JuliannaMucci
Fine Art Jewelry and Lampwork Beads
Unique Barrettes beaded on leather
List of Supplies:
Scrap leather/ultrasuede (2 pieces)
Barrette Finding
Adhesive (E6000 works great!)
Sturdy beading needles - a quilter's pull aides to pull the needle through (see round object in pic)
Threading material (sample shows Fireline 8 lb test)
Seed Beads (at least 2 sizes..I used 11s and 15s)
Scissors
Cabochons
STEP ONE:
(see above picture, cabs are glued in place)
Lightly glue Cabochons to leather (you will secure them in place with beads in a later step).
I began by gluing the center cab first and beading around it before gluing the side cabs. This way I was able to learn how to judge what distance is required between cabs for even coverage as I beaded the cabs securely in place.
STEP TWO:
Secure your center cab in place by cinching it with beads.
Thread your needle, tie a secure knot that will not fit through your leather, and come up through the bottom to the side of your cab.
String enough beads to fit loosely all the way around your cab.(AN EVEN # IS RECOMMENDED) Take your needle through the first 3 beads you add, then go back down through the leather. Skip over 3 beads (on the bottom side, you'll learn to judge distance needed after a few tries), come back up through the leather exactly between 2 beads, LOOP OVER the thread connecting between the 2 beads. Then go back down through your leather.
Repeat this step all the way around until you return to starting point.
At this point you are ready to begin your cinching steps. Do peyote stitching all the way around your cab with the same size seed you used in the beginning row.
SEE PICTURES BELOW, TOP VIEW AND SIDE VIEW
Once you have added the second row of 11s, add a third row with the 15s. Your last (4th) row will also be with 15s.
Tension is important in these rows as you are creating the encasing that will secure the cab to the leather.
Pull tight, you will notice your beadwork begin to tighten and close in around the cab.
STEP THREE:
Repeat Step 2 for all cabochons.
Sample picture below:
The next picture is how the back of your leather will look once your cabs are in place. Notice the open circular area beneath each cab....this is where the glue will later be placed to attach your barrette back. It is important to be sure glue does NOT touch your stitching, as it can become brittle over time and pop the thread in half.
STEP FOUR:
Trim the excess leather from around your stitching, taking care not to cut too close or clip your threads.
Now is a good time to trim your second piece of leather. Trace the outline of your beaded piece onto the BACK side of the leather you will add to finish. It will come out slightly larger but will have to fit over the barrette back, so a little larger is what you want to compensate.
STEP FIVE:
Separate the 2 halves of your barrette finding, and glue the back half to your leather...again, taking care not to let glue touch your stitching. I also tack down the barrette back on both sides where the hole is with thread for added security.
STEP SIX:
Cut out a rectangle on both sides of your backing piece of leather large enough for the barrette finding clasp sections to fit through.
Then glue your backing leather to your beaded piece. A light tacking down just to hold it in place is all you need, you will secure the 2 sides together with the edging stitch.
STEP SEVEN:
Edge the entire barrette with beads to secure the sides together and finish! There are several ways to do this, but the one I like best is also the simplest! Come out of your leather with your needle just shy of the end on the bottom side, add 5 seed beads, loop over the edge and go down through the top, coming out at the bottom. Basically you have just made a circle with your needle and thread, so that the 5 beads are looped over the edge.
LAST STEP!
Re-attach your barrette finding back side...and Voila!
