Friday 25 July 2014

chenille stitch bracelet

First of all - have you entered my giveaway?  If not, click on the link or scroll down to the next post.

Last weekend saw another new class at The Bead Shop Nottingham.  It was a bead weaving class and was, as always, very enjoyable.  This is Chenille stitch.



It's a stitch I'd heard of, but had no idea how to do.  Well now I know!  We used Swarovski 4mm pearls and size 8 seed beads.  The first decision was colour, this time, I was stumped!


I'd gone to the class not knowing what the finished bracelet would look like, so I'd had in my head to make something red as I lack red bracelets.  I saw immediately that red wouldn't work.  There weren't any red pearls so I'd have had to use white, cream or silver and I wanted something more toning.



In the end I chose a very dark purple pearl and hematite seed beads.  I like the combination and I love this stitch, I want to do more of it.  It took a while to get my tension right.  At first my bracelet would squidge if I pressed it, after about 4 inches my tension firmed up and the bracelet is actually like a rigid tube as the thread is so tight.  Steph advised me to carry on, and then just undo the loose end when I'd finished.  After stitching enough that the bracelet minus the squidgy bit was about the right size, I squeezed the tube to try and find where I needed to undo to, and the whole thing snapped off in my hand!  It was like a lizard losing it's tale (I imagine... I've never pulled a lizard's tail off).  I had to undo a bit more so I could make a neat end to the bracelet.    


This was my first time using a magnetic clasp and I love it.  Not only is it very easy to put on and take off, I sit and play with it.  Must get some.  

Now, is there any improvement in my jewellery photos here?  The reason I ask is that this arrived...


This is my new pop up lightbox.  I tried with the clear back ground, but you could see through it (duh!) and took the photos on the white background.  There is also a black included.  I took some from the front, like this above.



And some through that hole in the top.  It's still not great with my tablet as it doesn't have a macro lens, I really need to sort my camera out and find out what's wrong with it!


As chenille stitch was new to me, I'm linking up to Something New for 2014



Celtic Thistle Stitches

9 comments:

Joy said...

It's a beautiful bracelet Wendy, sorry to hear of the hiccup in the proceedings but you did come up champion in the finish: well done! I like the look of your pop-up light box and haven't seen one like that before? Happy weekend to you and yours, xoJoy

Rachel said...

The lightbox certainly allows you to concentrate on the item you are photographing, and with something as reflective as beads, it is a good idea to eliminate possible confusing sources of reflection.

Chrissie said...

Never tried the stitch, but I like the way it comes out, its always hard getting tension at the beginning, may be its the way to go, take off at the end. xcx

Sandra :) said...

Gorgeous bracelet, and I'm ever so glad to hear you've never pulled the tail off of a lizard - I've been worrying about that :D

margaret said...

a very pretty bracelet

Jane said...

Lovely bracelet, and love the light box. Have fun with it

Sarah in Stitches said...

The bracelet looks amazing! Great job :D

Jo Ferguson said...

That light box is really cool. I've never seen anything like it. I've never seen anything like the bracelet either, it's beautiful.

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

The bracelet is gorgeous. I've been thinking of getting a pop-up box like that too. the one I've seen is on Amazon and comes with a selection of backdrop colours. Do you think it makes a difference?