For these projects I bought 2000 resistors on eBay for $30, of mixed values, 1000 half watt and 1000 quarter watt. Definitely not a major material cost, at under $1 per necklace. Getting them at Radio Shack is much more expensive (are there any Radio Shacks anymore?). The metal oxide versions...
And now for something completely different....
Making that malachite strand gave me the idea -- why not use actual resistors? They are a natural for wire link.
And here is the second one, a mixture of the same 3 sizes but with a different pattern because I used what was left over from the other one:
Neck shots to come later; my husband doesn't approve of taking them with the shirt I have on now.
Pattye: oh wow! They are lovely, but. The nice thing is that 2 strands can always be connected together if desired. I wish I could get a really good photograph that would do the luster justice.
I think that the eBay authenticity guarantee will just guarantee that they are pearls, not imitation. Cultured freshwater pearls will be considered authentic.
I'm starting on the second one... The first one is just short of 25". I like it long enough that I can look at it without a mirror! I'm also saving a few pearls out for earrings.
Here they are: done! It took extra time, first because I work very slowly, and second because I found a major mistake halfway, and had to cut everything apart and start over.
I got a 5-5.5, 5.5-6, and 6-6.5. I am going to string them in a small-medium-small-large pattern, at least for this necklace. I will hopefully get some better pictures, too! My phone camera seems to have some problems with macro mode.