Monogram “JG”

Tags

applique, bead embroidery, beads, beadwork, colour, monogram

Beaded monogram of the letters “JG” that I did for a friend. I wanted the colours to reflect those of a medieval codex, or at least what I imagine those colours should be. 😉

Monogram JG

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Sand Coloured Cuff

Tags

bead embroidery, beads, beadwork, bracelet, colour, cuff

I called this piece “Sand Coloured” because the hues reminded me of a very close-up photo of beach sand, how it is so full of soft multi colours and water worn shapes. The main focus of the piece is the stone rectangles, perpendicular to the opened cuff, with backstitched beads and bugles flowing around the stones. The outside edge of the cuff itself has soft waves, spiral edged with more beads.

“Sand Colours” Cuff Closed

The cuff is backed with soft faux suede and closes with two snaps. The snaps keep it in place so nicely, not too tight but not wiggly. This is so comfortable to wear that I forget it is on – until I see it!

“Sand Colours” Cuff

Commissioned Piece

Tags

beadweaving, beadwork, colour, jewellery, jewelry

I have been working on a commissioned piece that I call “Prismatica”. I worked with the woman who wanted it to get a specific length and colour combination. The result was a peyote stitched necklace of vibrant metallic hues and deep royal blue oil slick seed beads.

The necklace closes with a self beaded bar and loop closure. This prevents any metal touching sensitive skin and keeps the colours travelling all around the neck. Click on the photo for a larger view.

Prismatica Necklace – Close Up

In the close up you can see the simple pattern: 6 rows of 4 metallic/coloured beads and 3 rows of the contrasting blue. Very rich and happy looking!

I love peyote stitch – so flexible and fabric-like and super fun to do.

Moar Alphabetty

Tags

bead embroidery, beadwork, colour, jewellery, jewelry

Here is the full view of the monogram from the top left of the header above – “A” and “D”.

I wasn’t sure about the colours at first. I thought they might be too much of a contrast and end up looking over the top. What made them work, I believe, is the open space in the letter “A” – the fact that it isn’t filled in creates a breathing space that pulls it together. I like the chunky effect of the pearly beads inside the “D”.

All in all, this monogram turned out great, I think!

“Rose Window” Inspired Beadwoven Circles

Tags

beaded necklace bead weaving beadwoven free form, beadwork, cathedral, colour, gothic, jewellery, stained glass

Using the Rose Window theme, I made two beaded circles. The first one took a little time to get the stitches and bead quantities just right, but it turned out pretty well. I ended by going back into the centre and stitching beads on top of beads for a raised, 3D effect. This pulled it all together nicely…

First “Rose Window” Circle

The second circle was much easier and simpler and I like some things about it better but it doesn’t look as much like tracery as the first. I made a duplicate of this to make sure I could follow my stitches if I wanted to keep this design in my head. It was easy and went quite fast!

Second “Rose Window” Circle

These could be incorporated into a huge variety of things – pendants, earrings, bracelet centrepieces, linked together into a belt, a centre for a hair ornament or fascinator, appliques, burlesque pasties…Can’t wait to try some of them out…Stay tuned!

“Rose Window” Bracelet

Tags

beadwork, bracelet, cathedral, colour, gothic, jewellery, stained glass

I started a new cathedral bracelet but divided the colour scheme into three parts with the ends having large blue beads on the outside and the centre section having red beads on the outside. I finished it, and added more large golden yellow beads to the middle section. It didn’t look quite right to me, so I added a border of smaller blue beads on the outside again. This developed into a netting stitch that formed a half circle on each side of the centre section. The idea of a Rose Window came into my head. I am definitely going to run with this idea!

Rose Window from Notre Dame Cathedral

Bracelet Inspired by Gothic Windows

“Rose Window” Bracelet

Bracelet Clasp

Inspiration

Tags

cathedral, Chartres, colour, gothic, light, mystery, stained glass

In my first blog post I wrote:

For me beads, especially glass beads, are tiny universes of light and delight. Like the beautiful stained glass windows of Chartres Cathedral, light through glass has always inspired me in the meaning of the word “inspiration” as “filling with spirit”.

The stained glass windows of Gothic cathedrals have always fascinated me. The oldest window are sometimes, IMO, the best. The execution was simple – the materials unsophisticated BUT the drive to use coloured glass as a transformative medium was pure, undiluted by the lure of technical display.

The brilliance and power of this art is stunning. The imperfections of the media serve to enhance its mystery.

They say that since glass is a fluid, the panes have actually “melted” downwards a bit over time. FLUID, LIVING COLOUR?  What could be more awesome than that?

SO I have decided to try my hand at Chartres-inspired jewellery. This was my first try. I loved it so much I made a matching ankle cuff exactly the same.

First Attempt at a Stained Glass Inspired Piece

It looks pretty good in the light. But I wanted MORE!

So I made another one, different colours, including the rich red found in the windows. It was a bit of a bust since I made too many mistakes to let it live, but from its ashes rose, phoenix-like, the next one.

Second “Cathedral” Bracelet

Second “Cathedral” Bracelet in Action!

I like this, but I wanted a simpler version, to see what that would be like:

Third “Cathedral” Bracelet

Good too, but I’m still on a stained-glass rampage, so expect more to come…