I don’t usually write a whole lot about the people I feature on Saturdays…it’s kind of my day off, however I can’t help but introduce you personally to my friend Darlene; the artistic genius behind Bijouxbead.  Each of her gorgeous pieces involve stringing meters and meters of wee beads and semi precious stones, always with unflagging attention to colour, pattern and texture.  Every time I speak to Darlene it seems she’s working on a new piece for a charity event, and recently, she and her work been spotting on the red carpet of some verrrrry high profile events, and around the necks of some verrrrrry high profile people!  (If you’d like to geek out with me over this, check out the “People Wearing Bijouxbead” section of her website). 

1. Jet Set, One of a kind glass necklace:  This eight stranded one of a kind necklace features jet black and bronze Czech glass. It is surrounded with bronze iris Japanese glass, and finished with a square hammered copper clasp.  I chose to call this piece “Jet Set” because of this piece’s subtle sophistication. I feel this piece could easily be worn at the office with a business suit or with a cocktail dress for a special night out.
2. Beaches Jazz Festival, lampwork necklace:  This one of a kind eight stranded necklace features Indian red, turquoise and copper coloured lampwork, surrounded by Czech and Japanese glass, finished with a square hammered toggle clasp.  I chose to name this piece “Beaches Jazz Festival” in honour of this annual sultry summer event just south of where I live in Toronto Canada.
3. The Artist’s Brush Lampwork Necklace:  This eight stranded one of a kind necklace features translucent blue lampwork that has been “brushed” with opaque blue glass. It is surrounded with Czech glass and finished with a sterling sliver hook clasp.  I chose to call this piece “The Artist’s Brush” because the lampwork reminds me of an artist’s palette.
4. Summer Kiss Semi Precious Necklace:  This four stranded one of a kind necklace features Crab Fire Agate, combined with Japanese and Czech glass in bronze. The piece is finished with copper beads and a square hammered copper toggle clasp.  I chose to name this piece Summer Kiss because the colour combination was so warm; I imagined it being worn on tanned bare skin, possibly with a white summer dress. I watched an amazing sunset at the cottage this summer, and I made this necklace shortly thereafter.