Wonder and Whimsy July 2025 Reveal: Mid-Year Cleanup, Part 8

Today's reveal theme: Green and Gold!

Like everything else I've been showing off for this massive rolling reveal, these are both pieces that I made back in July--although I had actually started them long before. In this case, I started both of these necklaces back in March, originally for St. Patrick's Day. Obviously I didn't finish them in time for that, but I'm grateful that they are now both finished!

Necklace 1

First up, we have something that you're probably starting to recognize:

Yep! Another Russian spiral necklace!

When I said that I'm enjoying making these necklaces, I was not exaggerating. I love the way that they swirl, and how using slightly different shades of beads add subtle visual interest.

...I am also notoriously bad at actually finishing these necklaces, which is why so many have been showing up for this challenge. Weaving in the ends is not hard, but it is tedious, so I have approximately a zillion (read: a dozen) half-finished beaded spiral ropes lying around on my table. 

But now I have one more done, and one less unfinished project in my craft room!

Necklace 2

This next necklace also uses seed beads. In fact, it was inspired by this bead mix, which I believe was from The Bead Place: 

...Yep. That above picture is from March. That was when I strung a random mix of the seed beads onto a piece of SoftFlex beading wire, making a simple strung necklace. I didn't just want to leave it there, but was unsure how to finish it. 

So it sat on my desk for months.

I really wanted to finish it, though. So, I challenged myself to do just that. 

This is what I came up with!

I leaned into the eclectic bead-mix feel of the original piece, making a charm pendant from Czech glass beads and a faceted charm I had (I think it's cubic zirconia, but I'd have to check). I also added some chain for an extra pop of gold to help tie it all together.

I wish I could get better pictures of this piece. It actually lays really nicely, and the gold chain is not nearly so awkward. All told, I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out... and, again, I'm pleased to have another finished necklace!

So, there you go. Two more pieces I made for this challenge! 

...What can I say? I was really busy in July.

Believe it or not, I do have a few more things to show. Those reveals should be coming up soon-ish. Stay tuned!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!