Elena Adams Designs

Contact Me | Ordering Information

View Cart

BLOG

Jewelry news from the road, events, updates and goings on

« Summer Blog TourDesigning: Sterling Silver Moonstone Earrings »

05/14/10

Designing: Sterling Silver Signature Choker

Sterling silver signature chain maille chokerI have a terrible weakness when it comes to brand new rings. I usually buy them intending to make them last through all sorts of jewelry pieces, but having a pile of sparkling silver in front of me is like putting a steak in front of a dog and telling it to just take a nibble.

All I want to do is make something super elaborate, and the thrill of having heavy-gauge rings for a change is too tempting.

There's something really satisfying about working with heavy jump rings in large sheets. I nearly always work with tiny rings in delicate designs, so it feels nice to sometimes work outside the norms.

That's pretty much how this one started - I began making a large sheet of European 4 in 1 chain, with little plan as to where it was going. As it developed I started thinking about what it would become, considering everything from an extra-wide bracelet, to an arm band, and then finally I settled on a choker.

The chain feels so good, and when you first put it on the cold silver is incredibly sensual. I made a band thick enough, and nearly long enough for the basic shape and then tapered down the front to form more of a collar.

I knew a conventional clasp was never going to be possible so I played with some thick silver to create a series of hooks that could latch into the chain, forming a multiple-point clasp in the back. At this point, I thought the plain silver was looking just like that - plain silver, and as much as I liked it, it desperately needed something more.

Sterling silver choker in chain mailleMy sense of fashion is a messy mish-mash of style. I tried the goth thing in high school, did a little hippy in college, tried out punk at my first job, but never really settled into any of them.

The year before making this piece I'd modified a pair of jeans into pedal pushers with red ribbon trims, and I'd spent far too long hanging out in fabric shops buying ribbon I would never really use.

Fishing through a box of these forgotten relics, I came across some very simple black ribbon.

Black and silver has always been one of my favorite combinations, so it seemed perfect. I picked apart the two sides of the chain maille, then set about lacing the ribbon, tying at the base.

The ribbon is just tied in, so it can easily be adjusted for a larger neck. I wish I could wear this choker, but my lifestyle of work, work some more, then sleep for a few hours, doesn't really lend to show-stopping necklaces.

This is definitely another favorite of mine, and Laura did an incredible job modeling it.

See the Signature Sterling Silver Choker here.

Don't forget to keep getting your entries in for the jewelry prize pack. Entries close at the end of the month.

Also, look out for Laura's interview coming up next week!

Categories: Jewelry News

XML Feeds





Get jewelry updates, how-to videos and special offers: