All the pieces were finished now, and I just had to decide how everything would be assembled.  First, the pieces needed to be edged with 11/0 seed beads and the tear drops.  Then I decided on using oval shaped gold vermeil jump rings and a gold vermeil chain to put them together.

Here are some more process photos, and finishing pictures are here.

The Lady of Shalott

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I’ve made a little progress with my new bead embroidered necklace.  The Tennyson poem that tells the story of the cursed Lady of Shalott says that she was doomed to look at the world only in the reflections of her looking glass, and then to weave what she saw into tapestries.

The Lady of Shalott

I’ve included some small mirrors (shisha) to represent her looking glass which have been embroidered into place.  I’m attempting to hint at her tapestries through the sinuous lines that are echoed over and over in related colors.  I’m planning for most of the piece to be done in deep teal.

More process photos

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The focal flower on the top of the piece is styled after a hibiscus, modified slightly (but only slightly!) from the excellent instructions given by Kerrie Slade in the April 2009 issue of Bead&Button Magazine.

For my general instructions on bead embroidery, please check Bead Embroidery Techniques.

Step by step instructions for RuthAnn’s Garden:

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I’ve started a new handmade beaded necklace, inspired by one of my favorite women, The Lady of Shalott.  She was immortalized in a poem by Tennyson (the 1842 version), loosely based upon the Arthurian legend of Elaine of Astolat.  I’ll be sharing more images of it with you as it progresses.

Image: Cyndi Lavin

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

An easy way to create a quick pendant necklace is to find a gorgeous fused glass cabochon or bead (these beads are from Jeanne Kent at New Terra Artifacts) and add some simple bead embroidery around it. But who can stop with just one?

I added seed bead bails done in square stitch to the backs of these beads, and they are all set to hang on a rubber or cord necklace, alone or as a set!

Step by step instructions

Materials & Tools

6 inch square piece of ultrasuede or non-woven synthetic material
Nymo O, black
3 fused glass top-drilled beads, 25×15 mm
Seed beads, 11/0: peacock iris, cobalt ab, silver-lined red violet
Seed beads, 15/0: hex cut champagne
8 Swarovski 4mm bicones in amethyst 2xab
Fabric glue
Scissors
Beading needles, size 13

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Bead Journal Project for 2008 – 2009 is officially finished!  We’ll be starting up again for our third year in January 2010. I’ll make sure I post about it when I have more news…it would be fabulous to have more folks join in!

Each month, I chose a fragment of scripture from one of the Psalms and used a heart shape to create a little 4 x 4 inch beaded piece that illustrates the feeling of that verse for me.   Here is my piece for August:

Psalm 63:8
My soul follows hard after Thee

Here are all of the completed sets: Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer

My previous pieces for the Bead Journal Project
Information about the Bead Journal Project
Bead Journal Project blog

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This wonderful bead embroidered pendent was made by Marcie Abney for the Art Bead Scene’s summer challenge!
http://labellajoya.blogspot.com/

Marcie writes:
I think my favorite thing that I have created this summer is this bead embroidered pendant that I call Sea Scallops. It was created in response to the Art Bead Scene Challenge, and it also ended up being featured on the blog as the design of the week! The center was created using a glass and clay cabochon from Kristie Roeder at Artisan Clay and the scallops on the edge were inspired by the waves of the inspiration painting. I love wearing it, it really makes a statement, and I think it’s a good example of how seed beaders can incorporate the work of other artists into their work.

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Check out this amazing owl made by InaRae!
http://bcreativeu.blogspot.com/

InaRae writes:
My favorite so far. I’ve nearly finished a similar but much brighter project, a Phoenix.

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Andromeda’s Pearls (shown below) was the gold medal winner in the pearls category for 2008.  And there it is on page 454, less than half way through this bohemoth of a catalog!  You can also see it on the Fire Mountain Gems website or on my own website, Wildest Dreams Designs.

FMG is spreading out their contests this year, and handling different media throughout the year instead of all at once in the spring.  More chances to enter and to win!  I will be posting about each call for entries as it approaches.

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