I really enjoy a challenge especially when it involves custom jewelry. I like the challenge of finding materials and constructing designs my customers think up. One such challenge was presented to me recently by my client Toby Blyth of Sydney,Australia. Toby is one of my repeat customers. I appreciate all my customers, but my repeat customers make me feel extra special. So when Toby emailed, of course he had to be given priority. His first purchase was my onyx skull bracelet with crystal accents. [caption id="attachment_300" align="alignnone" width="300"] Black onyx beads, skull and crystal accents make this one BAD bracelet[/caption] Then he purchased a series of other bracelets. His custom jewelry request resulted in bracelets four and five. Toby's custom request was simple. He sent a picture of something he liked and asked if I could come up with something similar but not the same. Of course, I said yes! What custom jewelry designer would say no? He wanted metal skulls and roses. He sent me a picture of this design...his inspiration piece. [caption id="attachment_302" align="alignnone" width="300"] Inspiration piece for Toby's custom jewelry request[/caption] I found the roses in brass at my local supplier. I already had a supply of silver skulls. I sent him a general sample just to give him an idea. It was what he wanted.   [caption id="attachment_307" align="alignnone" width="300"] My rough custom design idea for Toby's custom jewelry request[/caption] The trick was going to be in attaching the roses and the skills. I needed something strong that would not result in the skulls flopping all over the place and the roses dangling haphazardly. The roses weren't beads with drilled holes which presented a challenge. The solution...LEATHER CORD. I used the leather cord to attach the pieces together and to attach the lobster clasp and jump rings for closure. It also added texture and an extra touch of masculinity. The result was one badass piece of custom jewelry...a badass skull bracelet.   [caption id="attachment_292" align="alignnone" width="300"] Skull bracelet custom jewelry design[/caption] [caption id="attachment_291" align="alignnone" width="300"] Skull bracelet custom jewelry design[/caption] Toby's second request was a all black bracelet with skull and roses. All black roses with one single skull. I went to my supplier and of course they had what I needed.  I sent pics to Toby and the supplies I found were on point with what he had in mind. [caption id="attachment_306" align="alignnone" width="300"] Black roses for Toby's second custom jewelry request[/caption] [caption id="attachment_303" align="alignnone" width="225"] Black skulls for Toby's second custom jewelry request[/caption] The bracelet was much easier to construct. It was on stretch. But it still came out to be one cool as bracelet.   [caption id="attachment_297" align="alignnone" width="300"] Skull and roses bracelet -Toby's second custom jewelry request[/caption] [caption id="attachment_298" align="alignnone" width="300"] Skull and roses bracelet -Toby's second custom jewelry request[/caption] Shout out to my custom jewelry client Toby Blyth of Sydney Australia for challenging me with two awesome custom jewelry projects.' I can't wait for him to receive them. [gallery ids="299,294"] What do you think of these designs?