Before I got too far on this next necklace that I’ll call “Talisman for the Deep Blue Sea”, I remembered to photograph them as they arrived as a present from my son. He was able to respond to my heavy hint to visit Nomad Beads and see what Jake might have for me. These gorgeous beads are Russian Blues, and old cobalt pony beads.
Russian Blues & Old Blue Glass Beads
The Russian Blue beads are antique hand faceted glass, worn down with age and handling, even the chips are worn smooth. They are rare and such a pleasure to handle. Made in Bohemia, they were used by Russian fur traders. The smaller cobalt glass are opaque, giving a nice contrast to the translucency of the others. I also love their uneven shapes and slight variation of color.
Russian Blues & Old Blue Glass Beads , beads & Talisman for Deep Blue Sea start
As I started to design this necklace I kept thinking of ultra marine blue and the deep blue sea, so I hunted around for other shell beads of different size and shape, these gorgeous denim lapis lazuli perfectly round ones & the old white melon ones. I found a sterling kayak to add, and some one of a kind handmades by Mark L. Roberts and Phyllis Surgener.
Russian Blues &Old Blue Glass Beads & Talisman for Deep Blue Sea Start
This is the second very long – 36″ – necklace I’ve made. The idea is that it can be a single long one or a double strand worn closer around the neck. That is a large old mother of pearl button, with a 4″ dangle. The start of it seen above is about 1/4 of the way complete. Some the beads have holes too large to accommodate a knot, but there are many knots after the smaller holed beads. They are for the most part not visible, because I choose the next bead after the knot to slide over that knot.