Artistry

By Judy Stinton

Closures

Form a closure at the back. Sew a decorative button or bead on one end and create a thread loop covered with yarn buttonhole stitches on the opposite end (5). Another closure option is to attach grosgrain ribbon to the ends. Ties are nice since they allow the necklace to be lengthened and shortened as desired.

Embellishing

Now the fun begins! Gather together beads, buttons, old coins, earring orphans, shells, Guatemalan "worry dolls," shisha mirrors, tiny tassels--anything interesting for embellishment. Establish a focal point with one interesting item. Insert long pins through beads and place them around the edge of the coiled necklace center to check the placement before sewing.

Using a single Silamide thread, attach each embellishment, knotting the thread before and after, and sewing it to the cord at least three times. You can change your mind about the placement of something--the knotting keeps the other embellishments secure when you remove an item. To determine if more or fewer embellishments are needed, stand back from the necklace and squint--the overall composition will become clearer; adjust if necessary.

Try this wrapping and embellishing technique to cover headbands and barrettes. It can also be used to make brooches, shoe trim, earrings and so much more!

Judy Stinton is a retired home economics teacher with a B.S. degree and postgraduate work in clothing and textiles. Currently, she is producing hand-painted silk wear and fiber-based jewelry at the Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA.

Sources

Arizona Bead Company has a wide variety of beads; (480) 491-4472, www.arizonabeadcompany.com.

Beadwrangler carries Silamide thread, beads and other supplies; (888) 235-0375, (813) 269-9257 or visit www.7echoes.com.

TWE/Beads also carries Silamide thread, beads and other supplies; TWE/Beads, Dept. SN, Box 55, Hamburg, NJ 07419-0055, (973) 209-1517 or visit www.twebeads.com.