"Meadow Stream" ~ Shibori Silk Ribbon Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

Here is a look at my latest project, and a few step-by-step photos in the creation of

"Meadow Stream"  ~  Shibori Silk Ribbon Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet.

This started as a beautiful piece of Shibori Silk Ribbon dyed by Deborah Weaver of ArtisticWeavers on Etsy.com.  You can see this piece in the bottom left hand corner of the photo below.  In my opinion, Deborah Weaver sells the most attractive Shibori Silk Ribbon on Etsy.  If you are in the market for it, please look for her offerings.  You'll have a difficult time choosing from her wide array of stunning ribbons.  In this particular piece of ribbon, the lovely forest greens blended into rich olive greens and then into gorgeous aquas.  I had lots of beads from which to choose for this particular project.

Below is a photo of my possible choices laid out before the creative juices begin to flow. 

My favorite beading foundation, NBB by Nicole Campanella, in the Chartreuse Shine color was the perfect background for the ribbon and the beads.

Above, I have tacked down the Shibori Silk Ribbon with clothespins.  The edges are all tucked under, and I've imagined the pleats as water flowing in a slow-moving stream.  Perhaps one in a quiet meadow.

I must say that Shibori Silk Ribbon is so very lovely, it's hard to cover up any part of it with beads.  But, the show must go on ...

I've used silver beads to highlight the various green beads.  The central focal cabochon is a Jasper stone that I have bezeled separately on NBB, then attached to the ribbon.  Also included are:   round Jasper beads, glass pearls, AB glass round beads, faceted crystal beads, square glass dichroic beads, turquoise Picasa beads, and faceted Czech beads.  The arrangement of the beads was somewhat random, but also in keeping with the "flow" of the imagined stream.

The finished beaded top is wrapped around a brass cuff, glued down, left to dry, and then the inside of the brass cuff is covered by an olive green UltraSuede.  The two edges are sewn together with beads, sandwiching the brass cuff inside.

Another view of the finished bracelet.

This view of the bracelet shows the picot edging with silver beads, 

and the interior olive UltraSuede that is finished off with a line of olive and silver beads, which effectively covers the stitching.

NOTE:   The owner of "Meadow Stream" took this photo for me.  The colors appear slightly different in this photograph compared to the photos that I took of the bracelet ~ but so much depends on the lighting when it comes to photography.  I've included this photo because it looks closer to the actual bracelet itself, whereas my photos of the bracelet are a bit on the bright side.  

"The Golden Bee"

~ Bead Embroidered Pendant with Necklace ~

"The Golden Bee" was created to showcase a beautiful rectangular pendant gemstone of pink dyed Jasper and an assortment of similar Jasper organic-shaped stones drilled for stringing into a necklace.

The Jasper stone was attached to a white foundation by Nicole Campanella called NBB.  This was before I knew she carried a hot pink NBB in the Tropical Berry color that might have been just perfect.  But with the white foundation, I merely used some liquid fabric dye to get the white NBB the color pink that I wanted.  Now I have the Tropical Berry color in my stash, ready for the next hot pink project.

Above is a closer view of the pendant.  I've included smaller pink-dyed Jasper stones in two different variations, plus a pink-dyed pearl, marbled glass beads, a hot pink cut crystal, bugle beads, Japanese  glass seed beads in a chocolate brown, gold, hot pink, pearl, topaz, and luster. 

The triangular gold piece in the 4 o'clock position is a gold button from my grandmother's collection - it truly resembles a gold nugget. Buttons from the `30's and `40's were so well made and very unique. 

Dangling at the bottom of the pendant I have added hot pink crystal bicones, bubblegum pink cracked glass round beads, and cut crystal AB drops in hot pink.  The little gold bee charm, after which the necklace is named, hangs from the bottom as well - it is anatomically correct on both the front and back.

The necklace part consists of strung pink-dyed and drilled Jasper stones with one glass seed bead in hot pink between each stone so they will drape well.  A gold chain with an AB pink crystal finishes off the necklace so that it can be worn at various lengths.

I seem to be drawn to Jasper ~ the different colors and looks always intrigue me. 

click on any photo to enlarge image





"Coming Attraction"

Going to see a special movie, 

I remember sitting in the darkened theater 

waiting for my eyes to adjust.   

Slowly, my eyes grew accostomed to the dim light, 

and then all the colors sang out.  

The movie screen showed the "Coming Attraction"  . . . 

The beginning of "Coming Attraction" started with the idea of using black beads sewn on a black foundation.  Black is wonderful for showcasing my favorite turquoise color.  But could my eyes adjust to sewing black beads with black thread onto a black foundation?    (Yes!)

I chose two oval magnesite cabochons with black and brown matrix (veining), 

and then added several shiny jet black cabochons, 

all of which I bezeled with seed beads.   

From there, I began a beading journey with texture in mind.  

Above photo shows the finished bead embroidered piece before 

it is attached to the brass blank cuff and made into a bracelet.  

Click on any photo for larger view.

Here are some of the various components in "Coming Attraction."

• magnesite
• dyed jade
• faceted crystal beads
• glass seed beads
• bugle beads
• vintage buttons (3)
• wool-covered button
• AB glass 8 mm beads
• black Lucite flowers
• turquoise and brown dyed Jasper
• crystal bi-cone beads in black and turquoise
• iridescent seed beads
• black sequins (3)

Around the edges of the cuff bracelet, I've sewn on 

size 11 shiny, opaque, black seed beads 

with an apex of three turquoise AB seed beads in the picot design.

I was delighted with the Midnight Black foundation 

by Nicole Campanella (NBB) ~ 

It was not difficult at all sewing black beads onto the black NBB.  

Discover NBB for yourself by visiting:

www.Beadwright.com

"Blue Harmony" ~ Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

"Blue Harmony"

*click on photos for larger image

The above photo shows the beaded bracelet after all the top embroidery is completed, but before it is attached to the inner brass cuff blank.  It's easier to see the bracelet design when it is photographed flat like this first. Once the top beaded foundation is attached to the cuff, the rounded form is more difficult to photograph well, or to see in its entirety. 

Many of my bead embroidered bracelets start with an interesting gemstone cabochon - this one, "Blue Harmony," is no different.  The central jasper gemstone cabochon is a beautiful swirl of blue and earth-toned colors.  I chose to feature the blue and the brown colors, choosing to use a sapphire blue that is neither warm nor cool - a true blue - and a soft brown to play up the blue.  I did not want this blue bracelet to veer to the cool side (aqua blue), or the warm side (violet blue). 

Two swirly glass cabochons flank the focal gemstone and carry out the blue/brown colorway.  Light blue, half-domed pearls encircle the jasper stone in the middle and add a subtle elegance.  In addition to these, I've added glass seed beads, Czech crystals, AB glass cut crystals, earth-toned matte Picasso beads, and four light blue, Lucite, "hibiscus-shaped" flowers. Springing from the middle of the Lucite flowers are blue beaded stamens.  Lucite is a type of acrylic glass - these flowers have a charming frosted look to them.

The inside of the cuff bracelet is finished off with an UltraSuede fabric in a floral and lace pattern in soft blues and creams. 

Below are three photos of the finished bracelet.







 "Blue Harmony" showing side view.

"Blue Harmony" showing bottom of cuff, and inner designed UltraSuede, as well as the picot edging around the bracelet that finishes off the design in a delicate manner.

Top view of "Blue Harmony" bead embroidered cuff bracelet.



"Canyon Creek" Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

*Canyon Creek*

This latest bead embroidered cuff bracelet is called "Canyon Creek."  The Aqua Terra Jasper stones are currently my favorite gemstones ~ they have that water + land appearance, with swirling earth tones in blues, creams, tans, and rusts. 

Click any photo to enlage image.

Above I've shown the beaded top finished on the "Hawk Wing" color of Nicole's BeadBacking foundation.  I think it's easier to see the entire bracelet design when it's flat like this, since the curavture of the cuff bracelet allows you to see only small sections at a time.

In the photo above, I have cut away the backing foundation, and the beaded top part is ready to be glued to the brass blank cuff.  The central focal jasper stone is rectangular, but the two jasper stones on each side are not exactly the same - this lent a slightly free-form design to the bracelet.  It's always enjoyable to pull out the colors from the stones and let them flow where they will.

After I finished the cuff, I decided the central focal jasper cabochon might benefit from a circle of Aqua Terra jasper beads. 

This below photo shows the side view.  Besides the smaller Aqua Terra jasper beads, I placed six larger beads in the same coloration flat on the bracelet with a "stop bead" to hold them down.  I also had four glass flower beads that carried the same color theme.  The rust-colored beads are also glass, but with a matte finish.  Included are aqua crystals, and AB glass beads in several sizes and shapes.

 Inside is a soft, brown UltraSuede.  The edging on this cuff follows the bead choice on the bracelet itself - which is a different look for me, but one I am pleased with.  I even included some metallic cube beads for added interest.  







 

"Peacock Landing" ~ Pyrite and Iris Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

"Peacock Landing"

• Pyrite and Iris Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

*click on all photos for larger view

The above photo shows the flat bead embroidered work before it is attached to the inner brass blank that gives the bracelet the rounded cuff form.  It's easier to see the whole bracelet design when it's photographed flat like this.

I have a fascination for the "iris" finish seed beads.  Iris beads feature an iridescence that showcases colors in purple, violet, blue, turquoise, green, and gold.  These beads are often sold together in a mixture, and sometimes one or another intense color predominates the mix.  The mix that I chose featured mostly violet/magenta beads. 

Pyrite is a mineral (iron pyrite/iron sulfide) with a metallic luster often referred to as "Fool's Gold" because of the pale, brass-yellow hue in the stone.  The pyrite beads I chose for this bracelet have more of a silver tone to them, although a flicker of gold can be seen in some of the rough nuggets called Rainbow Mystic Pyrite.

Below photo shows Rainbow Mystic Pyrite ~ rough iron Pyrite nuggets with a shimmer of colors similar to the iris beads.  The mineral Pyrite is coated with titanium, and then heat-treated to bring out the various lustrous and light-reflective colors.  I thought these Pyrite nuggets would make a great pairing with the colorful iris beads. 

Below is the finished bead embroidered cuff bracelet with a central Pyrite focal cabochon bead.

In addition to the several sizes and shapes of Pyrite (including Pyrite nail-head beads), and the iris beads, I have included gray pearls, glass magenta pearls, AB color-changing crystal beads, bugle beads, and silver-colored hematite beads.

The edges of the bracelet are embellished with size 15/0 iris beads in a picot design. 

The inside of the cuff is soft, black UltraSuede for comfort.

This has turned out to be my favorite bead embroidered cuff bracelet so far.  Possibly because I expected the Pyrite gemstones to lend a casual look to the final piece, but they surprised me by turning out much more elegant.  Still ... I'm not afraid to pair a bracelet like this with jeans.  I hope you are inspired by iridescence.   

"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.

"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.

"Shoreline Surprises" ~ Mixed Gemstone Free-form Beaded Embroidered Pendant Necklace.

"Shoreline Surprises"

*Click photo once or twice for larger image.

Mixed Gemstone Free-form Beaded Embroidered Pendant Necklace.

That's a long name for this project, but it goes a long way in explaining what it is exactly.

It is made up of an assortment of  glass beads, and the stones are turquoise, jasper, agate, sea shells, pearls, crystals, and two Ammonites.  (Click on the photo for a closer view.)

As in most of my bead embroidery projects, the beads are sewn on one at a time, or at the most, two at a time.  Then they are sewn through again (and sometimes more than twice) for added strength and to align the beads properly. 

There is one addition in this pendant that I'll call a " fiery crystal," although I don't know the exact name for it and I can't find them on-line.  (A very sweet friend sold me this one.)  It's very strongly AB-coated (Aurora Borealis) and prismatic with a flashing fiery look.  In the pendant, it is seen in the lower right corner and looks a bit yellow.  I'd be interested in finding more of these if anyone knows a source.  It's almost impossible to get a good photo of it, as it reflects light so strongly, but above I've posted two views. 

This project was very enjoyable and I learned a lot from it.  This is why I love beaded embroidery - it is challenging and meditative all at the same time.