Design

A double strand necklace of hand crocheted hemp fiber, embellished with lampwork art glass, wood beads, and seven crosses that may include metal tones, shell, and natural stone. This piece came to me as pure inspiration. I designed it so that it could be worn as a single necklace (two strands) or to be layered with a second necklace (4 strands). Each is a one of a kind. The necklaces are intended to hang abstractly so that they can be worn single or layered.

Story
Many people have asked me the significance of the seven crosses in this necklace. I am hesitant to dispel my spirituality on others but it’s a question asked frequently enough to deserve an answer. I am inspired by prayer beads and rosaries of cultures other than my own but, it is a sense of wholeness, completion, a life well lived, an effort well executed, a life full of color and hope.

A more detailed explanation of this I found:

“In the Hebrew, 7 is shevah. It is from the root savah, to be full or satisfied, have enough of. Hence the meaning of the word “seven” is dominated by this root, for on the seventh day God rested from the work of Creation. It was full and complete, and good and perfect. Nothing could be added to it or taken from it without marring it. Hence the word Shavath, to cease, desist, rest, and Shabbath, Sabbath, or day of rest.
It is 7, therefore, that stamps with perfection and completeness that in connection with which it is used. Of time, it tells of the Sabbath, and marks off the week of seven days, which, artificial as it may seem to be, is universal and immemorial in its observance amongst all nations and in all times. It tells of that eternal Sabbath-keeping which remains for the people of God in all its everlasting perfection.
In the creative works of God, seven completes the colors of the spectrum and rainbow, and satisfies in music the notes of the scale. In each of these the eighth is only a repetition of the first.“

Materials

• .5 mm hemp cord (NOTE* if hemp is not available you could also use a No. 5 cotton crochet thread)

• 19(5-15 mm assorted) lampwork art glass beads. We used assorted colors, shapes, and sizes of beautiful handmade, lampwork art glass.

• 16 (3 mm) round wood beads

• 8 (8-10 mm) wood bead shapes (we used a flower shape bead but ultimately you want something diverse. I chose the flower shape because of it’s natural organic representation of the Earth

• 7 Cross Pendants (* I chose a diverse range of ornamental metal, natural stone, dyed shell, and crystal embellished pieces)