Saturday, September 21, 2013


Good morning all. I have a double post today. The very talented Sally Russick of  thestudiosublime.com proposed a challenge/blog hop called Creating with cabochons. I was too late for the sign up but I decided to create a bead embroidered necklace anyway. I named my necklace "Sally in Green" since Sally is who inspired it. I love to do bead embroidery. The center stone is green crazy lace agate. The rounds are amazonite. The two smaller cabs are adventurine. The cube beads are titanium coated hematite. Aren't they cool? I used super duos around the edge and the picots are hematite size 15 seed beads. Green pearls end the fringe.  The super duos strap pattern came from "Bead Design Studio" magazine June 2013.  It just seemed to fit this project. Last weekend was bead retreat for me so I got most of my necklace done there. When I got home I made the clasp and wal-la it was done. I have been amazed at all the talent shown in the other participants cab usage. You can see the others at Sally's link above.
For focusing on life the prompt this week our prompt was quiet time. For me my beadwork provides quiet time. So I decided to show my bead board. I took a piece of plywood and put foam on the edge to make it easier on my arms.Then I covered it with fabric. The board sits across the arms of my lazyboy chair. When I want to get up I simply move the board onto the three drawer roller cart and push it out of my way. It is a comfortable place to sit quietly and bead. The necklace that is in progress is from bead retreat. It was a free kit. Some of the others made bracelets but I chose a necklace. The peanut beads came as a mix. The white ones had the smallest amount so I stopped when I ran out of white peanuts. The beaded bead in progress will be the focal.I chose black glass flowers to accent the strands and finished them with the blue peanuts and 4mm white pearls. I am likong how the piece is coming together. To see what the others photographed for quiet time please check out Sally's blog thestudiosublime.com


16 comments:

  1. What a stunning necklace Becky! Your work is amazing. And, such a nice, quiet moment, being able to design such a lovely piece!

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    1. Thanx Shel,I start with a basic idea then I just stitch where the beads want to go. The book "Dimensional Bead Embroidery" by Jamie Cloud Eakin help me learn to design bead embroidery. Jamie breaks everything down into manageable steps and gives several options for each step. She doesn't just teach you to make a project she really teaches you to design. If you want to do more bead embroidery I recommend this book really highly. I do enjoy the quiet.

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  2. I love the peaceful colors and design of your bead embroidery. It really matches your amazing stone.

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    1. Thanx Karin. I was worried that my color choices were too dark. I am pleased with how it came out though. The titanium squares really pulled it all together.

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  3. Really gorgeous beadwork here Becky! I really like the design and the fringe gives it that boho feel!

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  4. Thanx Cynthia. Somehow to me bead embroidery needs fringe to look finished.

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  5. Beautiful Becky, the end result and your planning for a comfortable quiet spot to work. Perfect!

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  6. Becky, I am SO impressed with your beautiful necklace. I am truly in awe of anyone who can do this type of beadwork. The focal there blows my mind and looks like it must have taken hours to finish! I love the color combination.
    Your beading set up looks perfect. So relaxing doing something you love!

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    1. Thanx Cindy. It feels wonderful to have other bead artists like my work.I think It took me about 3 days to stitch this necklace. My set up works well for me.

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  7. The board sounds a great idea - your hands can be busy beading, while the rest of you relaxes :)
    Stunning necklace!

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    1. Thanx Claire, I use my bead board almost every day. I am really glad that I made it. I am glad that you like my necklace.

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  8. Oh..that beaded necklace is superb! I adore amazonite - it matches my eyes! Your work is fabulous! I cannot even imagine creating that design, much less sewing the beads!

    Now - that bead board should have a patent on it - what a fantastic idea! Kudos to you!

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    1. Thanx Patti,I am pleased with how my necklace turned out. I'm reading a book that says the colors you wear affect your life results. They recommend wearing the color of your eyes for best results,so you should wear amazonite.We all have techniques that are easier for us and hard for others. I like doing bead embroidery. When I look at your wirework I admire it but I would not be able to do it. I have recommended my bead board to several other beaders. I am able to sit comfortably in my lazyboy when I bead and I like it.

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  9. Said it before ~ Beaders amaze me. You are so blessed to have the ability to create such beauty!

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