Ombre Necklace

This was an experiment I whipped up this weekend.  I wanted to try something that was a little modern and was definitely influenced by the ombre and color spectrums I've been seeing on Pinterest lately.

I created a set of disk beads in a green, teal and purple colorway using my willow, birch and floral designs for each bead.

I then fashioned a chain out of steel wire.  I love that every part of this necklace was created by me, from the beads, to the chain - even the jump rings and clasp.  (There are some tiny nickel seed beads tucked in between the disks.) It's amazing what you can do with wire.   

I'm working on designs for fall and holiday shows.  I would like to have a line of jewelry that I offer on a more regular basis. 

Sometimes I miss making jewelry and selling at shows, that is where I started when I was in art school.  Jess and I would do shows together on the weekends.  I miss those summer Art in the Park events, meeting customers, visiting with other artists, spending the day outside - hopefully under a canopy of trees and with a fresh cool breeze.  Yep, miss those days! 

In between the weekends of the big shows we'd set up for a few hours at the farmer's market - mixed in among fresh flowers and an abundance of zucchinis, crisp green beans and juicy tomatoes.  And then as September came we would enjoy our weekends in churches and high schools, selling at holiday shows until December.  Those were fun and simpler times.  Doing those smaller shows definitely have their place when paying your dues and building up your client base.  We sort of out grew the 'crafts-on-a-stick' shows while living here in Texas.  I know now to focus on shows that feature art work and higher end crafts. 

How about you - do you do shows?  What are your favorite types?  I still like shopping at all of them!