Pirate accessories?

[sapphireandsage]

Thanks for all the fantastic input!  It is very, very appreciated!  I'm working on gathering some supplies now and hope to be able to post pics for feedback soon.

[sapphireandsage]

OK, it has been a while in the making, but I've got the beginnings of a coin necklace ready for feedback:

http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace.jpg
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace2.jpg
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace-long.jpg

The chain is a nice plated aluminum, so it isn't too heavy for all-day wear.  The beads and coins add a nice amount of weight, but it is still pretty comfortable and not too front-heavy.  I can get a heavier chain, but I had this chain on-hand already, and it looks pretty spiffy, even without the heaviness of a brass-base chain.

The coins used are from different countries and time periods, but none seemed to be completely off-base to me.  The middle link should show a good close-up of the coins - let me know what you think!

The coin-only version was lacking color (for my taste, anyway!), so I added some glass teardrops (could have been "borrowed" from an Italian merchant ship leaving Venice, right?) and some Chinese faux cinnabar beads.  I'm not sure how well-received the colored beads will be by you pirate folk, so I'd love to hear your opinions on the piece, both with and without them. 

Does it need anything else to make it more appealing to your own persona, or would you prefer something that has the heavy chain and coins only?

[tigrlily64]

Personally, I don't like those particular colored beads.  I'm not opposed to colered beads in general, but the red and blue is a little too Fourth of July for a pirate, to me.

[sapphireandsage]

That did occur to me, but tjhe emerald beads I had would have looked too Christmas-y.  I thought of adding some green in a different shape so that 3 colors were represented, but hadn't gotten around to it yet.  Would that work better, do you think?  How about gold-tone and/or silver-tone (maybe copper, as well?) larger patterened beads instead of multi-colored ones?

[FortuneRose]

Would it be too crazy/difficult to offer the option when purchasing to customize the colored beads to the buyers choice?  That way if they really wanted a certain color or set of colors, it could be incorporated in for them

[sapphireandsage]

I would definitely offer the choice of colors for the teardrop glass beads.  The cinnabar only comes in red, though.  I may make up one that has the metalized beads only, no colored ones, just to show as an alternate example.  My website's catalog offerings give lots of options for colors whenever the materials are available, so this piece wouldn't be any different in that respect.  I love giving my clients lots of options so that they can customize their orders, making their pieces more unique and to their own personal tastes.  Plus, I'm not always making the same pieces in the same colors day in and day out, which makes it fun for me, too!

[Dinobabe]

The blue is a great color!  I think it's the red that is off.  It's a little too bright.  Maybe something a bit rusty or wine colored?  Other than that it looks great!

[sapphireandsage]

Good point!  Maybe that's what was throwing me off about them, too.  Maybe I'll use a brown/black paint to antique them...dirty 'em up a bit!  Not only will it add the appearance of a little age and wear to them, but it will also emphasize the beautiful carvings that are on the beads.  The whole piece was lacking some detail that I haven't been able to put my finger on, but this just might be the key to achieving the look I'm after.

[LadyShadow]

I have to agree. The red is a bit too bright.

[sealion]

Good point!  Maybe that's what was throwing me off about them, too.  Maybe I'll use a brown/black paint to antique them...dirty 'em up a bit!  Not only will it add the appearance of a little age and wear to them, but it will also emphasize the beautiful carvings that are on the beads.  The whole piece was lacking some detail that I haven't been able to put my finger on, but this just might be the key to achieving the look I'm after.

Ah yes! I think dirtying it up and aging it, making it a little less shiny in general, might do the trick!

[sapphireandsage]

Chinese carved beads are now darkened and "aged", and I've added some emerald greean glass beads and a few pearls disc beads:

http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace.jpg   (updated necklace)
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace2.jpg   (updated close-up)
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace-long.jpg   (original piece, for comparison)

Whadda ya think?

[Dinobabe]

BIG difference!  Especially when I clicked on the last pic (original color)!

[tigrlily64]

I like it much better this time around - great job!

[Greenman66669]

I may be shopping with you soon, as my wife (Blue) is a jewelry fiend. Can't keep her away from it!!!

[LadyShadow]

Looks great.