Snowflowers...

The theme for the Artbeads.com challenge this season is: Winter Enchantment. We were asked to create a piece that embodies what we find beautiful or inspirational about the season. In my my mind, I envisioned something that would be worn by a wintery nymph, frost-encrusted, and glittering with icicle adornments. For the project, I chose Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, silver jump rings, and used a sterling silver small flower clasp from my family.

I call this piece, "Snowflowers". The Swarovski crystal encrusted Silver-plated filigree components were perfect! They were delicate, seemed to bloom with icy coolness and when clustered together, provided a most excellent focal.

I wanted to keep the necklace as airy and crystalline as possible, but also wanted to capture the feel of snow. Snow is not just "plain white". With the changing of light and the cast of shadows, snow picks up subtle hints of pale pinks, light blues, and misty grays. Pearls, with their layers of nacre, also have this ability to absorb light and shift lustrously. I wire-wrapped the Keshi pearls, creating a chain of irregular points of light.

Above is a close-up shot of the focal elements. The new Swarovski crystal Xilion Mini Pear Pendants look like frozen teardrops. They capture and reflect the light magically and add a touch of whimsy and glittering movement suspended by jump rings.