Showing posts with label Rolo Chain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rolo Chain. Show all posts

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Dragonfly Pendant

Oh the wonderful world of buttons! This beautiful button was found by chance at a vintage button trunk show...much like the one at Monica's Quilt and Bead Creations on til Sunday, Feb 26th.
How different this piece became after I changed out a large bead and inserted this vintage button. In a class taken with Jaime Cloud Eakins, one of the foremost authors of bead embroidery, I created this small pendant, a feature in her newest book, Dimensional Bead Embroidery.
It was a fun piece to make, in part, I think, of the use of those bugle beads. Boy, did they cover the area quickly! After I had finished, I found the button so then the challenge on how to change it since the backing was complete. One of the reasons I make these pieces with lots of new threads is so I can change something later. So glad I had done the same here! I knew the other old bead and surrounding bead trim were each on their own thread line. If I cut one section away it wasn't going to interfere with the neighboring beads. The biggest threat was the backing, but since that was in Ultrasuede I knew it was going to be easier than leather to stitch through. Very happily I set about to change my old bead into a new button and I think it improved the piece exponentially!
Come to Monica's and see tables full of wonderful Vintage Buttons and Beads this weekend!
Get inspired by a cute button bracelet made by Starr and stay for a free "Make & Take"!!!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Chained Melody

Purple 1.5mm leather in Satin Hamilton Finish Sliver Rolo style Chain with a three loop clasp.
Pretty in pink 2mm leather in Gunmetal Black Rolo style Chain with three loop slide.
Coral 1.5mm leather in Antique Copper Rolo style Chain with a two snaps and extra beads.
Look at what fun a few feet of chain and leather can lead to! What could be simpler than weaving thru the loops??? This bracelet makes a fun, funky statement in a very modern way. Of course, a few tips always help, such as using your macrame board to steady the chain and knowing which end is next in the weaving process. Keep it steady and straight as she goes and you'll be finished in no time at all...Keep your eye open for an extra wide cuff in an industry ad in your favorite bead magazine, I think they used twelve rows of chain for the cuff...how'd they do that??? I'm off to figure that mystery out...more later when the answer comes!