Most Versatile Lanyard Ever

Are you looking for a cool and pretty way to keep up with your eyeglasses and/or ID-Badge? Well, I know I have looked long and hard for just the right lanyard in the past. And that is why I started making eyeglass chains and lanyards. I sell these designs in one of my three Etsy shops: EyeglassChainsEtc.etsy.com.

Today I thought I would share one of my more popular designs. I make this lanyard in both silver and gold.

I use a pretty large link etched chain in bright rhodium plated silver and a soft matte gold. I place three matching large round links in the chain for visual interest and to function as eyeglass loops.

I added a detachable swivel clasp for use as an ID-Badge holder.  To use it as an eyeglass necklace, simply hang your glasses through one of the three large rings.  Of course, it also makes a very pretty long necklace if you don't need to use it for your glasses or ID-Badge.

Here are some examples of different ways to wear this pretty chain:

You can find this chain in my Etsy shop EyeglassChainsEtc.etsy.com.

I have listings there for both the Silver Lanyard and the Gold Lanyard.

Thanks for stopping by!  Till next time ...

Irene

Rose Gold Eyeglass Lanyard

I'm expanding my line of eyeglass chains to include rose gold. Up till now I have offered my chains in bright silver, antique silver, antique gold, antique brass and gunmetal.  I also have leather eyeglass leashes as well.

But the hottest trend of late in the world of jewelry has been rose gold, so I thought I must add this to my inventory. I used a mixed metal design with a bright silver loop and swivel clasp.  I like it because it is simple, functional, versatile and beautiful - all at the same time!

Rose Gold and Silver Eyeglass Lanyard/ID-Badge Holder

Round loop detaches easily from the swivel clasp

The chain is a medium weight rose gold box rollo style. I used a bright silver swivel clasp and a round hammered silver loop on the end.  The detachable loop can be used to hold your eyeglasses with.  If you need to use it as an ID-Badge holder, simply detach the loop and use the swivel clasp to hang your ID-Badge onto.

Find this lanyard and more eyeglass and ID-Badge holders in my Etsy shop: EyeglassChainsEtc.etsy.com!

As always, thanks for visiting!
Irene

Eyeglass Chains Etc. - My Newest Etsy Shop

I haven't posted in a couple of weeks as I have been working on setting up my second Etsy shop Eyeglass Chains Etc.  I hope you will check it out!

I have also created a Facebook Page for this shop which I would absolutely love for you to follow and Like!

You might recall my last post here showed some new eyeglass chain designs.  My eyeglass chains and leashes have become some of my most popular designs on my first Etsy shop DJAjewels, so I decided to create a separate shop just for eyeglass accessories.

I have moved most of my designs to the new shop and have added a couple of new ones as well.  I plan to offer more types of eyeglass accessories soon including eyeglass brooches and possibly some embellished eyeglass cases.  So much to do and so little time, but I am super excited about this new project!

As with most of my chains, I offer them in three style options:

• Necklace with Loop
• Leash Style
• ID-Badge Lanyard.

Also, if you are interested in making your own eyeglass necklace, I have posted a tutorial in the past which you can read about here.

Here are my two newest designs using Swarovski crystals and crystal pearls.  One is in antique gold, the other in antique and bright silver.

Swarovski Crystal Pearl Eyeglass Chain/Lanyard - Antique Gold:

Necklace With Loop

Leash Style

ID-Badge Lanyard

Swarovski Crystal Chain - Bright and Antique Silver:

Necklace With Loop

Leash Style - Bright Silver or Gunmetal Ball Ends

ID-Badge Lanyard

Thanks so much for visiting!

Custom Designed Eyeglass Chains

This week I made two custom design eyeglass necklaces for one of my customers.  She wanted something vintage/Victorian style for both pieces.  I love to custom design jewelry for others - the process is very interactive.  This customer lives far away and found my shop on Etsy, so I have never actually met her and all communication was through e-mail

As she told me the kinds of things she liked, I would e-mail pics of specific beads and components which she would then tell me which ones she really liked.  The whole process was quite interactive as the design evolved from sets of loose beads and components to the finished designs.

She specifically wanted to be able to wear both designs with other gold and silver jewelry pieces.  Other requests were for pink and white, cloisonne and heart components.  Here are some pics as these pieces were constructed.

My customer likes pink and white - so I started with this selection for her to view

She also likes cloisonne - so another set for her to choose from

Selection of silver beads to consider

"Rough draft" layout of potential design

Finished design with antiqued silver, cloisonne, pink glass beads and garnets

Initial finished design of second necklace with antiqued silver eyeglass loop

Finished design of second necklace - changed to antiqued brass larger loop to accommodate her extra wide sunglasses  (Gunmetal chain, cloisonne and Czech glass garnet beads, and Swarovski crystal pearls)

Beaded Eyeglass Chain Tutorial - Jewelry That Has Purpose

This weekend I made something for myself - a beaded eyeglass chain.  As I was making it, I decided to take some photos and post a tutorial on it.  Beaded eyeglass chains can be more than just something to hang your glasses from - they can be beautiful pieces of jewelry!

For my project I wanted a vintage style design, so I used black gunmetal chain, jet black Czech glass beads, and a Victorian style antiqued silver drop as my eyeglass loop.

Materials:

• Chain - I used black gunmetal rollo style with 3mm links
• Czech glass beads in jet black - two 10mm and four 6mm size for this design
• Gunmetal wire for wire wrapping - I used 20 gauge
• Antiqued silver Victorian style drop
• Two antiqued silver jump rings

Tools:

• Round nose and needle nose pliers
• Wire cutters
• Emory board or fine sandpaper

Steps:

1.  I selected a Victorian style antiqued silver drop for my eyeglass loop, but it was longer than what I wanted for my design.  Remember it is always okay to customize a component to suit your tastes or the needs of a particular project.  To modify this piece, snip off the top using your wire cutters.  Use a nail file or sandpaper to smooth any rough edges after cutting.  This piece is sold by Vintage Jewelry Supplies - one of my favorite on-line jewelry supply sources.

Original and Modified Component

2.  Now decide how long you want your finished eyeglass chain - I decided on a 29 inch length which will slip easily over my head so no clasp is needed.  Then cut your sections of chain.  I used six 2-inch pieces of chain and one longer 12-inch piece for the middle part which will drape around the back of the neckline.

3.  Cut six pieces of wire into 2 1/2 inch lengths.  Now you are ready to wire-wrap your beaded links.  I like to wire-wrap my links directly to the chain for added security - but you can also use jump rings to attach them.  To bead the links directly into the chain, make a simple loop, then before wire-wrapping it, slide one end of a piece of chain onto the loop.  Then wire-wrap the loop, add your bead, then repeat for the other end, making sure you attach the next piece of chain to the loop before wire-wrapping.

4.  Continue making wire-wrapped links and connecting all pieces of chain.  For this pattern, you will end up with a long piece of beaded chain ready to connect to your eyeglass loop.

5.  Now connect the two loose ends to your eyeglass loop using jump rings.

Here is the finished design ready to wear:

This project can be modified and adapted into many different designs and patterns - just use your imagination!

Be sure to visit my Etsy shop to see more beaded eyeglass chains:

DJAjewels.etsy.com