Free Project:  Dear Diary Necklace

I was surprised and pleased when I learned that Stringing editor Danielle Fox wanted to feature my Dear Diary necklace online in conjunction with Best of Stringing. You may download the free project instructions on Beading Daily—you do need to sign up, but it's free. My necklace is one of two featured.  The other is a wonderful necklace by the very talented designer Jen Judd.

I've been wearing this necklace quite a bit.  The green and bronze/copper combination is perfect for fall.  I'll admit I especially love the keys.  I tend to play with my jewelry (particularly in long, dull meetings) and these keys make fun playthings!

About the Project Name

It can take me longer to name a project than to design it!  I finally chose the name "Dear Diary" because of the keys used in the front of the necklace.  To me, they look like versions of the keys that often come with diaries.  Looking at it now, I can see that the name also has another, deeper meaning.  This necklace, the last one I created while editor of Beading Daily, combines many pieces from some of my favorite beadmakers and shops:  Green Girl Studios, C-Koop Beads, Jane's Fiber and Beads, Fusion Beads, Bead Cache, Ornamentea, Grace Lampwork Beads, The Beadin' Path, Antelope Beads, Lady Bug Beads.  It's like a beaded version of a diary entry from a certain time of my life.  Others may see a pretty necklace, but I see fond memories.

More Free Jewelry Designs

Looking for more free necklace, bracelet, and earring designs?  Take a look at the more than 16 free projects I designed for Beading Daily.  You're sure to find something that inspires your own unique designs!

I bought the very first issue of Stringing at a bookstore.  The bright cover necklace with coral and turquoise caught my eye.  I'd never heard of Interweave Press, nor of Jean Campbell, the editor who designed that cover piece.  I just thought it was a cool magazine.

So imagine my surprise that only a few years later I actually have something in this special issue, Best of Stringing.  My "Winter Blooms" necklace with the beautiful ivory porcelain vessel from Off Center Productions is one of the featured projects.  (I love working with their beads.  In fact, I'm just now submitting a piece to Stringing with one of their heart pendants.)

I also have a pair of earrings in Best of Stringing.  While I was quietly thrilled at the necklace that was chosen, the earrings made me laugh.  I have a friend who sometimes looks at my submissions to guess which ones might be accepted for publication.  She has been nothing but supportive about my jewelry designs, but I could tell she didn't like these earrings at all.  Of course, being a friend, she didn't come out and say that they were the ugliest things I'd ever made.  Instead, she said something like, "Uhh . . . I'm sorry . . . I don't think these are . . . maybe . . . your best work?" 

They are quite different.  I challenged myself to make a pair of earrings without the normal wirewrapping.  Instead, I used some paper cord and knotting to combine carved wooden beads and square shell beads.  I thought they were fun and funky and sent them in.  (The photo here is mine; the one in the magazine is better.)

In any event, I couldn't wait to show my friend this issue.  That's the fun of flipping through any jewelry magazine.  Everyone has different taste.  You might love something that I can't stand.  And vice versa.  It's a good thing.  Can you imagine a world where everyone was the same?