Many of my early gothic jewellery purchases were from the Alchemy Gothic range. Although fantastic and gorgeous, their designs are immediately recognisable. Around 2007 I started to construct my own necklaces to produce something unique, but with a similar feel.

There was enough information on the internet back then for me to figure out the basics of jewellery construction. I've didn't learn to forge metals - I would love to do that one day - so anything I made was put together with pliers. My techniques have improved over time, and I've found ways to put together dramatic necklaces which have stood up to everyday wear.

When I started, I decided to use sterling silver findings and components. I wanted quality, I was secure in my first real job, and the GBP to USD exchange rate was really good, so it wasn't as impractical as now. Also, today's alternatives - such as stainless steel - weren't as readily available.

On this page are pictures of some of my older designs. Several of my earliest attempts have been recycled into new pieces when I got bored, but a few remain from when I started in 2007-2008. I used oynx, glass, gemstone, mother-of-pearl or glass pearl beads, Swarovski crystals and sterling silver findings to build necklaces around interesting pendants.

I wore these necklaces very rarely; I don't wear crosses any more, and the style of these isn't really to my taste right now. My newer designs - the necklaces I actually wear frequently - will follow in a future article, and I'll show off anything new I make going forward.