A little custom order

I love it when someone asks me to do something just for her.

Recently a friend stayed for a few days to relax and we got to talking about how she couldn't find the right necklace to go with a really great top she bought.

What else could I do but invite her to my underground lair...uh, studio...to have a look through my supplies and come up with something all her own.
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Our husbands rolled their eyes as we went through different options and ideas. Beads...glorious beads! Even though I have a lot of material, she came to her decision very quickly. Pink and shimmery. These mother-of-pearl donut discs became the focal point. We finessed the rest - strawberry quartz nuggets and just a touch of malachite and white mother-of-pearl. So much fun, and you know...both of the guys stuck around when I started fusing the chain right then and there. I guess it's the torch. Men like fire, right?

A few sketches and thoughts from her and I had my pattern. It would just be a matter of building it and trying things out with craft wire first. I do that a lot, actually. What else is craft wire for? 
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I put everything into a project box and ordered the wire I needed to make it really durable and tarnish-resistant since she will have to hand polish and not use a tarnish dip. Mother-of-pearl doesn't play well with harsh chemicals. As I worked through the component parts, the whole piece came together beautifully. If I have to walk away for a while, I take a lot of notes on wire measurement and tool placement so I can pick up right where I left off. I even added a couple of extra touches in the clasp and extender so that it will be as lovely from the back as it is from the front (she has short hair, so it will show). It's polished and bold, but also very natural.

And it went out today. She will rock it.