Sara Eileen uses this very cool stuff called SilverSill mesh tubing over some of hir strands and it's SO cool.
 
These are glass matte mermaid beads with gold-toned base metal alloy hardware, and a fine mesh of SilverSill over top.  The cabochon is a light blue druzy surrounded by gold and black crystals.  The look is elegant, and exocit, and it comes in around 20".
 
Lead/nickel free.