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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Custom Necklace - 4H Memories

4H Leadership
Leading by Example
The caring support of adult volunteers and mentors inspires young people in 4-H to work collaboratively, take the lead on their own projects and set and achieve goals with confidence. 4-H’ers chart their own course, explore important issues and define their place in the world. 4-H’ers stand up for themselves and their communities.
These pivotal experiences build a foundation of leadership and skills for success in their future careers.


Last Fall, one of my customers commissioned me to do a vintage redesign necklace for her Mom as a surprise Christmas gift.  Cassie's Mom, just so happened to be her 4H leader for years when she was a young girl.  Cassie knew that she wanted it to be a memory necklace of this special time in this Mother/Daughter duo's life, and thus she sent me two 4H pins.  She asked that I use the two pins which I used in this necklace, and to design one of them into the focal.  She asked that I use one of my unique found elements as the focal with the pin and use antiqued gold tones.

Details shot of the focal with one of the 4H pins.

Not likely to happen with this heavier focal, but Mimi-Toria's Designs, has a reputation to uphold, that being cutting edge with designs, each one created is one-of-a-kind, details, details, details, and backs of focals are often created two sided in case the piece flips.  Thus, keeping an ugly backside of a piece being seen.  This necklace was no exception and I chose to use this filigree element with the Paris Eiffel Tower for its coloring which worked with this design.
Some of the details here the second 4H pin being used here as the connector between the focal and the chain portion of the necklace.  The ribbon is silk in a two tone shade that compliments the colors used in this necklace.  Th 4H were a rusty brown hue, so I chose to use ivory faux glass vintage pearls and rust toned freshwater pearls for the beads and antiqued gold tone chain sections.

I used a mix of 22g and 24g wire, thus wire-wrapping the 24 g sections and using rosary style loops for the 22g wire sections.

A fun mix of elements create the dangle portion of the necklace flowing freely from the focal portion at the bottom.

I also used some baroque brown toned faux glass vintage pearls in the chain section of the necklace to add another dimension and style as well as color into the mix.

I hand created a clasp for this necklace, as well as stamped a Mimi-Tori's Designs i.d. tag to attach to the piece.  I also wire wrapped a fun little stack of beads and vintage rhinestone roundel to the clasp section of the necklace.

I thought this was such a sweet necklace idea that Cassie came up with to give to her Mom for  Christmas 2010.  Again, I just came upon this file folder on my computer recently while doing some organizing and thought it might be fun to share.

Interesting facts about 4H:

Research shows those children involved in 4H are:

Nearly two times more likely to get better grades in school
Nearly two times more likely to plan to go to college
41 percent less likely to engage in risky behaviors
25 percent more likely to positively contribute to their families and communities.


8 comments:

  1. You did a great job incorporating the pins into the necklace - very pretty.
    I have my MYF pin that I plan to work with before to long. I was tempted to get my supplies out today, but this is going to be a busy week, so refrained. :D
    Enjoy your evening.

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  2. Gretchen, what a fun post! I love all the comments/facts/history about 4H! And I especially LOVE the way my mom's necklace turned out! Your designs are just an awesome way to preserve memories! Thank you so much!

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  3. How fun is that! Reminds me of my 4H days...long ago!

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  4. I was an avid 4-Her! Love the necklace and the info tidbits...Tiff

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  5. How sweet is that??
    I always wanted to
    do 4-H, but we moved
    right about the time
    that I would have
    gotten involved, and
    we didn't have it in
    our new town. Thanks
    for sharing this!!
    xx Suzanne

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  6. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog & wishing me luck friend on my new venture!! :))
    You have 100 flattened & ready to stamp blanks...you rock!! I'm trying to figure out a mass production routine, but so far to no avail...I just kinda hap hazardly do them right now, but someday I get that part down!
    Love this necklace design, it's awesome. The little pic on the back just makes it!
    Have a happy & warm MN day friend & again, thanks for your kind thoughts!
    Smiles,
    Susie

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  7. Gretchen, I do have a etsy store,but I'm not really to good at it. I had my son do it for me.I will be added more to it as I learn how. Thanks for your kind comments . I'm glad you enjoy my blog. Have a fabulous weekend !!!!

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I am so thankful you took the time to let me know what you think about what I write and for taking the time to share your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog. :)

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