3/13/12

Crazy for CRAW

I am totally hooked on cubic right angle weave! It’s a mesmerizing stitch that results in beadwork that has great structure and at the same time is amazingly soft and fluid.

When I was asked by an area bead store if I had an interest in teaching a beadweaving course,  I immediately thought of CRAW because it can be a difficult stitch to learn from written instructions.  Here are a few pieces I stitched up as class samples.

These lampwork beads with their bold expression of color were meant for a rope woven in size 8 seed beads and finished with a Vintaj clasp and chain. The rope is embellished with size 11's, with 2.5mm crystals surrounding the lampwork beads.

 This lighter, softer version in size 11’s features a dichroic glass focal framed with vintage Czech glass and drop beads. I  finished this necklace with a toggle of tubular RAW, which is a first cousin of CRAW.

This fun and fabulous finishing touch is from Rachel Nelson-Smith’s Bead Riffs.


The lampwork beads and dichroic glass were a recent find on a trip to South Carolina to meet up with my sisters-in-law for a yoga retreat. I stopped in to visit Lesley at YaYa Beads in Augusta. I love Lesley’s blog, Sweet Freedom Designs, where her posts always inspire, entertain or educate (oftentimes all three in a single post!) Her store is home to an amazing collection of artfully purveyed beads, findings and pendants. Oh, and her fabulous finished pieces, which I could have ogled for hours! And a store dog! I spent such a fun hour at YaYa, and brought home a small bag chock full of inspiration. Now, if I can just finish up this kitchen remodel so I can dig into the rest of those beads!

7 comments:

  1. These both look fantastic, and I especially love the blue one - that dichroic glass pendant is perfect, and the colors just sing! Good luck with your class, and come back and see us!

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  2. Hi:-)
    Both necklaces are very nice.Thanks to Your work I am also starting to fall in love with CRAW.I have got some ideas,but so far have had no time to make the project.
    The second necklace is very elegant.
    Warm Greetings-Halinka-

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  3. I am loving CRAW too - just recently learned how to do this stitch and it makes the best necklace for pendants and large beads - your work is great.

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  4. These are beautiful! They're a great nudge to me to get going with learning CRAW. Your classes will be packed if these are the lure!

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  5. Wow, that a really cool pieces. LOOOOOVE the second one!

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  6. Both pieces are beautiful, but I really like the second one the most. The pendant is gorgeous.
    Therese

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