Yin Yang: Miss Jackie-O

In fairness, my last post on the Bam-Bam necklace was for a friend at the office who has absolutely exquisite taste.  I think that is why the post is all the more absurd. The first time she asked me to work on a piece for her she asked if I could find something to bring out the light blue color in her eyes.  I went hunting for chalcedony, but came back with a string of lace blue agate rounds (right).  I had expected to make a simple pair of earrings, but when I showed her the stones she gasped and said "perfect!"  She wanted a full necklace with the strand.  


Whenever I first start working with someone new, I typically ask them to explain what style they wear. Or to bring in pictures of pieces that they love so I can get a sense of what they typically like. I prefer a picture. It tells me much more than my friends can describe to me.


In this case she came in wearing a necklace that she loved.  It was made by a friend of her's while she was living in Italy.  It was a beautiful Cartier style necklace... with simple pearls set with small black beads as spacers. The style was so classic and the Yin Yang of the black & white contrast was completely elegant.

The necklace told me everything I needed to know. I could tell from her love of Cartier style jewelry, that Jackie O is the best image that describes her --- classic, elegant styles that still work today.  My Jackie O friend is so put together with pencil skirts, scoop necks and her hair tucked up in a twist.  The only difference is that she is blond and blue eyed. 


I LOVED the general idea of the necklace. I decided to use it as the basis for the necklace I created for her. First I tried the pattern with some antique pearls I inherited from my mother (left). This necklace and style is the basis for a new vintage line I'm designing. You can check it out at my Etsy shop.    


I adapted this idea again for the necklace I created for my friend. I used small fresh water, heshi pearls to space the lace blue agate.  I finished it with a simple silver box clasp and striking blue focal bead.  It was absolutely beautiful on her.  Once finished she said "do you think you could make some earrings to go with this?" Easy peasy. I love designing for her. Absolutely everything looks amazing on my friend. Even that Bam-Bam necklace did! But this Jackie O style is stunning, and really sets her apart.