Wire Wrapped Paper Bead Tube Necklace
There’s so much inspiration around us that can be interpreted in a jewelry design. Something, someone can spark your interest and gets you motivated. My home is full of stuff collected over the years; books, magazines, fabric, yarn, boxes…..anything that I think I can use someday. Once in a while I try to organize and clean up or I could end up on that television show. But, this is where I get my inspiration. I may not need that piece of ribbon or box now but I can assure you I will find use for it someday. One of my source of inspiration is my collection of old books. I have a book which I “thrifted” few years ago, 400 Outstanding Women of the World and Costumulogy of Their Time by Minna M. Schmidt. The stories of these women are just fascinating and inspiring.
On the first page of the book you will see Pocahontas and it tells you a brief story about her and it even has her picture on it !
Every one of these women featured in this book has an image of her. The story they tell is fascinating and awe-inspiring. You will find on page 190 Barbara Uttman (1514-1575) of Germany. She founded the lace industry in her community. It was told that at her wedding she presented her groom a set of cuffs of Cluny lace that she made. She taught lace making and provided jobs to ten thousand lace workers both men and women. Barbara Uttman’s motto still lives among her countrymen, “Great Thoughts Come From The Heart.”
In Honor of her, I made this necklace out of paper bead tubes and paper clay. I love working with paper clay, it air dries overnight and lightweight just like the paper beads. All I did was copy her image and set it on the paper clay with diamond glaze.
I then applied gold leaf on the sides to give it that antiquey look.
Here’s a video on how to wire wrapped paper bead tubes. Instead, of using bead caps I wire wrapped the top part and bottom part of the paper beads to cover the holes.
Lovely pendant! I’m surprised that you linked “Cluny Lace” to a company that makes Leavers machine lace. The Cluny lace that Barbara Uttman would have made was probably bobbin lace with cloth-stitch trails and woven leaf tallies. Here is an example that I made a few years ago: http://www.flickr.com/photos/spindexr/3903453236/in/set-72157602383907703/
Hi Avital,
Your work is beautiful! I visited your blog and saw the laces that you tatted, I think they would be nice as pendant they look so delicate. I would love to learn tatting where can I find instructions? You’re right about the link, I know Ms. Uttman would frown on the idea that we now have machines for making lace and at the same time proud that she started the lace industry in Germany and gave jobs to men and women alike. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work.
Paper crafts are extremely popular for some time now. Most children start out doing paper crafts in school. The professors usually start the child out with quite simple paper crafting tasks. This usually involves giving the kid several color choices and also several shapes of construction paper to work with. Many professors typically give the kid many tips to begin with, but every kid is actually encouraged to show their creativity on their crafting paper project.This type of arts and crafts can also be very stimulating for parents. Many, utilize the paper crafting material for accessories, by putting all of them in a surprise container or utilizing all of them as gift wrap. While others utilize them for an American preferred pastime known as scrap booking.
I am very interested in the paper clay idea to go with the paper beads. Do you have any tutorial links for making paper clay? I love this necklace.
I too am addicted to paper. I have made jewelry for many years and about a year ago discovered the world of paper crafts. I’ve been making greeting cards and scrapbooking but now I can combine both of my favorite crafts together. I also started quilling.. quilled pendants would really compliment the beaded necklaces.
Jennifer