This is my latest completed project. I call it the gryphon necklace after the image on the antique metal button which I have used as the central focal piece.
This started off as a kit I purchased from Laura McCabe a couple of years ago, when she came out to teach in Australia. I really liked the chain, but wasn't keen on the focal, which was a set of dangles. So the kit sat in a drawer for ages, while I did other things.
Anyway, a while ago, I was going through my beading drawers, looking at all my bits and pieces to see if inspiration would strike, and it did! It occurred to me that the chain would look really good with the antique button, and all I needed to do was design a pendant that would match with the chain. I made the necklace first, as I needed to know how many beads I would have to use on the pendant. My challenge was to use as many parts of the kit as possible, including the various pearls and bits and pieces that Laura had included to use in the dangles. I decided that I could add to the kit contents, but only with left-over beads from other LM kits. That made the challenge both harder and easier ... harder in that it really limited my choices, but easier in that a couple of the projects I had done from LM kits were in roughly similar colour-ways, so I had quite a few beads that toned with the ones from this kit. It was also hard in that the colours were not ones that I would normally use together. I really wouldn't have thought dark purple, mustard gold and raspberry would work together!
So, the only original part of this project is the pendant, but I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. It was very difficult getting the bead embroidery to be even on both sides, because I was working from the outside in. There's no doubt it's easier to start in the middle and work outwards.
It's worth noting that I was very careful to not alter or damage the antique button. I built up behind it with stiffened felt to protect the shank and prevent it from sticking out at the back. While it makes the pendant a bit thick in the middle, it means that the value of the button should not be affected. I think you should be careful when using antique pieces in your work, and only alter them if it's absolutely necessary, or if they have no intrinsic value.
I still haven't gotten any further with my big steampunk piece. I wish some inspiration would strike with that project, because I would really like to finish it. I should aim to get it done in time to exhibit in the Bead Expo I suppose. The last week or so I have gone mad for the bracelet by Cynthia Rutledge that was featured in BeadWork magazine a couple of months ago. I have already completed two versions of it, and have no doubt I'll do a few more. It's actually an easy project to do while watching telly - with most of my beading I need to sit at the table and really concentrate. I'll post some pictures when I've finished another one.
