Wednesday 22 January 2014

spiral rope

Morning ladies, completely forgot to write a post for today so I'm sneaking one in now!  I've been working on my crewel embroidery and last weekend was about secret sewing, so I've very little to show you.  I'm afraid it's beadweaving again.  I know these posts aren't popular, but it's important to me to keep a record of what I've made and I do love this craft, so you'll just have to put up with it!  Actually you don't, you can just skip the post...  



I made this necklace from a pattern in the book The Beadworker's Guild Introduction to Beadwork - Bracelets.  It's not a very inspiring looking book, a bit old-fashioned, but the information and instructions for all the stitches are really good.  I made this with size 11 seed beads.  I don't know where they came from and I don't know what brand they are but they were all different shapes and sizes, which is fine by me.  



The beads in the middle are silver, they're a little difficult to make out.   It didn't take me long at all to make this.


The pattern was for a bracelet, but of course you can just keep going to make a beaded rope.  I made a toggle clasp (my first ever!) using instructions in Seed Bead Stitching by Beth Stone.  I honestly do not remember getting this book.  I found it on my bookshelf whilst I was looking for something else and I love it!  If you fancy a go at beadweaving, I'd highly recommend this book.


I made the loop a tad big.  I wore the necklace this week and it did fall off once, though I noticed as it was hanging of my boob!  The rope doesn't have much weight to it to keep tension on the clasp, so next time I'll make a smaller loop.  

10 comments:

margaret said...

I so admire beadworkers, far too delicate and fiddly for my big hands, this is a real beuty

Ellie Foster said...

Dear Wendy
This looks really pretty and delicate - I love the colours!
Best wishes
Ellie

JoJo said...

that is just fabulous! The toggle is brilliant! I NEVER get tired of your beadweaving posts so please keep doing them!!! I struggle with seed beading and I greatly admire those that can do it well like you. I have hanks and hanks of size 11 Czech seed beads that have gone unused for almost 20 years.

Sarah in Stitches said...

Beautiful work!

Sandra :) said...

I've never seen a beaded toggle clasp before - that's quite cool! I wonder - can you make it a bit smaller (without ripping it all apart) by just tying off a couple of beads at the end, with a tiny piece of wire (or even fishing line)?

Kerryp77 said...

Hi wendy, the necklace is lovely. I like your bead weaving projects as I can't do it but it fascinates me

Chrissie said...

Lovely necklace, I love doing the spiral quite relaxing, great clasp too

Mindy said...

Beautiful pattern and colors! Nice work!

Maya Kuzman said...

Love the pattern - it makes the necklace exquisite!

Jane said...

Love the toggle closure too