This time it is one of the ATTS (A Time To Stitch) - can't believe Therese and Christine have arrived at number 7 already. The ATTS 7 is all about bead embroidery.
As you know, seed beading is not my forte (or my favourite medium), however, I love trying it every now and then. I have been pleasantly surprised in the past by the ATTS challenges, in the sense that I enjoyed them immensely.
I approached this challenge with the same attitude: I'll enjoy myself... I chose one of Marie's cabs, from the Bead Peeps challenge, the oval black and glittery one:
But that's where my luck fled me and went somewhere else :)
I tried to use some of the seed beads Marie sent, along with some I had. The issue? I don't use small size beads, I mostly have #6 and #8. For this type of embroidery I need #11, #13, and #15 to make it work. I had some #11, and some incredibly teeny-tiny #15, however not of the same type of bead... they would not work together. This is the first attempt:
OK... back to the drawing wall. Now what? A trip to the LBS... which left me a few dollars poorer, and in no better shape. Why? Our LBS (which has pretty much everything) doesn't have different size seed beads in the same type! I found either #11 and #15 in Toho or some #10 Czech or a #13 Czech... but no three sizes in the same type. I got the Toho and #13 Czech, came home happy... and, to my complete dismay I discovered the #13 are so in diameter. But the height of the bead is almost nonexistent. And for the peyote bezel it's the actual height that matters.
I was sitting at the desk quite lost. Then I remembered I didn't visit Sally's post for the CC7A, so I did that. Aha! Sally's piece for the May CC7A had an interesting beading. I decided that's what I will try, and using just the #11 I proceeded to try to implement it.
My piece is far (very, very far) from being perfect - but it has some embroidery around it after all :)
The back was the funniest part to do, and it's also very far from perfect, but it holds itself.
The most interesting part? The bezel itself is done with a white thread. For some unknown reasons, I changed to black for the back, and the transparency of the dark purple beads had picked that up: can you see the subtle difference between the side and the back? I won't lie to you, that's the part I like best and I'll try to remember you can have some interesting effects just by changing the thread!
I started to make a rope for it, using the gold border (the #15s)... and that's how far I got... the seed beads are too tiny for me to ever manage to finish that, I am sorry to admit it. I get some points for trying, hopefully :)
If someone has an idea on how to use the purple #11s in a nice rope, with the gold #15s as accents (very rare accents!), please let me know. If I finish the rope, I can finish the necklace and be happy :) (I am such a simple creature, finishing a piece can make me very happy!)
This was my adventure in seed beads land ~ while not very successful in results, I consider it very successful in the learning experience. That's what matters most in my eyes.
Please make sure you visit the rest of the group, I assure you they're more accomplished than my attempt. I know that before visiting anybody else, trust me!
Alicia <- you are here
Your pendant is beautiful and you definitely did a great job with those seed beads! You could try a spiral rope with the purple beads as the core and the 15s as the spiral. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI think this is going great!!! I love your choice for the cab - and the complementing seed beads you selected! Keep it up and soon seed beads will be your friend! :)
ReplyDeleteHi! your colour choice really sets off the cabochon. I would panick about making a whole neck strap out of 15s too. It would take a loooong time! They are so tiny aren't they! I think it looks lovely and if you don't want to spend ages working with 15s maybe wear it on a cord until you decide what you want to do? I think it's very pretty :-)
ReplyDeleteAlicia ~ your cab is wonderful! You kept the design simple (though there is nothing simple about the process, is there?!?) to let the cab shine! Your gold rope is a great idea, but if seed bead weaving isn't your passion, it is a L O N G process! Keep it simple and just string those little beads. That is all that is really needed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of this!
Hi Alicia,
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job the cab and seed beads you chose are a beautiful combination. I agree with Christine just string the seed beads I would do groups of three 11s and six 15s for some interest. Thank you for stepping out of your comfort zone one more time to participate in ATTS 7 and I hope you join us again for ATTS 8.
Therese
what do you mean not successful? that is gorgeous! I love how you captured your cab and beaded around the back. And I'm with Christine and Therese ... just do a pretty stringing pattern, perhaps with a few strands if you need it more substantial with the size of the cab. It is a lovely piece Alicia! and purple :)
ReplyDeleteYou stepped up to the challenge, and you didn't let those tiny beads beat you! You gave your cab a beautiful home, and did a lot of learning along the way. I appreciate your sharing the journey, with all its twists and turns and changes of direction, so that we could appreciate the final product even more. Can't wait to see your next voyage with seed beads!
ReplyDeleteI think you did great with the challenge, your choice of cabochon and your beadwork is great.
ReplyDeleteGood on you, you did a great job and the cab is very pretty. The pendant would look lovely on a chain if you really don't want to finish the rope, it looks great so far though!
ReplyDeleteGreat lesson on thread color for us all! I've not seen the beaded back before. It looks difficult, but I like the look. LovE the colors. .. keep on. .. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat lesson on thread color for us all! I've not seen the beaded back before. It looks difficult, but I like the look. LovE the colors. .. keep on. .. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Alicia, Your comments are so genuine and sweet. We all started at the beginning and I think your cabs looks pretty darn great for the supply challenges you described. You are so right that the type of beads and thread can make such a huge difference. Also, when I first started bead embroidery, I had an easier time gluing the cab to a card stock or interface fabric if you have that and then just beading around it. That approach is a little more forgiving with beads from different places. Those 15 seed beads are sure small, aren't they? I agree with Kepi that the pendant would look great on a chain, which would pick up the shiny bits that wink out. Great job!
ReplyDeleteWell, I love it and you taught this seed beader something too. I love the thread color tip. I too think any piece that taught you a lesson is a success. This is a beautiful victory for you. Wonder why we are all so hard on ourselves with this technique?
ReplyDeleteExcellent piece. I love the colors you used and never thought of doing the back with beads...have to think about that the next time. Thanks for sharing with us
ReplyDeleteI love the cabs you choose for this project. The colors are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will be able to finish your pendant soon.
There is nothing easy about working with those little tiny glass lumps. I say BRAVO! You made a successful foray into an unknown land and came away with a treasure. I hope you feel proud of yourself, because you should! The stone and the bezel are great and I really hope you try it again :- )
ReplyDeleteHi Alicia, kudos to you for trying something that is not your forte. Your pendant is lovely. Good job. I try to use these challenges to learn something also.
ReplyDeleteHi Alicia, Your pendant is beautiful. Kudos to you for working with seed beads when they are not something you are comfortable with. Since you do such lovely wirework I would suggest making the straps out of something that you are comfortable with. Possibly one of your chains or wire links.
ReplyDeleteI think it turned out beautifully! I think I'd probably try a herringbone rope with your leftover beads for the necklace; herringbone goes very quickly, and you could use the gold as an accent in one spine. Great job!
ReplyDelete