"Cleopatra's Prize"

Inpiration:  "The Colors of Egyptian Art"

Leafing through a catalogue recently, I came across an example of Egyptian art.  I cut this part out because I love the combination of colors and wanted to use them in a bead embroidered cuff bracelet project.

I've covered up a part of the writing in the lower left corner to make it less distracting - but the colors are black, terra cotta, turquoise/verdigris and a subtle, light gold color.

The above photo shows the beaded bracelet on the foundation before it was attached to the inner brass cuff.

It's always easier to see the whole design flat like this, instead of wrapped around the circular cuff.   

click on any image to enlarge

The turquoise that I chose for my bracelet is a much stronger color with a deeper intensity than what is shown in the example of Egyptian art above.  I was happy with the colors I chose, and the ones in the example were merely a jumping-off point.  Perhaps at a later date I'll use the same inspiration but choose a true light verdigris and incorporate the light gold, as well.

For now, I liked the stronger palette - and I always go with my first instincts.

The turquoise stones in this bracelet are dyed Jasper. These small disks were arranged flat with a size 15 terra cotta glass seed bead as a "stop" bead to hold them down.  They showed more of the Jasper placed this way, instead of lined up flat, side to flat side.

 I've decided there just isn't a "look" that Jasper can't fill in for - it's been my go-to gemstone for most of my projects.  The central oval cabochon is also Jasper, and this one has a rich terra cotta color that works so well with the turquoise.

The round stones with an orange glow are Carnelian.  This stone marries well with turquoise, as it is a very close complementary color (green-turquoise + red-orange).  In addition, I added in some faceted crystals with a turquoise and gold, and a number of turquoise-colored glass pearls in two sizes.  The rest are seed beads - all glass beads, in sizes ranging from 8 to 15.  The blacks are both the shiny opaque black (Czech size 12) and the matte black (Japanese size 8) for added interest.  Tiny light turquoise seed beads are intersperced in any areas where the round stones left a bit of a gap.

The edges of the cuff are finished off with a picot edging,
and the underside is a very soft teal-colored UltraSuede. 

As usual, my work is hand-sewn and embroidered on Nicole Campanella's NBB, the foundation that is perfect for this work.  There is a brass bracelet blank inside sandwiched between the top beaded part and the underside UltraSuede, which is in a rich teal color.

For more information on my preferred bead embroidery foundation called NBB, please click here:
http://beadwright.com/

Contact me if you are interested in sources for brass bracelet blanks or UltraSuede.

"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

"Buried Treasure"

"Buried Treasure"

click on photos for larger image

For many years I've held a fascination for ammonites.  These fossilized shells with a spiral core are individually unique in size, shape, and overall appearance.  I chose 12 from my growing collection with the intention of making a bracelet, but clearly there were too many for wrapping around my wrist - and I was determined to use this particular group.  A necklace became the next best idea.

Photos are by my dear friend Sharlet Sizemore, 

of "Beads and More" in Kerrville, Texas. 

Many thanks to her for taking an accurate color photo.

A closer look below ...

Each of the individual ammonites were first bezeled on Midnight Black foundation (Nicole's BeadBacking) and completely finished (without the UltraSuede backing).  Once I had all 12 ammonites bezeled, I then sewed them onto Rich Brown  foundation (Nicole's BeadBacking).  After they were all positioned and held firmly on the foundation with stitches, I then beaded around the ammonites with various beads and gemstones.

Included in the mix were jasper and agate gemstone beads in sizes 10, 8, and 6 mm., some of which were faceted.  Also glass pearls, Swarovski cut crystals, Miyuki Picasso magatamas (delicate drop beads) and a variety of Japanese seed beads in several sizes including 6, 8, 11, and 15.

This was easily the most involved piece of bead embroidery I've ever attempted, but it was also the most enjoyable.  The bead embroidered section (minus the necklace) measures about 9" high by 7" wide.  The backing is a dark brown UltraSuede, and the necklace part is made with brown glass pearls separated by glass seed beads.  

For more information and to order the fabulous bead backing foundation (NBB) by Nicole Campanella, please visit her Web site:

http://www.beadwright.com/

Because her NBB so outshines the competition in the arena of foundation material, I was able to easily manipulate around these very high bezeled ammonites to work the intricate beading between them.  NBB will bend easily, and then magically return to the same perfect stiffness required throughout the entire beading project.  If you are a bead embroiderer and haven't tried it, please treat yourself to the best!

Now to continue my search for beautiful ammonites to make that bracelet . . . 

Photo above shows brown glass pearls necklace and gold findings.

click on photos for larger image

"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

"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.   

"Truth and Beauty" ~ Scarlet and Midnight Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet.

"Truth and Beauty"

Scarlet and Midnight Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet.

click photo for larger image

Above is the Scarlet and Midnight Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet, "Truth and Beauty." It is difficult to get black stones to show up well. This cuff is mostly glass beads with some jet stones and onyx stones included, as well as crystals and pearls.  Inside the cuff is soft, black, UltraSuede fabric lining.

"Cultured Grace" ~ Olivine, Midnight, and Silver Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

"Cultured Grace"

Olivine, Midnight, and Silver Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

 (Two views of the same bracelet with different lighting effects.)

* click photos for larger image

 This bead embroidered cuff bracelet includes a central jasper cabochon, pearls, dichroic glass (containing ultra-thin layers of silver), crystals, agate gemstones, and glass seed and bugle beads with a black UltraSuede lining.

 Above is what the bracelet looked like after the beads were embroidered onto the foundation, and before it was attached to the inner brass cuff, which gives it a form-fit around the wrist.

All of the beads and stones are sewn onto the foundation one at a time (or two at a time if very small), and then back-stitched twice to secure the beads to the foundation and to align them correctly.

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.)