Beading All The Way

I just finished my first ever peyote in the round necklace.  I have made a beaded bezel for a polymer clay cabochon that I made.  I thought it came out pretty good and I was eager to try another one. 

 Well life intervened and it was months before I got around to making another piece.
 I started beading the cabochon  several times, trying to make the bezel fit around the cabochon, just like it did for the "experts" on You-Tube.  I didn't have much luck.  My cabochon slid out, rolled under my refrigerator or the beads got twisted and became a tangled mess.

Now, my prescribed behavior for these setbacks is to throw the whole piece at the wall while muttering several colorful profanities, but I contained myself, seeing as how I was babysitting my grandson at the time. 

I finally decided to go back to the way I had created the first piece.  That worked much better and I completed the bezel in no time.

Now it was time to start the peyote round stitch to create the necklace.  I found some videos on the aforementioned You-Tube and went to town.  Yes, I went to town, but oh, so, slooowly.  The town I was going to could have pick up and moved while I was working on this necklace.   Did anyone ever tell you that beading a necklace in peyote stitch using 11/0 beads is so boring!!  At least, I think so.  The piece sat on my studio bench for months, growing in miniscule increments.  I really did work on it, but only for a few rows at a time.  Much more than that and I wanted to take a nap.

But I finally finished it!  And let me state right now, before all you beaders out there show up at my house in angry protest, in retrospect, beading the necklace wasn't that bad and I will probably do it again.  But I think I'll wait for the depths of winter before I try.

Here's the finished project.  I'm quite proud of it.
Victorian Bordello Beaded Cabochon and Necklace

The Color Black

The color black is a fashion essential from the little black dress to a touch of jet or ebony at your ears or wrist.  Black seems to set other colors off, giving them a pop that they would not possess on their own.  Here are a few items from around the web that I found and loved.  Hope you love them, as well.

Snowman Earrings by Shadow Dog Designs

Focal Bead by Blue Morning Expressions

 

Pin/Pendant by Andrus Gardens 

 Fingerless Gloves by Giese Deseigns

Modern Abstract Pendant by Valeries Stuff 

Shaving/Drinking Mug by Pottery Heaven

Black Bat Necklace by Fantasy Clay Store

Baby Beanie by TL Yarn Crafts

Everything's In Black And White

The blog roll topic from The Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild on Art Fire  is black and white.  This is one of my favorite color combinations.  Black against a stark white background is eye catching and dramatic.  Designers of clothing and home decor always seem to include this color combo in their collections.

Working with black and white polymer clay can be difficult.  The black wants to smear on the white and the white wants to infiltrate the black,  I've chosen a few pieces from Smooshers who seem to have beat the two colors into submission and created pieces  that use this wonderful combination.

This Oreo Cupcake Necklace from Black Dog Jewelry  is whimsical and fun.  I love the way the "frosting" swirls on top of the cupcake.

The Black and White Psychedelic Shawl Pin by Cynthia Blanton   takes an ancient piece of jewelry and brings it into the 21st  century.

These Handmade Polymer clay Beads by Prescence  have an added touch of silver that, in a way, remind me of liquid mercury.

The Celtic Inspired Cuff Bracelet by Sharp Art By Dawna  is both dramatic and striking.  The red inner part of the cuff sets off the black and white design wonderfully.

Black Is Black

Black as night, little black dress, black as my soul, these are expressions using the color black.  The color black, when used in polymer clay as a medium sets off other colors, making them more vibrant and vital.

I have chosen some pieces made by members of the Polymer Clay Smoosher's Guild on Art Fire to highlight this.




Night Fire Polymer Clay Pendant by Valerie's Stuff

The use of black in this pendant by Valerie's Stuff really shows off the flame pattern in this striking pendant.

Polymer Rainbow Swirl Adjustable Copper Ring by Flower Child's Art Jewelry

The black clay used in this adjustable copper ring by Flower Child's Art Jewelry brings the other colors to life, giving them an added depth. 

Black and White Raw Polymer Clay Cane by Blue Morning Expressions

The black in this raw cane by Blue Morning Expressions, provides a vivid contrast to the pattern.


Black Bear Polymer Clay Charm Necklace by Black Dog Jewelry

This adorable black bear necklace by Black Dog Jewelry shows a wonderful use of black polymer clay in the bear figure.


Black and White Kaleidoscope Earrings by Amazing Designs

These earrings by Amazing Designs, again shows how black contrasting with white can make a simple pair of earrings, striking.

OOAK Cat Sculpture by Creative Critters

And Creative Critters talented use of black for her cat sculpture brings back memories of some of my favorite kitties.

All in all, I think the color black draws our eyes to a piece of jewelry the way no other color does.