This lovely necklace was created for the Etsy Beadweavers Team Challenge "Fashion Throughout The Ages" for March 2011. The challenge was to create a piece for a specific fashion era. I chose the last half of the Victorian era when black was the fashionable choice in women's attire. In 1861 Queen Victoria's beloved husband Prince Albert died and she went into a deep mourning. Traditionally black is worn during the period of mourning. While the mourning period usually lasts 2 - 3 years, Queen Victoria mourned for the last 40 years of her life. Many in England followed her lead.

This beadwoven necklace is made with the traditional colors worn toward the end of the mourning period - black, grey, and purple. The focal piece is a purple tile with a swarovski crystal accented beadwoven bezel backed with grey ultrasuede measuring 1 3/4" from top to bottom. It is suspended from a freeform peyote strap. The necklace measures 20" when fastened by its beadwoven toggle clasp.

Please visit www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com between March 9th and 15th to vote for your favorite entry. There will be many spectacular pieces to choose from!

Have any questions? Contact the shop owner.