Paper Crane Necklace

For those of you who are familiar with me and my quirks, you probably already know about the cranes.

1,000 to be exact.

In elementary school I read Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr.  For the demonstration portion of the report, I learned how to fold a paper crane and taught the class too.

Desert Storm was going on at the time so I was asked to attend other classrooms to teach folding.

A tree went up in the lobby and cranes were added one by one.  We wrote soldiers names on the wings.

It was beautiful.  I was too young to remember.

My family reminded me on my wedding day, September 18, 2004.

My mother and sister folded paper cranes out of extraordinary paper and added strings and beads.

They were at every place setting as a beautiful favor.  It was beautiful.  I remember.

In 2006-2007 during a difficult time, I began folding cranes.

An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane.

On March 1, 2007 I took a picture of myself with 1,012 cranes.

It was a spiritual and emotional journey to fold 1,012 cranes and then give them away.

It seems fitting for my first featured necklace to be the one I call "Paper" Crane.

“Paper” Crane Necklace

In Asian tradition, cranes stand for peace and long life.

I started this necklace with a vintage white enamel crane pendant.  
I dissected a large pair of graphite and silver teardrop shaped earrings.  
I framed the crane inside graphite colored teardrop and added two delicate pearl beads.
I completed the pendant by adding a antique silver raindrop charm.  

The pendant hangs on a 16" antique silver feminine chain 
with a traditional lobster clasp closure in back

A petite handmade paper crane, one of 1,012, is included with this necklace.