What a difference some newly learned skills have made! I am taking a wonderful on-line workshop taught by Deryn Mentock. What is so awesome about this class is that we are learning to build sturdy, well-designed pieces. To show you what I mean, here are some photos of the same necklace that I built on my own (before I took it apart):
I made a beaded, macrame chain that I liked well enough, but I didn't love it. Then the macrame slipped, exposing the beading wire, so the whole thing ended up looking cheesy. Also, since Deryn taught us a little about design, I see that the beads and the macrame are too busy and detract from the focal.  |
| BEFORE |
 |
| AFTER |
In week 1, we learned how to make rosary-style links, S-links, jump rings, and clasps. Here is a close-up of my rosary links:
And one of my clasp:
Here is my twisted, wrapped jump ring:
And my focal, made in Linda and Opie O'Brien's class:
Now that I have the skills to build something solid, the effect is much more polished and professional looking, don't you think!
