Thursday, November 7, 2013

Rolling Blog Hop :: Vintage Wooden Spools

Christine is hosting a 'rolling' blog hop. And she means that in more ways than one! The participants are revealing their spool projects one by one through the month of November. I am the sixth blogger to show you my reveal. We've already seen beautiful pieces from Janet, Hope, Tanya, Maryanne and Bobbie (click the links at the end of the post to see their creations). 

I started with sanding off the paper labels of my spools, then staining them with furniture stain. If you're interesting in giving this a try just remember that it will dry somewhat tacky to the feel. Just grab a cloth and buff it as a finishing touch.

I've been wanting to try beadwork that literally 'rolled' around an object; much like the kind of work you'd see in tribal Native American ceremonial pieces. The only problem with that is once I really dug in to explore how you stitch something like this I realized that you really need to sew it into a hide or fabric. The stitch is typically called a gourd stitch, sometimes Comanche brick, or even Native American Church (the origin of peyote stitch). The stitch is typically at a slant and beaded around a solid object like a fan handle, drum stick or gourd rattle. 

Ok, well I don't give up that easily. I knew I could still give this a go. I decided peyote was going to work. I have been wanting to do a chevron pattern, and I was so excited when my stitches lined up exactly to the pattern count! Wow! That never happens for me. Serendipity indeed. 

Now for a little research on the meaning behind the chevron pattern. I was expecting it to be Egyptian (yeah, I've seen Stargate one too many times). I found that the word itself is French, 'huh, who knew?' It means rafter, or the supporting beam running along the ridge of the roof. The visual signifies a roof-peak on a house, and means protection. It does go back to the Middle Ages where knights would put the symbol on their shields to protect them in battle. I'll have to call this piece "The Protector."

For my second spool I just let the beads flow like a continuing story. I wanted to go for a subtle tone, on tone look. I used irregular, off-white seed beads and a new bead I just discovered (thank you Janet!) from Jimenas Treasures. They are fiber beads around copper coils, and are heavier than they look. They were the perfect add to this necklace with every element in a clean, simple coil pattern. I do actually have one more spool to show you, but this post is long enough for today! Stop back by next week and I'll show you my third piece.

Christine is one of the first people I remember meeting on my bloggy journey. The first blog hop I ever joined was for the 7000 Bracelets for Hope that she was co-hosting. I somehow managed to figure out how to pre-schedule my post while away on vacation. Anyone who knows the two of us knows what a ridiculous conversation it was for Christine and I to have any sort of advance technology discussion! However when it comes to beading we seem to be so in sync that I think it surprises even us. While I've only known her for 2 short years, I feel like we've been friends forever. I doubt seriously that I could summarize our friendship in one paragraph, but that is the beauty of it. I know that there is a long story still unwritten ahead of us. Yes, a continuing story that comes together thread, by thread. Thank you my friend for creating such an adventurous blog hop! I totally enjoyed this one!

Our host: Christine (Christine's post), and all the rest of the rolling bloggers: Janet (Janet's post), Cynthia (that's me), Kim (Kim's post), Therese (Therese's post), Tanya (Tanya's post), Bobbie (Bobbie's post), Liz (Liz's post), Maryanne (Maryanne's post), Karin (Karin's post), Lisa (Lisa's post), Hope (Hope's post) and Erin (Erin's post)

19 comments:

  1. I am misty and laughing at the same time. Thank you for your kind words, friendship, and bringing back our shaky first conversations re: pre-scheduling. LMAO.
    These spools are so beautiful, tribal, and You! I love the fringe, the colors, the chevron meaning (French?! mais oui), and the names you gave these necklaces. They radiate such strength~The Protector and the Continuing Story.
    THANK YOU for your constant support and for being a part of this Hop...I knew you would ;-)

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  2. Your spools are spectacular, Cynthia! I love the tribal look of them. Your research on the word chevron was really interesting. Thanks for including it. This has been the best blog hop. Christine is certainly a kind and generous person. Anyway, I love your necklaces!

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  3. I like the stain you used for the spools and I love the chevron design. That's really cool about it coming from rafters...that actually makes a lot of sense.

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  4. Girl, did you hear me squealing? Seriously love what you did with the spools. Your clean, creative design not only showcased the spools, but is such a beautiful statement to the seed beads as well. You rock!!!!

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  5. Hello,Cynthia:
    I think,the task was not easy to make in the satisfactory way and I'd certainly have problems with it,but You have made it incredibly nice.Your spools are really decorative and You are a very Creative Person as well.
    I wouldn't expect the wooden spools to be so pretty looking as the pendants.
    Warm Greetings
    -Halinka-

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  6. How come every time I come to your blog you amaze me once again? I don't know how you think of these great ideas and I really don't know how you execute them but I do know they are all fabulous!

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  7. Your bead work around both pieces is so beautiful! I love the fringe accents. So chevron is french? Now I want to pronounce it differently! It is so awesome how you have Christine have developed a strong friendship that started with blogging. :)

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  8. Amazing...right down to staining the spool! So clever! Please don't make me pick a favorite - allright, the Chevron! Love, love, love it! I especially enjoyed today's history lesson!

    I first met Christine from the 7000 Bracelets for Hope Hop as well! Such a sweet and talented lady! I am so grateful for the friendships I have forged through blogging (and FB, as well)!

    You done good! :)

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  9. Hi Cynthia,
    I love your spool designs they are so very pretty. The Chevron pattern is perfect. I always enjoy the lessons you share on your blog, whether it is a word origin or a place. I think the ivory colored one is beautiful. The beading on both are wonderfully done. You and Christine do click in more ways then one.
    Therese

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  10. They are both gorgeous. I so enjoy fringe and yours is sensational. Great post. I can't wait to see what the third one looks like!

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  11. Wow Cynthia! I love them both, what a great idea to sand and stain those spools. The beading is beautiful. -And thank you for all the interesting background information ;)

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  12. Oh, the staining of the wood gives it such depth!! Now you've got me considering altering the color of my last one too. Beyond that, both of your designs have left me rather speechless. They're lovely! I especially like that second one. The texture of the beads gives it such interest and really draws the eye. Sigh, you've created some super special pieces!

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  13. Beautiful tribal design! Thank you for the history lesson too (and yeah, Stargate -- o James Spader... :)

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  14. Cynthia, I know when I see a new post from you I am going to be taken on a journey into new territory! I just love how you selected such earthy, evocative colors and wove so much texture and history into these designs.

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  15. I love these both! They are stunning!

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  16. Cynthia- these are so great. I was thinking of doing that with the spools at first, but wasn't sure how to get my needle down in there when it got tight. No one would even know these were spools which I think is a positive thing. They look like you created them just for your pieces. Awesome. Love the fiber beads with that necklace, too - a little nod to the spool, but just looks great with the whole spinning thing!

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  17. Fabulous!! I like them both equally! I just love the history and interesting information you put in your blog posts - makes it very unique!

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  18. Those are both fabulous! Staining them is a great touch!

    I love the fringe and the chevron and the fiber beads and the beaded bail -- pretty much everything about them. :)

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  19. These are both gorgeous pieces, Cynthia! I love the beaded fringe and the soft, neutral colors. Beautiful!

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