Blue Ridge Bead Weaving

Mauve Star Cluster Necklace/Pendant/Broach

This woven star cluster (2 5/8 inches) is made of mauve satin Czech Glass beads, 8mm and 4mm, Aiko Toho (TB-556, Mauve Galvanized), and bronze fire-polished 6mm beads. This pendant may be detached and used as a broach. The 19 inch necklace is woven using a four-bead spiral Ndebele stitch with Aiko Toho (TB-556 , Mauve Galvanized and TB-703, Mauve Matte). The clasp is decorative sterling silver and attached to the Ndebele strand using bronze fire-polished 6mm beads. The broach/pendant was inspired by Lisa Norris’ design in the October/November 2003 issue of Beadwork, p. 75.

Loomed Cranberry Pendant with Three Black Beads

This pendant follows a Don Pierce design: “Beads in Space” on pp. 14-15, of Designs for Beading on a Loom. The interesting part of weaving this on the loom is that in order to leave the hole in the pendant for the three round beads, I had to take off the warp threads where the hole begins and weave the two sides of the hole separately. When I wanted to close the hole, I had to string warp threads over the hole and begin weaving the top part of the pendant in one piece. The woven pendant is folded over at the top to create a sleeve on the back, through which a necklace or choker can be attached. Aiko Toho beads were used to make this pendant using different shades of cranberry. Three glass black beads have been attached. The pendant is 6¾ inches long and 1½ inches wide at the widest point.

Rhombus Cube Necklace

This necklace and earrings were made of 3mm Miyuki Cubes in Matte Metallic Patina Iris. The 3mm cubes were woven together into 5x5 diamond shapes. Then six diamond shapes were woven together to create the central pendant. The 24 inch necklace was constructed by stringing 6mm bronze fire-polished beads alternating with the 5x5 diamond shapes, ending with a decorative gold colored clasp. Each earring was made using one 5x5 diamond shape. The idea for this design came from an article in the 2003 February/March issue of Beadwork by Sally Morgan.

A former Japanese student and dear friend, Fujiko Fujibe, introduced me to the Ainu culture of ancient Japan. I was fascinated with the kimonos of this ancient Ainu culture. The above is a small tapestry which I designed and wove but inspired by some of the designs on Ainu kimonos.