Beadwork
Magazine: February/March 2008
"Deco Collar" & "Marguerite Chandelier Earrings"
There are lots of photos
to share this time around and you can get a larger view by visiting my
BLOG.
Beadwork
Magazine's Feb/Mar 2008 issue has a preview project from my new book,
Bead Romantique, (Interweave
April 2008). In this issue, you'll get a chance to preview my Deco
Collar project (pages 52 to55). This design utilizes an odd count
tubular peyote/netting stitch using 15/o and Toho triangle beads.
The stitch is similar to but NOT the same start as what some beaders know
as the
Russian Spiral. Those who are familiar with the Russian Spiral
will notice that the start of my tube is slightly different
because I had to compensate for the 15/o and triangle bead size differences.
I actually didn't even know the existence of the "Russian Spiral" when I was
prototyping this necklace. I was just playing around with odd count
tubular peyote after referencing
Carol Wilcox Well's Creative Bead Weaving book, which noted that the
effect would spiral naturally with no need for a step-up. The first 15/o
bead after the initial start is treated as the high bead in the peyote round.
The stitch can also be perceived by some as an askew "spiral netting" but
the technique and beading motion is more like peyote with multiple beads to me.
The Russian Spiral is similar but starts out initially through the first 15/o
bead whereas my tube starts through the SECOND 15/o bead.
By doing so, helps align the triangle beads much better, I think. All
this goes to show you that there are always more than one way to achieve a
similar look. The things you learn! You can even use the African
Helix or Dutch Spiral to get a similar effect. Or why not substitute your
favorite tube technique for the collar portion. If you experiment, keep in
mind the tube diameter, as it has to fit snuggly into the cubic zircon
beadcaps.
Speaking of the cubic zircon findings, the beadcaps (CA25) and clasp (CL36)
are from my friends at Ezel Jewels.
You can see that I couldn't stop at one necklace, as usual, and made a second
version with rhodium over sterling versions of the findings utilizing
aquamarines. Both versions I think are equally beautiful. How
decadent and beautiful would this necklace be for a formal event? I can
even see something like this for a wedding, in different shades of white
or cream. Hmmmm... something to think about.
The earring project, Marguerite Chandelier Earrings, (pages 68 to 69) in this issue also uses Ezel Jewels' floral earring posts (ER4) and is a good match to a cuff bracelet from the book. You'll have to get the book for the seamless cuff, but I promise you'll love it, as it is one of my favorite projects. Again I couldn't stop at only one pair of earrings and have three other color-ways to share with you. Visit Amazon to order your own personal copy of my book or email me to pre-order an autographed version.