Still Fascinated with Wire

I'm still fascinated with wire work so I thought I would post several of my latest projects.  One of the neatest things I have discovered through a friend is the Lazee Daizee Viking Knit tool.  Created by Stephanie Eddy, this wonderful tool makes the most beautiful chains.  Check out Stephanie's site for a youtube video and demonstration.  You can order directly through her website as well.

Viking knit chain
 

Crocheted apple tree

The chain pictured here is made with the 1/4" tool and 28 gauge wire.  I covered the cabochon with a free form crochet frame made with 26 gauge wire.  I've added the apple tree using 2.5mm Swarovski bicones in olive and siam.   I created the design as I went and it was an enjoyable project. 

Tree of life pendant

I took a class at the Brazoria Library's bead club.  It was a fun project creating another tree.  It's wonderful to have willing teachers to share their knowledge.

Bird nest pendant

Last month I took a class at the Bead Attic, our local bead shop.  We made this cute bird nest pendant.

After completing my crazy quilt I seem to have lost my creativity.  I'm hoping it will return soon.  In the meantime I am thoroughly enjoying my new source of creativity.

Learning to Wire Wrap Cabochons

Picture Jasper

My wonderful son has given me many beautiful cabochons over the past few years and I am just now attempting to learn how to wire-wrap them.

One of my dear crazy quilt "sisters" offered to give me some lessons so I thought I would share my work.

Picture jasper - back view

Lois got me "hooked" when she offered to wrap one of my cabochons. Jason had given me this picture jasper several years ago, and it was one of my favorites.  Pictured here is the exquisite work she did for me.

The back of the cab is almost as beautiful as the front as you can see in this photo.



Chinese Green Turquoise

I chose this Chinese green turquoise for my first attempt.  Although I had lots of help from Lois, I am pleased with the work I contributed.


It's very difficult for me to wrap those 4 wires and have all those tiny wraps uniform.  If I just had one more hand I think I could do a better job.  I've added some Swarovski bicones and bronze seed beads and wrapped it in a vintage bronze.


Turquoise

I did this turquoise piece for my second attempt.  I'm not as pleased with how I shaped my wires so I will probably redo it.  I need a lot more practice with designing my wires.

Jason was in South Africa last year on business and brought back a gorgeous tiger's eye cabochon.  I'm working toward getting good enough to wrap that one.

It Must BeTime to Bead

I just received this gorgeous cabochon from Vic. Of course I was instantly in the mood to pick up my beads and start beading. Before I get totally involved, however, I thought I would share some cabs I have done over the years.

In this picture one is a cab and the other two are buttons with the shank removed. The red and gold ones are the buttons.

Several years ago I posted in one of my Yahoo groups some steps in beading a cab so thought I would share that with all of you.

1. Using Fabri-Tac or E6000, glue a cabochon or button with a flat back (you can cut shanks off) to a piece of felt about an inch larger than the button. Only glue the center of the button and not around the edges. This will prevent you getting a needle through. Let this dry overnight.

2. Add a row of beads around the outside of the button. I thread on 5 beads, going back down through the felt angling toward the center of the button. Come back up at the 3rd. bead, putting thread through the 3, 4, & 5 bead and adding 5 more. Continue this step until you have circled the button. I used one color of bead on this row but that is optional.

3. Add a second row of beads around the outside of row 1 of bead following the same technique. You will cut the felt even with row 2 when that is complete so make sure your thread goes in at an angle toward the center of the button. Otherwise you will cut threads as you trim the felt away. On this row I alternated two colors.

4. Working with about 18" of beading thread, a color matching the beads if possible, bury your knot. The smaller the bead you use now, the more delicate the frill.

5. Put 3 beads on the needle, go down through the felt about one bead width away from where you came up with the needle. Turn the button over and put your needle up and through the last bead that you threaded on. Turn the button over and add 2 beads and follow the step above: put your needle down through the felt about one bead width away from where you came up, turn the button over and put your needle up and through the last bead. Turn the button over and add 2 more beads and repeat this process until you have circled the button. End with 2 beads, come up through the second bead and add one and go down through the very first bead where you started. Stabilize with a knot.

6. Bring your needle and thread up through the last bead. Notice how the beads form a step row: one up, one down, one up line around the button. On this row you will be going through the one up bead in each sequence. Add 3 beads then thread through the top bead of the step row. Repeat this around the entire circle.

7. If you choose you can knot off with the row or add one additional row for a fuller frill. If you add an additional row you will bring your needle and thread up through the last bead, add 3 beads then thread through the top bead of the previous step row. Repeat around the entire circle.

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The cab on the right is a large metal button covered with fabric and them embellished with silk ribbon embroidery. I did the button but the beading was done by dear friend, Lynnis.

I was slowly drawn into trying more complicated patterns. The black velvet one below is one of those. It is also a large metal button covered with velvet and embellished with silk ribbon. I totally encased this one with a beaded picot stitch. Fairly easy to do but it certainly takes a long time.

I just had to have necklaces to match when I finished these cabochons so that called for more beading.

I love to collect old jewelry and take it apart saving some of the more beautiful stones to use in my beading.

My real love is crazy quilting and silk ribbon embroidery but beading is also very rewarding.

Today is Beading Day

Although crazy quilting and silk ribbon embroidery is my first love, I also enjoy beading. Who could resist all those bright and sparkling gems? For the past two years Jason has given me some beautiful cabochons for Christmas. Today I thought I would share some pictures of several.

This year he gave me this gorgeous stromatolite from England said to be 2 billion years old. Stromatolite is colonies of algae that are the earliest known living organisms in fossil record. Sometimes it's referred to as "landscape marble" because the algae colonies look like an outdoor landscape. The back is just as beautiful as the front which I found really unusual.


Last year he gave me a beautiful unakite jasper cabochon. I've made the 2-strand necklace pictured here. I've done a peyote stitch bezel around the stone. The necklace has fresh water pearls, Czech glass leaves and Swarovski crystals.


Many thanks to all of you who have welcomed me to the blogging world. I appreciate your kind words and compliments on my work. Specials thanks to my dear friends Julie, Judith and Allie for spreading the word through their blogs.

I'm enjoying my adventure and look forward to browsing through blogs on a daily basis. I love all the wonderful ideas and inspiration.