3HR necklace - five

3HR necklace - five.  Made with sterling silver, vintage glass, acrylic, enamel and gemstone beads.

Length - 60cm from end to end.  These have been made to be stand alone pieces, but they also join to other necklaces or chains in our collection; making for an epic statement piece or layering with other faves.

This work is a revised take on pieces I began making in 2005, right at the beginning of my creative practice.  The original pieces were made with craft or florist wire and paired with vintage beads, trinkets, buttons, game pieces and various kitsch-y found objects.  The original necklaces and components have been in storage for years and they resurfaced late in 2023 when I was asked to go and speak to the graduating class of my former jewellery school.  My teacher and mentor asked me to bring work from the beginning of my practice, from when I was a student and more recent work to show the students how my practice and work has evolved and how I used the skills learned at TAFE in my current practice.  I was initially a bit shy to share these pieces, but I have had such a lovely time revisiting them and sharing them with you all on social media. 

Working on these pieces has brought immense joy to me and my practice at a time when I was very unwell; I hope the joy translates when you wear this piece.

These used to be called the "Three Hour Necklace" as they used to take me about that long ti put one together.  This was long before I had learned to make my own findings (clasps, jump rings etc) and long before I knew about cleaning up, polishing and work hardening metal.  I've kept the name and have individually numbered all of these necklaces.  No two will ever be the same and designs will not be repeated.