Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Today's The Day...

Today's the day I decided to make time to crack open Marcia DeCoster's "Beaded Opulence" book. I've been itching to try the layered right angle weave that Marcia demos in the instructions for her Quetzal ring project.



But do I start with the beautiful one inch square shown in the final picture? NO! I chose to make a cuff bracelet: something with stylish structure, and far too many seed beads to count.

To begin, I beaded a piece 8 units wide by 60 units long (a unit being 4 beads stitched into a circle).



This bit of beading was nicely fluid, like a drapable piece of fabric. I began adding RAW layers, decreasing width of each. Each new layer added rigidity and weight to the final piece.

At the beginning of the project, I'd planned a total of three layers. But after finishing the third layer, there were beads left in my bowl and I just couldn't stop. I kept going until there were five layers of RAW and the piece had a pronounced domed structure.



When it comes to finishing, I really like the little feminine details that designer, Lisa Kan, gives her pieces. I pulled her book, "Bead Romantique" off my shelf to find instructions for encasing the ends of a bracelet in peyote stitch.



The final touch: add a single line of Czech fire polished crystals down the center of the bracelet's dome for sparkle.


The lines are simple, but there was nothing simple about its creation. Ten hours of work, and the equivalent of a full hank of size 11 seed beads later, I have a piece fit for someone like Jackie O to wear. Anyone who puts it on will feel like royalty.

copyright 2010 Shibori Girl

13 comments:

Snap said...

It's magnificent! Golly, Kate ... do you wear magnifying glasses?!!! My old eyes would be going nuts!

Lisa Fuller said...

This is absolutely beautiful, Kate. I always enjoy reading about the design process and how it often changes as the designer goes along. I think your finished piece is amazing and definitely fit for a queen!

Later Than We Think said...

Kate, absoulty gorgeous and I have said before it would be mine if I could afford it. Hoping Jacqueline finds her way to a good home soon.

Rose Clearfield said...

Stunning piece, Kate!! I love the structure. The color combination is so elegant.

LW said...

Oh my, this one is dazzling…

I absolutely love it; the colors are so pretty together.

Louise

Gabriela Delworth - Instructional Designer said...

Hello Kate,

That's right...no kidding you would feel like royalty with this piece!



~ Gabriela ~

Unknown said...

This piece is stunning Kate!!

x..x

Callie Mitchell said...

So, so beautiful! I've been wanting to wade into those layered RAW waters myself; you've set a very high benchmark! Did you send a pic to Marcia? I'll bet she'd love to see it.

shibori girl said...

I sent her an email with a link to the post, and she wrote back right away.

Thanks for the nice comments!

Kate

Callie Mitchell said...

Of course she did! And loved it!

Fete et Fleur said...

Only 10 hours! I can't believe it. I was thinking more like 10 weeks.

Gorgeous as always, Kate!

Hugs!
Nancy

somepinkflowers said...

ooohhh.....
if i lived Near*By
i would hop in
and
try it on...

:-)

{{it has been weeks
since i felt like royalty,
WEEKS...}}

have a yummy week-end,
missy,
mine starts NOW!

really
you should

go rest your eyes...

Marsha Wiest-Hines said...

Beautiful Kate! Delicate and elegant color use!