The most complicated/simplest necklace I've ever made.

My bead bins!

Knowing how to make jewelry has ruined my shopping experiences forever, as I'm always looking at a necklace in a store, for example, and saying to myself, "I can totally make that, I'm not buying it!" Actually making said necklace is an entirely different story, but I promise I have good intentions.

So, a couple of years ago, I was shopping with my cousin, Liza, and she saw a necklace that she liked. It was a simple multi-strand black seed bead necklace. She asked, "Can you make this for me?" I said, "Of course!"

And then I didn't do it.

Thennnn, in the fall of 2010, a new Michael's opened a few blocks from home! While it's a relatively small store, they have a HUGE bead/jewelry making section. I snatched a hank of black seed beads, ready to make good on my intentions and get Liza that necklace!

And then I didn't do it.

Thennnn, Liza (and her friend Carrie) came to visit us this past weekend! I thought, "PERFECT! I'll make it while we're watching the Super Bowl, and she'll be able to take it home with her."

All set to go! If only I knew what I was in for...

Here's the thing: stringing seed beads is possibly the most tedious and time-consuming thing ever. I mean, I've made a lot of jewelry, which you will all see if you keep checking back here on the blog of awesomeness. But, this took hours. HOURS. The beads were too small for a needle to pass through the holes, and I decided (mistakenly) to use button thread instead of beading wire, which meant I had to move the beads a few at a time from the thin, puny little thread on which they came to the button thread. And, oh, did I mention there were 18 strands of teensy little beads?

18 strands of awesome

Lots o' black button thread

 Whatever, the point of all of this is: I made a necklace for Liza! And here it is!

I didn't finish in time for her to take it home, but it will shortly be on its merry little way to her in South Carolina, and she better wear it all the time. Even when she's sleeping. I love you, Liza!