This month I’m playing along with Art Elements Component of the Month challenge. The super talented Lindsay Starr, created these innovative leather cabochons. To learn how she made these, you can read about her process here. The cabochon I received is the second from the left, in the top photo.
This was an interesting challenge for me, because I’m not a seed beader, so I couldn’t create a beaded bezel. Upon further reflection, I realized that I could use some techniques that I learned in a pine needle basketry course that I took about a year ago.
As you can see, the center of my basket is a stone cabochon. My idea was to use Lindsay’s leather cab in a similar manner, but only weave two rows of pine needles around it and then use it as a brooch or pendant. I glued a sturdy fabric to the back of the cab and prepared my pine needles.
Using dark green Irish waxed linen, I added the two rows of pine needles. In the photo below, the second row is close to being finished. I laid the cab on our glass coffee table and started playing with some different possible embellishments. When I found a combination I liked, I trimmed the remaining pine needles to a tapered point and wove them in.
I used Fire Line to add the flowers and leaves. I haven’t added any findings yet, as I haven’t decided if this should be a brooch or a pendant. What do you think?
I’d position the cab sideways, as above, for a brooch. If I were to make it into a pendant, I’d position it vertically.
A big thank you to Lindsay for sharing the leather cabochons with us. I also want to thank each of you for visiting my blog. Now hop on over to the all the other participants and see all the fantastic things that everyone has created.
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I am always delighted to read your comments! Hope to hear from you.
Linda's Bead Blog & Meanderings 