Friday, November 23, 2012

Inspiration and Exploration

Several months ago, I thought of a great book idea - coronation or royal jewelry in seed beadwork,  I have been toying with several ideas and pieces over the last several months, including the inspiration for a  piece that I just finished.  See the medallion in the center?  I could see it in my mind, but wasn't certain.
 (p.s.  I have misplaced my reference for this photo - I know it's around here and I will credit and link to the original when I can find it)
How was I going to do this?  Brick, peyote, RAW?  Nope, bead embroidery.  I drew up a sketch with some ideas that I thought was going to work?  Crystal chain?  Yes,this was going to be my friend with this piece.  I cut the base out of a bead embroidery base fabric, glued and sewed the chain down.  I beaded around this and ended up cutting the round bits off the piece.  I realized that I was going to have to bezel some 39ss rivolis for the corners, which are then joined with the 3-bead picot that is around this piece.  A 14mm glass pearl is in the center of the piece with layers of square stitch beading to give it height.
It was finished this afternoon (except maybe for a pearl pendant at the bottom) and I think that I captured the essence of the piece.  I adapted a bail at top, replacing the crown that was in the original.

Happy Thanksgiving!