This year at Bead Fest I was hanging out with Melinda Orr and Linda Younkman and as we were going through some of Melinda's rather large stash (she needs wheels to carry it around by the way) ... she pulled out some leather. What she had done was to take a piece of leather, cut strips within it, and then harden the leather with water so that it stood as a cuff (you can see it on my bead table below left). How cool is that? I couldn't get over how great this was and my mind instantly was designing what I'd do with this piece. Melinda is always game to see what people can make with her leather, and said to take it home and play. Well you don't have to tell me that more than once!
I started to work in some freeform peyote --- weaving it in and around the strips of leather. These are 15s (aka ... REALLY small for freeform) but who says I'm not up for a challenge. Even if I realized part way through I was nuts to do it in this size. I just didn't want it to take away from the leather.I decided to stay with just one color, which I think gives this just a bit more drama ... and doesn't distract as much from the leather itself. I added a great stone in the middle that I beaded around. Which, I have no idea what it is? Anyone who knows - please do tell!
This felt like it had a whole Medieval thing going on, so I decided the button should look like an old shield. It does feel like a cuff when you wear it as it holds it's shape. What fun to play and bead with friends, and to try new things!
What a stunning piece Cynthia, I love the earthiness of it!
ReplyDeleteIt's an amazing piece I love the design!
ReplyDeleteI think the clasp is a perfect fit to the design and def feel the medieval tone. This was such a hard piece to envision designing around...It's amazing that you creativity just ran with it! Well done :)
ReplyDeleteSuper awesome. I love everything about it the leather, the closure, the focal the bead work!!!! What a fantastic piece. You did Melinda's fantastic leatherwork proud my friend. LOVE< LOVE
ReplyDeleteWow these are beautiful and so much fun. I love the random styles. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteAwesome piece, Cynthia! Your stone looks like jasper... maybe snakeskin? I'd love to know too :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun eclectic piece!
ReplyDeleteI believe that your true purpose in life is to rally to the challenge-any challenge! This is totally awesome - 15s!! Love this!
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to see this piece in person and my mouth dropped wide and I was speechless ~ edgy, organic, au natural, AWESOME!!! I still think so. Melinda is brilliant with how she made this! Love it!!!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love that bracelet Cynthia! It's so unique and beautiful! I don't know how you think of such incredible designs but you are so very talented!
ReplyDeleteI really like what you have done, absolutely stunning.
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous! I've done free form on lot's of different substrates but never on leather strips! I love it!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing piece! Earthy, sexy, more like a work of art than a bracelet. The 15's were perfect, as was your choice of stone and closure. I hope you make more using leather, it seems to be completely natural for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Cynthia,
ReplyDeleteGorgeous piece I love it! Kudos to you and Melinda, to you for using 15's and sticking with it and to Melinda for an awesome idea for a leather cuff. The stone is a Jasper it could be Owyhee or Snakeskin not really sure.
Therese
Absolutely amazing!!!! I had no idea you could harden leather with water. Then the beadwork added is so unique! That jasper stone is very different.
ReplyDeleteOh, oh, OH! This is fantastic! I've done similar things with wire armatures, but had no idea leather could be stiffened to do the same thing. You have outdone yourself with this one, my dear.
ReplyDeleteAmazing bracelet!!!! very creative!!
ReplyDeleteHave a good week, dear friend!!!:))
Besos, desde España, Marcela♥
Absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSo cool! So beautiful! I love it!!! Not sure about the stone?
ReplyDeleteMagic design! Absolutely love it - love the mixed mediums you have combined to create such beautiful textures.
ReplyDeleteThat is so amazing!!what a great technique, I absolutely love your bracelet!
ReplyDeleteThis baby stopped me in my tracks! Its absolutely gorgeous! I see its been years since original post, but I actually think your stone could be dinosaur bone so i thought I'd let you know!
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