Artfully Decadent Designs-Creative Wearables

The pendant is complete!

2011-10-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

After bonding and trimming soft, repurposed black suede to the back, I attached the two layers with one row of brick stitch with bronze delicas. The bail loop is also made of these. I'm thrilled with the way it turned out, and I hope Marie (skyejewels.com) will be, too. I really like the way the bronze tones pick up the deep browns in the shell. The pendant measures between 2 1/4" and 2 1/2". What a fun project-I can't wait to receive more tiles and try my hand at an embroidered bracelet! Thanks for following this interesting journey-I've enjoyed the ride!

Almost there...

2011-10-16T09:24:00.000-07:00

I decided to add a final ring of root beer seed beads for a glimmer of gold. Now, the backing has been trimmed and touched up. It's time to finish this pendant.

Almost there-or am I?

2011-10-12T15:56:00.000-07:00

I'm liking where this is going. I think I've struck a balance between enhancing Marie-Noel's tile and totally going overboard. Is it done? I'm not sure. The next step is trimming, bonding on the leather backing and constructing the bail. I really love the asymmetry at the bottom, which is 3 taupe green fresh water pearls, and although it's difficult to see in the photo, there is a little brown edge of size 15 seed beads that surround the pearls. It might be a good idea to enhance that a bit more. That's an idea that needs to percolate. I'm pretty sure the edging will be done with deep gold metal 15 seed beads that I've had for a bunch of years. How do you think it's going so far?

Collaboration-I'm on the way, finally!

2011-10-12T15:50:00.000-07:00

Yep-this is much better. The Lacy's is again Sharpie colored, deep green. Note to self-pick up a brown Sharpie. I used deep gray metallic AB seed beads to construct the bezel. This is much more like what I had in mind. I am seeing at this point that the beautiful tile needs to be enhanged, not not overpowered by the beading. BTW, the tile is 1 1/2" in diameter, and beading can get big in a hurry.

A New Collaboration Begins!

2011-10-12T15:41:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to meet Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Skyejewels.etsy.com for finished jewelry, Moreskyejewels.etsy.com for tiles) on Facebook. I love her ephemera tiles with beautiful digital art, and I suggested to her that we collaborate-her tiles, my bead embroidery, just to see what I could come up with. She mailed me a few tiles from Calgary, Alberta, CA and I was thrilled when they arrived here on the coast of NC-how beautiful they are! Here's the first attempt at a pretty pendant. Glued down onto Lacy's Stiff Stuff, I colored the background (black was my first choice) and you can see the roughed out shape with a little more color testing in the corner. I started with gray seed beads to surround the tile with peyote stitch, and as I was beading, I happened to notice that my fingers were black Sharpie stained, and I wasn't digging where I was headed. Now what?

A Fresh Start at ArtFire-new look, new opportunities! Thanks, Beadaholique.com and ArtFire!

2010-11-04T11:27:00.000-07:00

Beadaholique.com recently asked jewelry designers to submit a photo of their work using Beadaholique components and I was fortunate to win one of their prizes, a PRO account at ArtFire, a wonderfully unique online marketplace for handcrafted ART! So, a big THANKS!! to Beadaholique and ArtFire for providing me and 9 other lucky winners with a free for life ArtFire studio! I have always loved to shop at Beadaholique.com for their reasonably priced and beautiful selection of fresh water pearls. My winning submission used a multitude of their peacock pearls in various sizes. They have expanded their line greatly since I first started shopping there, and I would recommend them to any beader. Their shipping is uber-fast and customer service is unparalelled.

Honey Jade and Carnelian Pendant-finished!

2010-05-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

The finished pendant features carnelian chips surrounding the honey jade. I used a few bugle beads and gold pearls to enhance the warmth of the cabs. This was a fun piece, and definitely a learning experience! It is suspended from a simple leather cord. There is a bit of a genie bottle feel, to me.

Honey Jade and Carnelian pendant-with a glimpse of the process...

2010-05-26T13:29:00.000-07:00

I wanted to use multiple shapes of cabochons in a pendant that was out of my typical box. First, I drew outlines of the shapes on paper, then cut out the rough shape that seemed to work. I transferred the shape on to buckram, and glued down the cabs. As you can see, I had to continue refining the outline. I "colored" the background with orange and yellow sharpies and my coloring improved, but that is not pictured. Next up: the finished design.

They Aren't All Winners...but learning experiences!

2010-04-21T12:06:00.000-07:00

Here's an idea gone wrong. I thought it would be an encouragement to other beaders to see a huge mistake, err, learning experience! So, my idea was to brick stitch a triangle, glue a cab to the top, back with ultrasuede then bezel around the cab and add chips to each edge, with the result to be a gorgeous pendant. Yeah, right. You can see how well that turned out! I pulled the cab off, after realizing that I couldn't get a needle through the leather and beads to the edge of the cab. In Tim Gunn's words (from Project Runway) how do you plan to mitigate this?? Hehe, good question. Next time (if there is a next time) I will free-bezel around the cab and then glue down to the brick stitch base, before glueing the backing. Lesson learned! They all can't be winners.

Artist profile: Paula Motsinger Meyncke

2010-03-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

Artist profile: Paula Motsinger Meyncke

Red butterfly embroidery project-finished!

2010-03-12T13:34:00.000-08:00

Here she is! I used all kinds of seed beads, 2 cuts, 3 cuts, transparents, etc., from coral to cranberry. She is backed with repurposed red suede. The problem is, I don't know how to finish her. I have her listed in my etsy shop as ready for a pin back, or a custom necklace. Any thoughts?

Red butterly embroidery project-in progress

2010-03-12T13:29:00.000-08:00

This is a red, whimsical butterfly embroidery project. For this one, I edged around the butterfly and her different sections, then raided my stash for a bunch of varying colors of red.

2010-03-02T10:11:00.000-08:00

I've never really taken the time to learn peyote stitch, but finally got down to it a couple months ago. This was a time consuming but fantastic project! Delica beads of violet/lt bronze comprise the background, with puffed hearts in seed beads pop up dimensionally. I haven't learned odd count yet, so to even one edge, I used a row of brick stitch. It's amazing-the brick disappears into the peyote, and is an exact match. I edged the piece with 15 gold charlottes and finished off with a bronze vintage style stamped flower button and peyote loop. The color is a bit washed out in the photo, but is very vibrant in person. This item is available in my etsy shop.

Turquoise Progression

2010-02-21T10:52:00.000-08:00

Finis! Very different, but I am liking it. It was fun to take you through this progression and I can't wait to do it again with another embroidered piece! For now, I am finishing a netted necklace with cranberry pearls. Jumping from project to project helps me keep in practice and those cranberry pearls were just screaming for a venue.

Turquoise Progression

2010-02-21T10:48:00.000-08:00

Done! A little touch up with Sharpie, ends finished. Love the button. I use these a lot. It's cold, snowy and dismal outside. Will wait for the sunshine for a beauty shot.

Turquoise Progression

2010-02-21T10:47:00.000-08:00

Edging in progress. I am still seeing that show-through.

Turquoise Progression

2010-02-21T10:45:00.000-08:00

I love the glue-down. This one is backed with a remnant of suede. Wow, those alabaster beads really pop.

Turquoise Progression

2010-02-21T10:44:00.000-08:00

Filling in with amazonite chips. A ring of bone delicas around the 3 cabs is looking good. Got some show-through of the buckram. The glue-down will help, but note to self-next time, color the buckram.

Turquoise Progression

2010-02-21T10:42:00.000-08:00

Okay, this is really looking funny but it always does in the middle section to me. I hear amazonite chips calling.

Turquoise Progression

2010-02-21T10:40:00.000-08:00

Okay, this is different for me, but I think it's pleasing. Something's missing though. Not sure what at this point.

Turquoise Progression

2010-02-21T10:39:00.000-08:00

Hmm, don't know what shape this one will take. Starting to rough it out. I think the shape of the center 3 cabs should dictate the shape at the ends. Let's see where it goes.

Turquoise Progression

2010-02-21T10:35:00.000-08:00

Bezeling done. Looks ok so far. Love those green matte seed beads. Throwing in a bit of everything. The buckram has picked up a slight curved shape. So much the better for fitting around the wrist, my dear!

Turquoise Embroidered Bracelet-Progression Project

2010-02-21T10:30:00.000-08:00

Molly asked me if I made all my jewelry myself, and I thought it would be fun to show an embroidered bracelet from beginning to end, with part of the creative process included. The beginning. After the cabs are glued down to buckram, I begin bezeling the center stone. The match on the cabs isn't perfect, but complimentary. I decide to use practically every turquoise seed bead color in my stash. Shown on my fave work surface, a shallow tray with vellux mat cut to fit. By the way, those thread cutters are useless with fireline, but work great with Silamide, which is the thread I am working with here.

2010-02-20T12:16:00.001-08:00

Bracelet and Chevron Necklace-Verdant Green

2010-02-17T13:28:00.000-08:00

I love this necklace's chevron design. It's a very simple base of right angle weave, which is embellished with bugle beads, rounds, flat tablet beads in matte, luster and AB. The bracelet is done exactly the same way. I chose a deco style button from B'Sue Boutiques for the closure.

Midnight Blue Bracelet

2010-02-17T10:51:00.000-08:00

Pretty little bracelet that is so slinky. Midnight blue Japanese seed beads and bugles combine into a checkerboard design. Closed with a small twisted rope toggle. I really got to practice my ladder stitch on this one. Available in my store, artfuldivadesigns.etsy.com.

Beading Times Article on Teardrop beads

2010-01-30T16:01:00.000-08:00

http://www.beadingtimes.com/design1009.htm

Thanks, Sandy, at Beading Times for mentioning my Egyptian influenced collar in the teardrop article. Constructed with bugle beads, seed beads and teardrops in a netting design, this necklace contours beautifully.

Pink Freshwater Pearl Coral Style Necklace

2010-01-15T12:17:00.000-08:00

It's mid-January, and after a very long cold snap, my mind is racing ahead to spring. As a Southerner, after one taste of winter, I'm done and thinking of April showers and May flowers. This pretty and delicate necklace is constructed with seed beads in little graduated branches tipped with palest pink freshwater pearls. It closes with a sterling silver lobster claw clasp.

Blue Moon embroidered bracelet

2010-01-13T14:16:00.000-08:00

I am not sure what the translucent round blue stone cab is, perhaps chalcedony. I was inspired to use a "ray" design which is accomplished in blues, turquoise, bronze, silver and a sprinkle of fire polished crystals. This one was so fun to make. Backed with black suede with a pewter stamped button with loop closure. This one is listed in my etsy store.

Reminiscences and Thanks

2010-01-01T20:28:00.000-08:00

I thought a lot today about my bead art. Who I am as an artist, who influences me, and some doubts that came from an unlikely source. So, where are I heading, and what will I be doing in the next year? That remains to be seen.
As I think back to 7 or 8 years ago, when I delicately immersed my proverbial toe into bead art, I remember Ann Benson's books that I purchased, hoping to find some direction, not knowing where or how to start. Thanks, Ann.
I started this beady path with a consuming interest in tiny little knitted pendant bags. Quite frankly, I don't remember how that passion started. But, in the course of my research I found Penny Taylor-Wallace, now the editor of Knit 'N Style magazine, who was a huge source of information and support, not to mention gorgeous supplies! Thanks, Penny, and best of luck in your new creative direction!
Although I have not taken a single beading lesson in my life, unless you count sweet Sharon Solly (Harry) who painstakingly taught this non-herringbone (ndebele) knowledgeable beader how to do tubular herringbone, in the food court of a mall. Thanks, Harry.
And, a special thank you to Deb Roberti, who is a brilliant pattern designer. She designs gorgeous bracelets, earrings and necklaces using, primarily but not limited to triangle weave. Her patterns are crystal clear, her designs are genius, and her friendship and support over the last 3 years has been inspiring. We connected after her family vacation to Virginia Beach, and I hope to learn legit lasagne from her, first-hand, one day. I encourage all you beaders who love the romanticism of working with Swarovski bicones, fire polished beads and those tiny little seed beads to give her web site a look at www.aroundthebeadingtable.com. She is a well-spring of knowledge, talent and the deep desire to help others. Many, many thanks Deb. You're the best.
The gorgeous rose (flower) garden bracelet at the top of this entry is designed by Deb, using Swarovski bicones in rose and olive, with 4 mm Swarovski crystal pearls. Genius.

Woven Champagne and Pearls bracelet

2009-12-15T21:34:00.000-08:00

There is a symbiotic relationship between silver and gold. I read a book recently in which the main character, Marie Antoinette (Abundance, by Sena Jeter Naslund) asked, " is the light more silvery or gold?" I think both. Wide and woven embellished with many silver and gold elements including champagne pearls and closed with a mother of pearl button, this wrist adornment is lovely and comfortable to wear.

Garnet Night Glow Necklace

2009-12-15T21:28:00.000-08:00

There is something so mesmerizing to me about garnets. There is fire, but deep, warm, clove scented fire. I have a few garnet pieces in my personal collection, and this one begs to join..but, I am keeping it available to other lovers of garnet. Five strands of rounded garnet chips, interspersed with flat coin shaped garnets. This connects to a sterling strand reducer and closes with a chain for customizing the length. No detail is left overlooked, the end of the chain is embellished as well. Available.

Red Ruffled Tiny Swag Bag

2009-11-17T10:21:00.000-08:00

About 8 years ago, I discovered these tiny knitted necklace pouches. I searched the internet for patterns, and found Bag Lady. The search for beads on hanks began my path to the beading I love now. Knitted on tiny steel needles with pearl cotton. This one is reminiscent of a ruffled skirt, or tutu. This style never fails to bring comments at shows! There is one available at www.artfuldivadesigns.etsy.com.

Fresh Water Pearl Woven Necklace with Earrings

2009-11-10T10:31:00.000-08:00

I love to shop for fresh water pearls. Sometimes the more "off" round ones are more interesting than the cookie-cutter perfectly round ones...you know, Grandma's pearls. We all have a strand, right? Because these pale green taupe pearls seemed to ask for an unusual design, I incorporated silver lined Miyuki seed beads and started a round weave that ended in points. I love this! The necklace closes with an antique reproduction stamped brass flower button. The earrings are one motif of the necklace, suspended from sterling French wires. This set has been sold, but is available in my etsy store in pale peach.

Bridal Splendor Chevron Necklace

2009-11-10T10:09:00.000-08:00

I am always inspired by romanticism, and this necklace fits the bill. There is something special about white, pearls and crystals. Constructed by hand in netting stitch, the surface of this chevron necklace is embellished with glass pearls, faceted AB clear crystals and seed beads. Closed with a Swarovski crystal button. The bracelet is a ruffled design that I am fond of. It's a true chameleon! While looking very elegant in white, it can be whimsical as the Autumn Leaves bracelet I featured in a previous post. This one features a plethora of fresh water pearls, silver and gold touches, crystals, frosted and clear glass shapes.

Autumn Leaves Ruffled Bracelet

2009-11-03T21:46:00.000-08:00

I think autumn is my favorite season. The air changes...the humidity and haziness of summer is a memory. All of the sudden, it's apparent that there is huge change in the air. The crispness, the slight chill and the gorgeous transformation of the leaves. In this bracelet, I have tried to represent those elusive colors. From eggplant to bright gold, the occasional green leaves that remain and a secretive lady bug or two...you will have to search for them! Rendered on a base of silvered gold glass seed beads. This item is available at http://www.artfuldivadesigns.etsy.com/

Amethyst Pear Facets with Champagne Pearls earrings

2009-11-03T10:55:00.000-08:00

I purchased these gorgeous faceted amethyst AB beads in Napa Valley, CA several years ago. They begged for a design, but I couldn't think of a way to use them in a necklace. They deserved to be on their own, and earrings seemed to be the perfect solution. The crystals have a flashy opalescent appearance, and voila, champagne freshwater button pearls to the rescue! When hanging from the earlobe from sterling wires, the pearls form a graceful moving "collar" atop the crystals. It's amazing the light earrings bring to the face!

Baroque Inspired Bracelet

2009-11-01T19:33:00.000-08:00

The autumn colors of the earth, after the colorful leaves have had their season of glory. Bronzes, silvers, golds and champagnes. This bracelet is extravagantly embroidered and features a center cabochon and lucite button with bits of grass. Very elegant on the wrist. This piece is for sale at my web site, artfuldivadesigns.etsy.com.