ArtFire

TIMELESS MEDLEY is a truly unique necklace - one that looks as if it is an ancient artifact recovered from an archaeological dig! Handmade with gorgeous etched agate, amber and copper, it is a perfect piece for the discriminating woman who loves and wears one of a kind (OOAK) jewelry. A lovely necklace for the coming Fall season, TIMELESS MEDLEY was carefully handcrafted by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.

My jaw about dropped when I first saw the agate beads used in TIMELESS MEDLEY. Each one has its own matchless personality and look as if they are thousands of years old. But they are new agate beads that have been acid treated in a manner that IS thousands of years old, at least to the 3rd millenium BC in Mesopotamia! The outer color of the agate beads is various shades of gray, from a lighter gray to a darker. Then acid was used to etch random shaped "windows" in the gray, revealing colors from a mustard yellow to an orangey-brown to a dark brown and many various shades in-between, sometimes on the same bead. Most of the "windows" have a black outline to highlight the colors even more. The finish on the agate beads is a subtle, glowing matte look which, again, seems to emanate an ancient feel. Five groups of three agate beads, each separated by pure copper daisy spacers, make up the front of the necklace. Five agate beads, again separated by copper daisy spacers, finish the necklace back.

To add even more radiance to TIMELESS MEDLEY and to bring out the colors of the agate "windows", I chose Baltic amber nuggets in a rich golden honey color. Such a gorgeous glow the amber nuggets have! I love draping the necklace in my hands and moving it back and forth to see the way the light catches the amber. Three amber nuggets make up 6 groupings, each grouping separated from the agate rounds by 2mm copper beads.

The body of the necklace was crimped to a copper s-clasp set through copper wire protectors using sterling silver crimp tubes. The crimp tubes were then encased with copper crimp covers to mimic 3mm copper beads. The copper s-clasp was handmade by me. It was formed and then hammered to give strength and texture to the piece. Copper closed rings connect the s-clasp to the necklace for a perfect finish to a beautiful necklace.

For a better understanding of the relative size of the stones in the necklace, please be sure to check out photo #9 for a size comparison with a dime.

Agate is used to help ease stressful situations, protect against danger and promote strength and healing. Amber is used as a good luck and protective stone; it is said to bring romantic love, wisdom, energy and balance. Copper is said to allow the wearer to recognize the barriers which are in the path of personal development.

Here is the important information for TIMELESS MEDLEY:

Agate rounds: app. 12mm
Amber nuggets: from app. 10mm x 5mm to 8mm x 4mm
Metal: copper
Clasp: handmade s-clasp; copper
Length: app. 18"/45.7 cm

TIMELESS MEDLEY will come with two informational drop tags: one with the piece's name; the other lists the materials used in the necklace and the language of the stones and metals.

TIMELESS MEDLEY is such a beautifully unique necklace, one that, when purchased, will give you a jump on Autumn. It is a necklace that will be treasured for many, many years to come!

***Please be aware that not all monitors show colors exactly the same. The colors of the items used to create my jewelry are extremely close to the actual color on my monitor. The colors may appear lighter or darker on your monitor.

Shadow Dog Designs
Unique Handmade Jewelry
for the Discriminating Woman

I am fascinated by ancient artifacts (in fact, I was an archaeology major for two semesters in college). Beads that have a rustic, old quality to them are like magnets to me. When I saw the agate beads at a local bead shop, a picture of a necklace immediately popped into my mind. TIMELESS MEDLEY was that picture made a reality (:

Acid etched agate beads; amber nuggets; copper daisy spacers, 2mm beads, 3mm beads, crimp covers and handmade s-clasp; sterling silver crimp tubes; 49 strand jewelers wire

Carefully handmade in a pet friendly, smoke free studio.