Wednesday is Sally's hop for cabochons, and I do have another one to show you. But today I thought I'd show you the one I started way back last Spring. I was visiting with my friend Christine from One Kiss Creation and I asked if she'd explain how to bezel around a stone so I could leave the back open. I had this agate that I really wanted to leave open so the light could come through and show off how gorgeous the stone center is. So she helped me understand how to decrease with bead sizes; cinching up the pattern.
The tricky part with this stone is that it is thin and flat and I kept having the entire edging slip off the stone. Sigh. Grumble, grumble (this is a PG-rated blog, I'll leave the actual words out). I decided that I'd add just slight bracing across the stone and found that the entire bezel tightened up immediately. The other thing that I've been playing with lately is freeform, and I have to say that it has really relaxed me about bead work. And helped me understand that it is more important how the beads come together than pretty much anything else!
This piece came together so nicely; I was really pleased in the end. A week ago a friend of mine was over at the house and saw this and immediately put it on claiming "it was going home with her." And it did. I have to say it did really look wonderful on her.
Beautiful color of that agate! I love the bezel you did and can see why your friend claimed it for herself!
ReplyDeleteI envy you - I would love to steal Christine for some classes!! Your necklace turned out fabulous - love that color stone! The only thing I was able to finish (beading-wise)was beading around the cab - I still have to finish the bail, and I don't know exactly when that will happen! Bead weaving is incredibly difficult on my eyes - I don't know how "you people" manage to do what you do - I am in awe!
ReplyDeleteDarn, I must visit you some time if I can leave with beauties like this! Love it (and no, I have *not* finished my piece yet for Sally's hop... sigh... grumble, grumble) :)
ReplyDeleteLovely colored stone! I can see why you wanted to leave the back open. Yep, bezeling can be tricky. As you mentioned decreasing bead sizes, plus tight tension seem to be the key - I think about 15 fingers would help, too :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post on going home, coming together, and relaxing into beadwork! Beautiful cabochon pendant, too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post on going home, coming together, and relaxing into beadwork! Beautiful cabochon pendant, too!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beauty~the colors and the openness of it~it is like a stained glass window! Freeform makes everything work :-D I need to follow your lead and embrace it more often. Cynthia, I can see why your friend took it home...who wouldn't want this?!? Beauty and a bit edgy...awesome!
ReplyDeleteHi Cynthia,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful job on the bezel, Christine is a good teacher. That Agate cab is gorgeous! I do not blame your friend at all for claiming that one. Looking forward to seeing what you did for Sally's challenge.
Therese
Hello,Cynthia:
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Stone,Beautiful Bezel,beautiful Colors,Beautiful Blog-Post:-))
Warm Greets-Halinka-
Stunningly beautiful!Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful stone! Great idea to bezel around the outside so the back was open and bright! Looks great!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work. Great information.
ReplyDeleteLovely piece :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow - just gorgeous. I can see why your friend wanted it!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis piece is stunning!
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful. I love the bail you worked in. Christine is a great teacher. I am sure you friend will cherish this for years to come!
ReplyDeleteThis is totally gorgeous too!
ReplyDeleteYou started with such a beautiful stone and really built a striking piece around it! The colors of both the agate and the beads for the bezel are so complementary and are some of my favorites! Your design seems so original too. Lovely piece, all around!
ReplyDeleteGreat work!!!:)))
ReplyDelete