"Night and Day" ~ Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

My latest bead embroidered cuff bracelet presented a challenge.  Could I make something interesting out of only black and white beads without any color to sing out?  Color is the driving force behind all of my jewelry creations, so this limitation was new for me.   I'm calling this bracelet:

"Night and Day" 

click on any photo to enlarge view 

Although I like the combination of black and white, I prefer the more "vintage" appearance of ivory/cream/ecru shade of white instead of a stark, bright white. This project's goal was a more modern look.  I think the bracelet turned out very contemporary.

Below is the finished bead embroidered top piece - photographed flat so that it shows up better:

After the bead embroidered top piece is cut away from the bead backing (Black NBB by Nicole Campanella ~ the BEST backing on the market!), then this top is attached with glue to the brass cuff bracelet blank.

This is the top view of the cuff.  The beads are many varieties, sizes, shapes, and finishes of glass beads.  Although it may be difficult to see in the above photo (black is difficult for me to photograph), there are a total of four black Lucite flowers - each has a white beaded "stamen" in the middle.

This side view shows one of the two large, oval, striped beads.  The design of these two beads contributes to the modern look of the bracelet.

Finally, an end view of the cuff showing the inside black UltraSuede that finishes off the cuff with a soft fabric against the skin, as well as encases the inner brass cuff bracelet.  Around the edges I have sewn a picot edging, which is subtle so as not to take anything away from the focal beads.

* For more information on the BEST bead backing on the market, please visit:

www.Beadwright.com

"IVORY COAST"

"Ivory Coast"

Everything I create gets a name, whether it's an original painting or a beaded bracelet.

This bead embroidered cuff bracelet I have named "Ivory Coast." 

The pearls and beads remind me of the color of shells I've found on the beach. 



* click on photos for larger image

Above is the bead embroidered work before it is attached to the brass inner cuff, and before it is finished off with the inside UltraSuede lining.  These bead embroidered bracelets are easier to see flat first, before they are shown circling a cuff bracelet.

This photo shows the finished cuff bracelet.  The center focal piece is a carved ivory rose cabochon that I encircled with jasper gemstones, glass seed beads, and glass pearls.  On the four "corners" are Lucite tulip flowers with pearl stamens. By each flower is a carved acrylic leaf.  The outer edging on the bracelet is finished with a lacey picot edge.

Besides the ivory rose and jasper beads, this bracelet also includes fresh water pearls, AB crystals, and assorted cream/ivory/ecru beads of various sizes and shapes.  I purposely chose only off-white beads, so no white beads are in the mix.  I think it turned out more elegant with only the cream-colored beads.  The foundation fabric onto which I beaded is a lovely warm tan shade, and the inside of the cuff is covered with ivory-colored UltraSuede in a faux tooled pattern.  The brass inner cuff is sandwiched between the top bead embroidered work and the UltraSuede to give the bracelet form and strength. The bead backing or foundation that I used is by Nicole Campanella (*see last paragraph) and the beautiful tan color is called "Hawk Wing."

I wanted this bracelet to have an old-fashioned vintage jewelry feel to it.  This was my favorite bead embroidered cuff bracelet to work on ... but then, I seem to think that with each one as I'm designing and working on them.  I'm actually a little sad when the bracelet is finally finished, but immediately I'm eager to start a new one.

*For those of you who are already enjoying your own bead embroidery projects, I must share my recent discovery for an exceptional bead backing (the foundation upon which the beads are sewn.)  It's called:  Nicole's BeadBacking (NBB).  This proprietary/copyrighted material is a most excellent surface for not only beadwork, but other sewing applications, and is fast becoming the go-to backing for bead embroidery artists - I know I am a forever fan. 

If you are interested in more information, please visit her Web site at:

www.NicoleCampanella.com or www.beadwright.etsy.com









*The White Album*

The White Album

Color, of course, is intoxicating. But white is intriguing. Every tint, shade, tone and degree of the "color" white captures my attention and imagination. White equates peace and serenity to me, so what better way to celebrate white than a white album.

*The White Album* is my biggest and fattest altered art book yet.

44 pages of photos, fabrics, chunky items like buttons, lace, ribbons, and my usual beloved vintage ephemera.
The old photos in the book are part of my collection of vintage photos.

The new/contemporary photos of white things are photos I took myself specifically for this book. Their inclusion add a small touch of modern to the otherwise antique look of the book.

ABOVE PHOTO:  Left side: back cover of book. Right side: front cover of book.

Below are the pages in "The White Album"

click on any photo to enlarge it for better viewing

Black and White (and Sepia) Altered Art Book

"Black and White (and Sepia)"

Altered Art Book

by Lynn Lindley

This altered art book began as featuring only

Black and White.

Before I could finish even one page of the book,

I realized that Black and White

would be too restrictive for me,

and it lacked the warmth that I always gravitate to ...

so I allowed Sepia tones to join in the creation ~

and it became a wonderful project

with lots of special and meaningful pages in black, white, and sepia.

The majority of the pages feature vintage

family photos of a personal nature,

so I'm including here just a couple

of the more generalized pages.

Below is the open book spread out so that on the left side

you can see the back cover,

and on the right side you see the front cover.

The front cover was the most FUN to create.

These are slide mounts each with photos,

vintage and new,

or small pieces of ephemera inside,

and other little images that appeal to me.

(Click on any of the photos for a closer look.)