Jocelynn Brown: Handmade

Large beads make a bold statement

'Glamour at a price you can afford" is how jewelry maker Alexis Kerr of Troy describes the bold, unique pieces she creates under the name Shining Diamond Accessories. Her designs are made primarily with beads purchased outside Michigan.

"I try to go to (bead) shows in other regions," Kerr said. "I go to gem shows in the South or on the West Coast so I'll have a mixture of beads and can offer my customer something different from the competition."

She selects semi-precious stones for her creations based on what she feels will accent styles presented at New York Fashion Week. "I usually follow fashion trends and just try to come up with something new and exciting," Kerr said.

Here, she's created a chunky, white turquoise necklace for customers wanting to "make a bold statement in a classy way." She likes the "rarity" of white turquoise, "the way it fits in with other stones" and that "it's always in season."

You can find her jewelry at Salon Deanna International inside the Ford Building in downtown Detroit, and at her online shop, www.shopshiningdiamond.com. Prices range from $35-$225.

Turquoise paradise necklace

Level: Intermediate

Estimated time: 30 minutes

Tools: Flush cutter, needle-nose pliers, chain-nose pliers, wire cutters, bowl, bead board

Supplies: 925 sterling silver closure clasps (3 strand, .015 diameter), stainless steel cable wire. Stones needed: 18 yellow turquoise (6mm round), eight white turquoise (20-25mm), two blue oval turquoise (23mm by 18mm), one large blue/green center turquoise (40mm by 45mm), six natural turquoise (18mm by 18mm by 5mm)

Instructions

1. Place beads in bowl. Arrange beads on board in pattern emphasizing largest stone.

2. Cut 50 inches of wire.

3. Slide a closure onto wire. Fold cord over to double.

4. Using needle-nose pliers, grasp closure and twist wire around five times to secure.

5. Take first rectangular (18 by 18 by 5mm) natural turquoise stone from board and slide onto cord next to closure. Add 6mm round yellow turquoise stone next to natural turquoise stone.

6. Add another natural turquoise stone and two yellow turquoise stones.

7. String the first white turquoise stone, sliding it on next to yellow turquoise stone.

8. Slide on one more round yellow turquoise stone and another white turquoise stone.

9. Now slide on a blue oval turquoise stone.

10. Add two more yellow turquoise stones. Make sure stones are snug against each other.

11. Add another white turquoise stone for this side.

12. Add two more yellow turquoise stones and the rectangular natural turquoise stone.

13. Slide on an additional yellow turquoise stone and then the last white turquoise stone.

14. Slide large center turquoise stone next to white turquoise stone.

15. Add the next white turquoise stone and repeat steps 5-13 in opposite order, creating a mirror-like image of the other side.

16. Before adding second closure, make sure stones are secure, then add hook clasp using chain-nose pliers and twist wire around five times. Cut off excess wire.

Contact: Shining Diamond Accessories at (248) 841-8359 or www.shopshiningdiamond.com