9/18/13

Creating with Cabochons Reveal

We are in for a real treat today - the reveal of Sally Russick's Creating with Cabochons Challenge. I, for one, can't wait to hop around to see what everyone was inspired to create!

I love the tribal trend, and when I pulled out a rounded Ammonite and triangular Dinosaur Bone jasper from my stash of cabs, they immediately suggested a pendant in the shape of a shield. A few hours browsing the internet for ancient weaponry and I had my design!

I let the reds and gray-browns of the jasper dictate the quiet, earthy color palette. These are not colors I normally design with, so I was happy to see a flash of iridescent blue-green in the Ammonite - my design now had some depth and an accent color that can always be found on my bead table.

I captured the large jasper with a Bead-Across bezel, a technique I discovered in Jamie Cloud Eakin's Dimensional Bead Embroidery. Larger beads are added at points around the base row, and then smaller beads are strung through them to secure the component. An intriguing touch of engineering and an interesting alternative for irregular shapes, it was the perfect decorative element for my shield-themed pendant.


The neckstrap combines firepolish beads from the pendant with lustrous labradorite rounds and rectangles. The deep ruby rondelles are faceted dyed jade.

Many thanks to our hostess, Sally Russick, for inspiring us with this challenge. I had forgotten how much fun bead embroidery can be and I learned some new bezeling, edging, and construction techniques. And I'm sure I am going to learn much, much, more as I visit the blogs of all today's participants. I hope you can join me!

Your Host: Sally Russick
 


 
Cheryl McCloud            
 
          
 
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19 comments:

  1. Karin GSeptember 18, 2013 at 6:10 AM

    This is a gorgeous piece!

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  2. H.T.September 18, 2013 at 6:32 AM

    Hi:
    Very unique,modern form.Real art piece.Natural,'Earth' colors.I like it very much.
    Greetings-Halinka-

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  3. Patti VanderbloemenSeptember 18, 2013 at 8:31 AM

    I am in love with all jasper - my favorite! This is a really cool shield! Your surrounding beads really pull out the beautiful colors and lines of the jasper. I commend you on your homework/research!

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  4. Christine AltmillerSeptember 18, 2013 at 1:13 PM

    Karin~this is so original and very tribal and just gorgeous! The colors, design, every detail. Just gorgeous.

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  5. Paula, Chief Bead OfficerSeptember 18, 2013 at 2:59 PM

    Love your creation! I have an ammonite and couldn't decide what to do with it - and you integrated yours perfectly. Like the nod to Jamie's book. Did you know she has a new one coming out? Just love her work AND yours. Also really like the beads you chose for the strap - a perfect way to show off your amazing cab work!

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  6. MichelleSeptember 18, 2013 at 3:22 PM

    This is a beautiful necklace. I can tell so much work went into the making of this!

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  7. AntiquityTravelersSeptember 18, 2013 at 6:52 PM

    what a gorgeous design! I absolutely love it's earthy, tribal feel. Really beautiful piece

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  8. SueBeadsSeptember 18, 2013 at 7:48 PM

    Wow, Karin, obviously you would come up with something amazing but it's incredible! I love the tribal feel as well, and the planning that went into this piece is so obvious!

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  9. Jo-AnnSeptember 18, 2013 at 10:53 PM

    Wow, what an incredible design! Love the earth tones!

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  10. Ann SchroederSeptember 18, 2013 at 11:40 PM

    I love your tribal shield. That Bead-Across bezel is perfect.

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  11. Libellula Jewelry™September 19, 2013 at 8:56 PM

    Your design is so unique and I really like the delta-shaped Bead-Across bezel that you used to capture your jasper cab.

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  12. ChrissySeptember 20, 2013 at 12:04 AM

    At first glance, I thought it was a goddess. It is beautiful...I love the shape, the colors and how you made the jasper mold right into the design and it draws your eye right into its center.

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  13. Therese's TreasuresSeptember 20, 2013 at 2:41 PM

    Hi Karin,
    Beautiful piece of work it really does have a tribal look to it. You always do such beautiful work.
    Therese

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  14. TracySeptember 20, 2013 at 5:49 PM

    You clearly put a lot of thought into this design and have executed it perfectly. I love the tribal theme and the colour palette you have chosen.

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  15. UnknownSeptember 21, 2013 at 12:57 AM

    Wow that is a gorgeous piece. The color and size variations in your bead choices make it even more so.

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  16. Becky PancakeSeptember 21, 2013 at 2:48 AM

    Your necklace is a real show stopper. Isn't Jamie's book great? I recommend it any time someone mentions bead embroidery. I have her new book pre-ordered.

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  17. LizSeptember 22, 2013 at 2:31 PM

    Creative, inspiring, really great. I love your choice of materials and your vision. You brought everything together in keeping with the spirit of the shield imagery. Perfect.

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  18. lamplight craftsSeptember 23, 2013 at 10:54 PM

    Wonderful statement piece, and I like the tribal aspect in the beading.

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  19. Bits of LearningSeptember 25, 2013 at 9:15 AM

    Karin, there is always a problem when I come to comment on your blog! The problem is that I find myself scroll through your posts and I get lost in all of your beautiful jewelry and then end up way passed the post I should be commenting on, lost in your lovely creations! So, finally I've got my wits about me and first would like to THANK YOU for participating in the challenge and Second, OH MY GOD! I love your bead work!!! The cabochons are GORGEOUS!!!!

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