Turquoise and Copper

It is the day of the Bead Peeps Swap N Hop 18 reveal. Organised by Linda Anderson, this annual event encourages beaders across the globe to come together, exchange beads and create jewelry. My partner for the 2018 hop is Ms. Lori Schneider. Find all about her and the beads I sent her in the Beady Goodness post here.

Beads sent by Lori

During one of my chats with Lori, I told her that it is not easy to find Copper findings, Czech glass and vintage beads in India. So she sent me lots of copper. Copper clasps, little discs, beadcaps, flower petals, etched copper cheet, embossed copper sheet, some copper metal beads, some copper colored crystals,and even some antique copper eyepins. Everyone knows that there are only two perfect compliments to dark (antiqued) copper in terms of colours. They are light green and Turquoise. So it is no wonder that when I opened my goody box from Lori I found Turquoise and Copper colored beads inside.

There was also an enamelled charm and some wooden bark like components which I reserved for another project. I even got Indian glass beads that are sold 2 miles from my house which was hilarious. There was a pair of press earrings which took a lot of figuring out.

To be honest, we had sent each other pictures of the beads a week after we sent out our packages. We didn’t know how long it would take for our packages to travel between India and the US. We wanted to be prepared with a design even before we got our boxes. But still, I was in for a surprise when I opened the box. I hadn’t realised the true size of the beads and findings. They were either too big or too small for my initial designs.

Turquoise and Copper Necklace Bead Peeps Swap N hop 2018

Bead Peeps Swap N Hop 2018 reveal

I typically work with chunky beads and shy away from stacking beads to loop them as it makes the necklace look lean. This is an issue in India as most people associate chunky – thicker chains with a higher price. So in spite of doing intricate work of looping beads, it is not accepted as a “proper thing.” But having seen similar designs in US publications like Jewelry Stringing I wanted to try it. I took this opportunity to create the Turquoise and Copper necklace which has a chunky pendant with a thin necklace of beads.

turquoise and copper necklace by Divya N for sayuri

Turquoise and Copper Necklace

My design started with my experiments on adding colour to Lori’s Faux fossil. I had applied a bit of gold to one of her fossils for my Roses and thorns necklace and it was quite a hit. In the same vein, I added a smudge of gold ink along with a tinge of Verdigris patina ink to add a little lift to the bottom rim of the pendant. Apart from the heishi turquoise, howlite teardrops, and Copper beads, I also used some glass beads, round howlite, and glass crystals to complete my design. For some bohemian flair, I added wire wrapped beaded dangles and a feather charm. Here is my Turquoise and Copper necklace. This necklace is for sale. Earrings can be made on request. Please contact me to buy.

March Honey Do List

Originally this reveal was supposed to be on March 26th. Incidentally, it was also the day of reveal for Sarajo Wentling’s Honey do list. The ring and earrings shown below were made for that challenge using the beads that Lori sent me. Why? Because the beads and findings matched the inspiration and it sounded fun to combine them in the first place. Find my post on Copper jewelry for the Honey-do list here. 

Parampare – A sneak peak

Since I already revealed two of the three pieces that I made for the swap N hop I wanted to create a new piece for this reveal. But, I had go on a work trip this week (I just got back a few hours ago) and couldn’t suceed in making a new piece. However, I have something special for you. I have been partnering with a company called Coolture Designs to create a culture based collection for them. Called Parampare ( meaning Heritage in kannada) it is the celebration of Bangalore and Kannadiga culture. Here is one piece where I have sewn the howlite beads to a thread choker. The resin pendant decorated with rhinestones frames a beautiful image of the Mysore Durbar. Look forward to the full collection very soon.

Mysore necklace

These are the pieces that I made for the Swap N Hop. I am looking forward to reading you feedback and impressions. If you are new to my blog, I request you to look around. I write a lot on jewelry, visual culture and share my travel experiences here. I would love it if you keep in touch with me by subscribing to my blog and following my on social media. Also please visit my partner Lori’s blog Bead Addicted to see what she created with the beads that I sent her.

I hope you found it interesting
Cheers

24 responses to “Turquoise and Copper”

  1. Rozantia Petkova avatar

    The color combination is the perfect one, indeed, but your design makes it look even better! That touch of additional color on the focal has made a big difference and it stands out, even though surrounded by an intricate chain of many beautiful components! I’ve seen the ring in your older post but this picture shows even more gorgeousness! Your new collection looks intriguing!

    1. jewelsofsayuri avatar

      I feel that touch of gold or a splash of colour can make everything look better. Its Maybe because I am Indian I feel that way. Nice to know that it is working out

  2. Kari Asbury avatar
    Kari Asbury

    Gorgeous designs! I absolutely love the necklace!

  3. CraftyHope avatar

    How great that Lori thought to send you things that you get there (and a few that you can – ha!). The chain you made for the first necklace is so very interesting, full of interesting components and lots to study. I still LOVE that flower ring. Your stacking and shaping of those flowers was awesome. I think it was a neat idea for y’all to exchange pictures before the packages arrived so you could think on the designs, even if it wasn’t what you really expected – you had a starting point at least. Nicely done!!

    1. jewelsofsayuri avatar

      Oh yes, while it is wonderful to receive a surprise bead gift from a friend, exchanging pictures was really practical. Since both of us lead very busy lives, we were able to plan and strategise in advance. The first necklace came together in the first 2 days and I loved making little detailed connectors for it

  4. Alysen avatar

    Stunning! I can’t wait to see your new collection. You are one busy lady! I like that you include little snippets of life and traditions in India.
    When I tell my family (American) about life, traditions, etc. in France (where I moved 26 years ago), I get the impression that they really don’t care that much…

    1. jewelsofsayuri avatar

      Thank you Alysen. I hope you’ll find the new collection interesting too. I understand that romanticising about another place/tradition comes easily to some and very rarely to others. The best way to get someone interested in culture is travel! Apart from that food and music are great initiators. Once they see a place or eat the food and realise that they like it, I am sure family will want to know about the stories behind them and thereby their culture. I hope this approach works out for you

  5. Becky Pancake avatar

    Hi Divya, All of your designs are stunning. You combine components perfectly. Yes that extra touch of color makes things pop. The earrings are my favorite.

    1. jewelsofsayuri avatar

      Thanks for visiting Becky. I think that the earrings look pretty too and I have already worn them once

  6. Deborah Apodaca avatar

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE that ring! Wonderful work!

    1. jewelsofsayuri avatar

      Thanks Debora. Yes that ring is quite fun to wear with its pop of colour

  7. Neena Shilvock avatar

    Love turquoise and copper, love the ring and love Parampaare – and I see you’re using your gizmo 🙂
    Neena

    1. jewelsofsayuri avatar

      Thanks Neena. I don’t own a coiling gizmo, the coiled connectors were sent to by Lori

  8. michelle marson avatar

    Beautiful designs, the earrings are gorgeous

    1. jewelsofsayuri avatar

      Thanks Michelle

  9. Shai Williams avatar

    I am totally in love with the first necklace! It pretty much checks all the boxes in my mind that define Boho.

    I also can’t wait to see the debut of the new collection. One of the reasons that I follow your blog is your generosity in your sharing of the cultures behind your designs.

    1. jewelsofsayuri avatar

      Thanks Shai for that unreserved praise. I am glad that you find my posts interesting

  10. Maya avatar

    Wow! Lori has sent a wondrous package and I love the design of the first necklace – you matched the beads perfectly!

    1. jewelsofsayuri avatar

      Thanks Maya. The color combo is such that it works out pretty well

  11. Kathy Lindemer avatar
    Kathy Lindemer

    The colors and designs are wonderful. I found it interesting what you said about people from India favoring thicker chains. Good to know.

    1. jewelsofsayuri avatar

      Oh they thin chains when it comes to gold and silver but in terms of beads, chunkier is better

  12. linda anderson avatar
    linda anderson

    What GORGEOUS pieces, Divya! I love your ring – it’s just so sweet and simple! To me – the first necklace is a REAL showstopper! It’s FANTASTIC! You had such great pieces and worked really hard – you really did a WONDERFUL job with each piece! Congratulations! =)

    1. jewelsofsayuri avatar

      Thanks for organising this hop Linda. It was fun to swap goodies and create interesting pieces

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