Winter Formal Bling Bling

My husband and I haven't attended one of his work holiday parties in about 6 years.  This year we decided to go and of course, I had to make earrings to go with my dress.

I picked out this pretty teal dress with black velvet burnout from The Limited.  I could have made some quick and easy beaded earrings but I thought I'd practice my bead embroidery.

The plan was to use some of my porcelain cabochons but I wasn't happy with how they came out.  I used a pair of onyx cabs instead.  I made the earrings over the course of week, spending about an hour each night adding a row at a time.

The seed beads are a mix of aqua, teal, purple, black and green hues.  I used black Nymo thread for everything and black ultrasuede on the back.  The earwires are niobium (so friendly on my sensitive lobes) and made by Marti Brown.

I'm really pleased with how they turned out!  I finally feel like I have a good grasp on backstitch and am ready to move on and try some more advanced techniques.

Are you attending any holiday parties?  If so, what jewelry did you make for them?

Happy Beading!

Diana P.
Suburban Girl Studio LLC

Exploring Bead Embroidery

A few years ago I dabbled in bead embroidery...for about 5 seconds.  I think I started two projects but never completed either of them.  A few weeks prior to Bead Fest, the bead embroidery bug bit me again.  This time I see in a new light, as a way to embellish my own ceramic work.

If you are interested in beginning bead embroidery, I highly recommend Beading with Cabochons by Jamie Cloud Eakin.

Also check out Beadaholique's website for lots of wonderful video tutorials.  I keep their website open and this book next to me while I work.

I've made about three pieces so far, two of which I've finished.  The first became a gift for my mother-in-law, the second, I messed up the edge and the third I completed on Saturday evening...

I started by gluing one of my own stoneware cabochons to some Lacey's Stiff Stuff (available here).  Once the glue dried, I started adding my rows using a simple backstitch.  I do this while watching tv because it's pretty mindless and relaxing.

After I completed the large cabochon, I realized I wanted to push myself a bit more.  I embroidered a small stoneware cabochon and used the direct attachment method to connect it to the larger piece.  I then added a ladder-stitch bail (I used two needles-go me!) and had a finished piece!

There are some tension issues here and there but I know that I'll get better as I make more pieces.  Bead embroidery is addictive and I've already started on my next project!

Happy Beading!

Diana P.
Suburban Girl Studio LLC