Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime is hosting yet another creative challenge - Creating with Cabochons. Any medium.
I have admired the fantastic bead weaving techniques of so many talented designers. Sally was most kind and provided several video tutorials on bezel setting a cabochon...with my arch enemy...seed beads. I have not finished this technique yet, as it apparently requires one to have excellent vision, which even with bifocals, magnifying glasses, and 4 ott-lights pointed directly at my work...do not. However, after several broken needles, lots of choice words, and breaks between each seed bead row, here is where I stand so far:
I WILL finish this and post a pic when
I did manage to complete a few more cabochons, using some silver sheet. This cab is a beautiful Peacock Mine Turquoise.
The next cabochon is a Labradorite - small, but beautiful colors in this stone.
A couple of months ago, I purchased some heavy, 8 gauge silver to make bracelet bangles. I had a couple of inches left over - not enough for a bracelet - and played around, added a couple of tiny Lapis Lazuli cabochons, and make the funkiest ring...I have ever had on my hand!
This was probably the hardest project (not including the beaded bezel of course)! 8 gauge silver, wrapped around a ring mandrel, requires annealing after each bang of the hammer!
(Note to self - apply hand lotion and get a manicure before you use the macro setting while taking a picture of your own hand..ugh).
My last project is my favorite. I purchased a most lovely set of lampwork beads and coordinating lampwork cabochon from Sheila Davis (Stone Designs by Shiela on Etsy). The bicone lampwork beads are quite large...and oh so pretty!
Of course I made a bracelet, and earrings, too.
Thank you so much for pushing me - yet again - Sally! Your hops always challenge me!
Now - let's see what everyone else has made!!! Thank you for stopping by!
Sally Russick - Our lovely hostess!
Patti Vanderbloemen - That's me!
Jasvanti Patel
