Hey everyone, today was all about getting my hands dirty making something inspired by Freya – those cat necklaces everyone keeps asking about! I figured, hey, why not try crafting one myself and see what it’s really about?
First Things First – The Idea Hit Me
Honestly, I saw a cool picture online of Freya with her cats, and it just stuck. Those necklaces linked to her cats pulling her chariot? Yeah, seemed like a fun project. Didn’t want some cheap store-bought thing, wanted to make it feel connected, you know? So I decided to try making one myself, focusing on cats and maybe her famous necklace vibe.
Hunting for Stuff (On a Budget!)
Alright, time to gather the bits and bobs. Freya loves gold, amber, that kinda fancy stuff, right? But hey, I ain’t rolling in gold! Scoured my local craft store and dug through my own messy box of craft supplies:
- Pendants: Found a bronze-ish cat pendant online – good enough! Looked kinda majestic, like a chariot-puller. Also grabbed a tiny hammered circle pendant thinking it could kinda, sorta hint at her Brisingamen necklace. Wishful thinking, maybe!
- Beads: Went for earthy tones mostly. Found these little amber-colored glass beads (close enough!), some dark brown wood beads thinking “forest vibes”, and a few green ones for… well, just because they looked nice near the amber.
- String: Opted for a simple brown leather cord. It felt sturdy, kinda rustic, and wouldn’t scream “plastic”.
- Extras: My trusty needle-nose pliers, sharp scissors, and super glue (just in case!).
The Putting-Together Puzzle (A.K.A. Trial and Error)
Sitting at my kitchen table, beads scattered everywhere, cat walking over the leather cord – classic scene. Here’s how it went down:
Laying it out: First, I tried just placing the beads next to the cat pendant on the table. I started with the amber beads, then wood, then green, thinking about a flow. Moved them around like puzzle pieces for ages. Took some pictures with my phone to remember the order I kinda liked.
Attaching the Main Player: This was fiddly! The cat pendant had a little loop on top. Threaded the leather cord through it. Used the pliers to squeeze the jump ring shut tightly – didn’t want the cat jumping off halfway through!
Beading Time: Tried putting all the beads directly onto the main cord. Annoying! String kept bending. So, remembered I had small metal rings. Threaded beads onto separate short pieces of cord, made little dangles with the amber, wood, and the little “Brisingamen” circle pendant, then used jump rings to attach those dangles next to the cat pendant on the main cord. Much easier to handle!
Securing the Knot: Almost done! Pulled both ends of the leather cord together behind my neck to test the length – adjusted where I tied the knot accordingly. Made a simple overhand knot. Dabbed a teeny, tiny bit of super glue on the knot (carefully!) to make sure it wouldn’t slip. Let it dry completely. Trimmed the excess cord ends.
Finished Piece & Thoughts
Held it up. Honestly? Felt pretty chuffed! The bronze cat looks cool as the centerpiece. The amber beads catch the light nicely, the wood adds warmth. That little hammered circle dangling? It actually works, subtly hinting at her treasure without being obvious.
Wearing it now while I type this. Feels solid. It’s not museum-quality, for sure. But I made it thinking about Freya, her strength, her love, those powerful cats. There’s something satisfying in holding a symbol you built yourself, linking the idea to something physical. Makes the connection feel more personal, less like just reading about it. Happy crafting!
