Put on nylon beadstring. Once I strung all the beads I took crimps to hold the string and folded it over, doubling back inside the beads. Then I clasped off the ends, using a little Goop to secure it.

The finished set.

Up close detail. I used a small lobster claw clasp and leaver backed earring posts.

And that's that!

In other news for those of you who responded to that post I made about the no-pay person, that's been settled. In my eyes anyway. I IMed her the other evening and told her how it was. Anyone really interested in seeing what I said, drop me a line and I'll share. But thank you all for your concerns and your thoughts. Confirming the information about money orders was very helpful. I'd also like to thank the people who suggested what I should do to repair this ceramic candle holder. That's one of the next projects on my list! And thank you to the people who offered what information they could on the possibility of pressing orchids. I didn't get to use these flowers, but maybe next time. =)