The Bountiful Birthday Bauble

I've been waiting for weeks to post a picture of this necklace, which is perhaps my favourite piece ever. It was a birthday gift for my dear friend and beading buddy Cinthia, who had a Milestone Birthday yesterday.

What better way to mark a Milestone than a whole lot of stones? (Note to new readers: Vee + bad puns = regular occurrence.) Yes, the necklace is as massive as it looks--a true labour of love for one of the loveliest ladies around. It's made up of roughly 350 (!!!) beads, ranging in size from 3 to 8mm, and in shape from rice to round. I thought it best to keep the earring design simple, and used 12mm oval coin beads and oversized hooks.

Yup. This necklace is definitely my favourite piece.

Happy birthday, C.! Lang zal ze leven! Hiep Hiep Hoera! xoxox