"Sea Breeze" ... bead embroidered cuff bracelet.

As in older posts, I've photographed the completed bead embroidered top part of the bracelet flat before attaching it to the brass cuff bracelet, for easier viewing.

Click on photos for a larger view.

Here is my first attempt at making a narrow bead embroidered cuff bracelet.  I call this one "Sea Breeze" for the pretty sea-green color of the aventurine cabochon stones. The center cab is somewhat rectangular, and the two on either side are very narrow and also rectangular.  Here's where I learned a lesson (and I learn something with each project, thankfully!) the smaller and narrower the cabochon, the less likely the final row of bezeling with size 15 beads will show up well.  I suppose there just isn't enough room for them to spread out nicely, and they have a tendency to bunch up - live and learn.  The remainder of the beads are gold-toned Japanese glass seed beads and bugle beads. In addition, I have added topaz gold Swarovski cut crystal beads, round and bi-cone, clear-green glass 4 mm. beads, plus 10 glass pearls in the beautiful sea-green color.

Aventurine is a form of quartz characterised by its translucency ~ this is the green aventurine.  The majority of green and blue-green aventurine originates in India.  I think it's a very soothing color, and I was surprised at how well it married with the gold additions.

This braclet was bead embroidered onto Nicole Campanella's NBB bead backing in the Leaf Green color.  For ordering information on this excellent embroidery backing material, please click on this link:

http://www.beadwright.com/

The color combination in this bracelet led me to use an UltraSuede pattern that incorporates the same sea green and gold colors with a charming "peacock feather" pattern.  

"Beyond The Blue" ~ Two Bead Embroidered Pendants

Here are my latest bead embroidered projects ~

Two blue pendants:

As with all of my bead embroidered jewelry, all of the beads are hand-sewn one at a time (if the beads are very tiny size 15, then two at a time), then they are sewn back through again for stability and security.  Not only does this help the beads to line up well, but it keeps them safely secured to the foundation.  

After the question I get almost every time: "How long did it take you to make this?" 
the question I hear lately is:
"Are the beads glued on?"  
No, the beads are all sewn on by hand, with a needle and thread, and no, they are not placed on the foundation already strung.  The art of bead embroidery will appeal to those who (1) love beads, and (2) enjoy sewing.  If that's you, I encourage you to try bead embroidery!   And if jewelry is not your thing, there are examples on the Internet (try: www.Pinterest.com) of bead embroidery done on quilts, purses, clothes, and other household goods.  You are limited only by your imagination.

The round 8 mm. lapis lazuli beads team up with blue glass pearls and 3 mm. sodalite beads, as well as cut glass crystals in sapphire blue, multi-faceted light blue beads (which appear cream-colored in this photo, but are a very light blue color), and various glass seed beads in shades of blue.

 Below is a closer view of the pendant itself.  Click for a larger image.

The toggle closure is made entirely of seed beads for continuity, and to keep the pendant and necklace from being limited to either silver or gold metal findings.

The top cabochon is an agate with blues and creams in a gently swirling pattern, and the bottom cabochon is a deep blue color (although the light is reflecting off of it in this photo).

This bead embroidery was sewn onto Nicole's BeadBacking (NBB) in the Royal Blue color, which was a perfect backdrop for the two focal cabochons.

For more information about this outstanding backing by Nicole Campanella, please visit: 

http://www.beadwright.com

The back of the pendant (not shown) is finished off in a dark blue UltraSuede.

I'm enjoying the process of making these bead embroidered pendants.  They work up quickly, and while the bead selection must be limited, they make nice little gifts.  The one pictured below features a Blue Crazy Lace Agate which is oval, and a smaller round glass stone above it.  These two stones are surrounded by two cut crystals on the side, Japanese glass seed beads bezeling the stones, and in the edging, and crystal bicones.  The back is finished off in a soft blue UltraSuede.

"Jungle Fever" Bead Embroidered Pendant with Bead Necklace.

Leopardskin Jasper, (also called Jaguar Stone), is one of the many different appearances in the stone called Jasper.  My current attraction to Jasper stones stems from its beautiful earthy and natural look ~ all the warm colors found in nature can be seen in the various Jasper stones.  Each one is a work of art all by itself, even before it is embellished with bead embroidery.

This bead embroidered pendant (with necklace) features Leopardskin Jasper 9 mm. round beads, as well as cut black crystals, glass seed beads in black as well as burnt orange, with a seed bead toggle and clasp for continuity.

 The central rectangular cabochon is an agate.  The colors in the focal agate marry well with the colors found in the Leopardskin Jasper beads, each having rusty browns, blacks, burnt oranges, and cream colors.  At the bottom of the focal cabochon agate is a triangular Leopardskin Jasper chip bead.

This pendant was bead embroidered onto Nicole's NBB in the Rich Brown Color.  See the below link to purchase this amazing beading foundation by Nicole Campanella.

http://www.beadwright.com/

Above the agate cabochon, is a black glass square cabochon surrounded by twelve  4 mm. Leopardskin Jasper beads.

The edges of the pendant are enhanced with a picot beading stitch, and the back of the pendant (not shown) is finished off with a soft cheetah print UltraSuede.  Given the pairing of the Leopardskin Jasper and the cheetah print UltraSuede, I named this one "Jungle Fever."

Below is a closer view of the pendant by itself.  Click on any photo to enlarge image.

"Emerald Green Beauty"

"Emerald Green Beauty" is a bead embroidered pendant with attached necklace created with an emerald green oval glass cabochon and a rectangular black glass cabochon situated above it.  Surrounding the two main cabochons are black and green glass beads in various sizes and shapes, including two black faceted crystals on each side.  

Emerald Green just happens to be the Pantone Color of the Year for 2013.

Is green one of your favorite colors?  It's certainly eye-catching.

Black is the perfect foil to set off this rich color.  I've included a few green beads that have a bit of a chartreuse (warm) color to them, as well as some green beads that lean to a blue (cool) shade to give the central cabochon some added interest.  Although both are in the green family ... the slight variation adds an element of depth to the pendant.  Hanging from the bottom of the pendant is a black faceted glass drop with a very long and narrow shape.  The bail is made from seed beads, as is the toggle closure at the end of the black crystal necklace.  When I can, I prefer to make the toggle and loop closure with beads instead of a silver or gold metal closure.  That way, whomever wears the piece is not limited by my color choice.   

As it happens, black is a very hard color to photograph well - at least it is for me.  

Although it cannot be seen in this photo, this bead embroidered pendant was sewn on 

Nicole's BeadBacking in the Leaf Green color - a perfect match, and since the green glass cabochon was translucent, the Leaf Green NBB was an excellent choice that maintained the rich green color.  Each time I work on Nicole's BeadBacking in her various lovely colors, I send up a grateful thanks that I don't have to dye my foundation after I've sewn on all the beads.  Thank you, Nicole!  If you want further information about her great beading foundation, please see the link at the end of this post.

The back of the pendant is finished off with green UltraSuede, sewn to the front of the pendant with black glass seed beads in a picot edging.

Click on photo for larger image.

http://www.beadwright.com/