Starry Night…making a cigar box handbag
August 12, 2008 by Cyndi Lavin
Filed under Bead Embroidery, Beading, Fiber & Beads, Mixed Media, Technique Tuesday, Tutorials & Techniques, Wearable Art, Wire
Technique Tuesday!
My inspiration picture
My friend Dee recently asked me about cigar box purses, so I thought I’d dig this one out! Starry Night started out as an old cardboard cigar box. I considered several different techniques for creating beaded pictures on it before I settled on my old favorite method, but with a new twist: the beads are embroidered directly on the box, using wire and a couching technique.
Materials and tools:
Black gesso
Black acrylic paint
Foam paint brushes
Awl or nail
24 gauge silver-colored wire
Wire cutters
Chain nosed pliers
Lightweight paper (like tracing paper) and pen (optional)
Beads in appropriate colors and sizes for your design
18 gauge silver wire
Interfacing or quilt batting to line the box
Fabric for the lining
Glue
Starry Night is one of my favorite paintings. Your design has wonderfully captured the beauty of Starry Night and transformed it to functional piece of art! What a great idea!
Thank you, Cathy! I love this painting too…it is endlessly fascinating for some reason
I am stunned…what a creation! My thanks for the tute on how to do the process. Now, what beads will I use? And what colors? You’ve given me a real project to consider. Thanks, Jeanne
Please please please share what you make with us!
That bag is so cool! I am just picturing all the compliments I would get if it were swinging on my arm!!
Thank you so much, Cindy!
That is the prettiest Cigar box purse I’ve ever seen! REally spectacular!
Barbe, thank you! I love using it
Good job nice insperation
Thank you