Blue Ridge Bead Weaving

These 4mm cubes are Toho beads. I was playing around with these beautiful cubes and came up with this interesting design. The diamond-shaped petals were woven separately and then woven together. I started in the middle of each petal with a ladder stitch at the widest part of the diamond. Then on each side of the ladder stitch I use a brick stitch to weave down and up to the points of the diamond. The flower/star pendant can be worn as a broach or used on the necklace. The center of the flower/star is a pinch bead button which I learned to make from Leslie Fraiser at Beadfest in Charleston last summer (2006). I have used a combination of the cube, the small matching round bead, and a pinch bead in the earrings. The sterling silver clasp complements the this angular design.

I have been fascinated with cabochons and how they can be used in beading projects for several years. I ordered a copy of Jamie Cloud Eakin's book Beading with Cabochons a year ago and only recently tried my hand at using her directions for beading around a cabochon. Here are two I have completed:

This colorful long necklace was designed by Carol Perrenound and featured in Bead and Button last year called "Out for a Spin." The small, transparent, of lentil beads have a hole near the edge. Using a traditional spiral weave and alternating the five colors, a striking necklace is created. Carol told me that this design has been very popular, and she has had to order additional beads (www.beadcats.com). In my latest communication with her, she has named this necklace "Autumn," and she now has different colors of beads for "Winter," "Spring," and "Summer."