Thursday, July 18, 2013

"Heat Wave" ~ Cinnabar Red and Gold Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

                                 

"Heat Wave"

 Cinnabar Red and Gold Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

 (click image to enlarge photos)

This bead embroidered bracelet is somewhat asymmetrical, although the design is balanced on both "sides" of the central gold leaf.  All of the red beads are RED - but as with most colors, there is a combination of the warm reds and the cool reds for added interest and texture.  The same can be said for the golds beads, which vary in shade, shape, matte, and shiny exterior.  Crystals and two uniquely shaped  AB faceted glass focal beads reflect light onto the bracelet.

The above photo (click to enlarge picture) shows the bead embroidered bracelet after the top stitching has been finished, but before the embroidered beadwork is attached to the inner brass cuff, and finally finished off with the inside UltraSuede and beaded edging.


The above photo (click to enlarge picture) shows the top center of the bead embroidered cuff bracelet which features a gold leaf enhanced by glass seed beads for "veins."  Along with the various shaped seed beads in red and gold, this bracelet has bamboo coral beads, crystals, pearls, and two AB glass focal beads on the sides.


This image shows the soft interior UltraSuede fabric, which is in a suble pattern like tooled leather, in a light gold color.  This a side view of the bracelet showing the various shapes, sizes, and colors of the beads embroidered. 

 A final photo of the cuff ends plus the picot edging, as well as four gold buttons can be seen here.  


* My right hand is still in a cast, so this bead embroidered cuff bracelet was made entirely with my non-dominant left hand.






Wednesday, July 10, 2013

"Deep Sea Diving" ~ Sea Sediment Jasper with Aqua and Bronze Bead Embroidered Bracelet


"Deep Sea Diving"  

Free-form Bead Embroidered Bracelet

Click photo for larger image.

Pictured above is a bead embroidered bracelet with five focal sea sediment jasper gemstones surrounded by various aqua and earth-colored stones.  The piece also includes aventurine stones, glass beads, pearls, crystals, and sea glass along with a few brass metallic beads.  The closure beads are faux ammonites which hold the bracelet closed through tortoiseshell-colored beaded loops. 

Because of the organic size of the jasper stones, the bracelet itself is purposely asymmetrical.  The colorations of aquas (sea) and earthtones (sand) give a coastal feeling to this bracelet.  On the underside of the bracelet (not shown) is a soft aqua shade of UltraSuede with a faint "tooled leather" design.  The sewn edges are covered with hand-dyed silk ribbon in a matching aqua color.

*This bead embroidered bracelet was entirely made using only my left (non-dominant) hand due to a right hand accident involving broken glass. 


"Remember Me" ~ Lavender and Pearl Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

"Remember Me" 







click photos for larger image

Lavender and Pearl Bead Embroidered Cuff  Bracelet


This bead embroidered cuff bracelet was a learning experience in how to bezel a thick cabochon, in this case, a purple agate gemstone placed in the center.  I learned a lot from this project, and I also discovered that using bugle beads adds a nice touch of texture.  This cuff includes pearls, glass stones and beads, bugle beads, crystals, and highly-reflective AB oval beads, as well as an assortment of "leftover" beads from earlier projects. Inside, a brass cuff keeps the shape, and it is lined with a light tan UltraSuede fabric for softness.