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Friday, November 19, 2010

Haute Couture Beading Contest Entry

This picture of Gwen Stefani on the cover of Harper's Bazaar magazine has been hanging on my inspiration wall for about 3 years. So when I saw it was one of the dresses in Good Quill Hunting's Second Annual Haute Couture Beading Contest...I knew I wanted to participate.


This was my very first beaded necklace.


Up until now, I've just made a few bracelets designed by others so I felt a bit intimidated in trying to construct a piece of wearable art primarily from seed beads.

I knew I wanted the piece to ruffle.


Originally, my mind wanted to make many ruffles made up of seed beads, but when my first attempt on a loom took me all day, with only two inches of ruffle to show for it, I knew that wasn't feasible.

I ended up using an idea I saw on the cover of Mastering Beadwork by Carol Huber Cypher whereby you create a ruffle by adding larger beads to successive rows of herringbone stitch...Eureka!


I started out with much tinier beads (the base is 1.5mm silver squares and the first 8 rows are 15 degree seed beads and charlottes). I added rose montees in some of the central rows to give the piece some luster and some interest -- I wanted the overall piece to shine like Gwen Stefani on that cover...


As you know, if you've been reading along, the rows took a very long time. The piece is 20" long and I almost used up an entire spool of nymo thread while stringing it.

But the length is perfect and looks really great when I put it on. It sits below my collar bone and looks more beautiful than in these pictures. Maybe I'll try to take a picture of myself in the mirror so you could see it on...


The centerpiece/clasp is constructed from a selvedge fabric edge and ruffled using a method from my ribbonwork workshop with Candace Kling.

I then added a rhinestone buckle with vintage enameled flowers in the center and attached them to some Lacy's Stiff Stuff that I had painted a beautiful turquoise. After adding a few dangles, my "clasp" was finished by sewing on hooks and weaving eyes into the edge of the collar.


Phew~! I'm really delighted with it and I'm glad to have met the deadline which is midnight tonight. You can see all of the other entries here -- there should be a final listing in the next day or so. And you might also want to check out Christina's blog, Good Quill Hunting and see her work on her website.

One thing I like about this contest is that I don't have to send my piece anywhere, I just had to submit pictures. That way I can keep my piece right here with me to wear to the grocery store...

This will be my last post for a while. I'm taking a little blogging break over the Thanksgiving Holiday. I'll be back on the 29th.

And thanks for all the great books that were mentioned in the comments of yesterday's post. There are a lot of wonderful recommendations...I have quite a wonderful list next time I go to the library.

Until next time...

52 comments:

  1. You did it!!! I knew you would create a masterpiece! Wear it everywhere and tell everyone you made it!
    Debbie

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  2. Your necklace is absolutely beautiful! I can't believe it is your first necklace. Great job!!! Connie

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  3. What a stunningly beautiful piece you've created. I love it. You are so talented.

    FlowerLady

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  4. Absolutely stunning, well done you.
    Good luck it's certainly a prize winning peice.

    Arlene

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  5. Anonymous4:36 PM

    It totally shines - it would look so perfect with that dress on the cover - you did it!!! :0) whoop whoop

    It is beautiful.

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  6. Beautiful !!!I knew when I saw the beads and the picture of the dress that it would turn out great! Hope you win in the contest.
    I would love to know how you weaved all those beads together like that though.

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  7. You'd surely get my vote! It's absolutely fabulous, Susan. Now you need to write down the pattern! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  8. hababba..
    bebbbeba..
    opppoppa..
    ok I'm at a loss for words,
    It's gorgeous!
    absolutely stunning and they will be a first class fool, if they don't give you first prize!
    great work I am yet again in awe of your talent!

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  9. Susan... it's absolutely perfect... truly stunning... as always, you are an inspiration!

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  10. Oh it is gorgeous! Just gorgeous Dahling!! A piece to be proud of. Hope to see you wearing it next April!! :)

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  11. Before you go on Blog-vacation, be sure to pop over to my Blog to enter my first ever Giveaway!

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  12. Fabulous. It's a really beautiful re-imagining in beads of your inspiration photograph!

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  13. It is absolutely breath taking and so appropriate for that gown... I can't understand the process even when you explain it...Such a clever girl... Enjoy your holiday break and give all those nieces lots of special hugs...AND wear that necklace to the grocery store, the laundromat, the filling station and even when you take out the trash... Dazzle just everyone...

    Ger

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  14. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  15. Your necklace is certainly a masterpiece! Congratulations on creating such a beautiful work of art! Hugs, Cathy

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  16. Yay you!! How could you ever have worried that you wouldn't measure up. Your design is a wonderful representation of the dress..and man! isn't it something that YOUR inspiration was one of the designs to be inspired by. I LOVE that. Very,,,DOdoDOOdoDO...Twilight Zone.

    It gorgeous. I would definitely wear it to the store!!

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  17. Susan its beauitful. I love the way you incorporated the ribbon work with of course rinestones or are those diamonds?? Happy Thanksgiving

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  18. This is gorgeous! I think you have captured the style and colour of the dress with the waves of beads and the fabric flower. I can't believe this is the first necklace you've made! It's stunning!Wow!

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  19. Stunningly beautiful! I can only imagine the hours you spent beading. When you are out and about at the laundry mat, grocery store etc... please stop by my house so I can see it in person.... I love it!

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  20. It is so lovely! And your commitment is just extraordinary, very inspiring!
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving..

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  21. It's spectacular! You must be thrilled!

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  22. I'm not at all surprised to see you have created this beautiful masterpiece.

    Best wishes with the competition.

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  23. Simply gorgeous. Your selvage fabric edge actually looks like ribbon. Fingers crossed.

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  24. I am blown away by this beautiful creation - this is simply stunning- I would lay down and die to be able to create something so lovely! Amazing - simply amazing~~

    vicki

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  25. WOW, you are so clever! it is gorgeous.

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  26. Wow!Your first beaded necklace?That's amazing!I love it. :)

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  27. Sheila10:48 AM

    Oh Susan!

    Jumping in and doing this has paid off dividends! I ditto the other comment that said it's breathtaking.
    Beautiful work. I love how the necklace has picked up the colors and the layered feeling of the ruffles on Gwen's dress and the random sparkly beads hint at the way silk shines in the light. It's a fantastic interpretation. I'm happy for you, and hope you are feeling extra proud of yourself for this latest exploration. :)

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  28. Anonymous12:35 PM

    Amazing, just amazing! All my favorite colors, bling, sparkle, shine, and grace. Love your work. As said by others, you are an inspiration to all. Thanks so much for sharing. Suzie in Idaho

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  29. Thank you for telling me about this is was such a pleasure to see people interpretations in their beading. Yours turned out lovely and I have voted so fingers crossed and good luck to you!
    Analisa

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  30. It is beautiful Susan. It's hard to believe that it is your first beaded necklace.
    Best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving.

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  31. Oh
    My
    God!!!

    Susan, it's absolutely GORGEOUS!!!
    Words do NOT do it Justice!

    Gwen *wishes* she had that stunning necklace on when that beautiful pic was taken!

    But she DOESN'T!
    It's YOURS!!!

    (and we're all jealous. [pout])

    The pix are Great! Thanks for sharing, and
    The Best of Luck to You!!! (Though, i don't think you'll need luck 'cause you have Mad Skills. Seriously!)
    =-)

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  32. I knew if anyone could do it it would be you. Absolutely gorgeous. Hope we have a winner here. If not you have lots of people out here who certainly think you are #1.

    Also bring it to Florida and wear it with your bathing suit. Weather sounds perfect for all next week. Have a great time. I really like the Keys from top to bottom.

    Son & wife arriving tomorrow until Friday.

    Hugs

    FredaB

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  33. Your necklace is exquisite. I can definitely see the inspiration dress in your piece. Absolutely beautiful. Happy creating...

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  34. Your necklace is drop dead gorgeous!! I'd love the pattern if you ever decide to share/sell it!

    Just beautiful!!!!

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  35. Yaaay.... You did it!
    One fancy stop at the grocery store that must be.

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  36. Well done and very beautiful! :)

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  37. Anonymous7:36 AM

    Extraordinaire!!!
    Regards
    Françoise

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  38. It's gorgeous! You did an amazing job for your first necklace.

    I would be so pleased if I were you! I could call this first contest entry and total success.

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  39. Your necklace is divine.

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  40. How wonderful! Love the layers of color and that gentle ruffle to the piece. The enameled pin at the center is a perfect accent! I so admire your ability to enter a contest like this and come up with something so fabulous!

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  41. Oh! I love the serendipity that you had this on your inspiration board waiting for the opportune moment.

    I think you have capture the essense of Gwen's gown in your necklace and I LOVE it!

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  42. Susan !! This piece is stunningly gorgeous. You did a fabulous job and the ruffling is glorious!! i love working witht he ruffles but I do it mostly with Peyote Stitch! You should be extremely proud of yourself!! The clasp is fabulous and the vintage enamel flowers are the perfect green!! So very cleaver of you!!

    I hope that you ahve awonderful Thanksgiving with that fabulous family of yours!! Big Grateful hugs to you my friend!! I am so thankful for our wonderful friendship and I am committed to amking serious plans to meet up in DC in the new year!!
    Best!
    Elizabeth

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  43. Fantabulous!! This piece is incredible - you did it girlfriend!!

    Yes, you must try and take a picture of yourself wearing it - if not, I'm sure your husband or son could help - not with the modeling of course, but with the picture!

    Thanks as always for sharing your beautiful things. Wishing you the happiest of Thanksgivings!

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  44. Absolutely beautiful. What a great idea. You can be very happy that you finished it on time. Hope you do well.

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  45. Your necklace is simply gorgeous !
    Congratulation for this work

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  46. It's beautiful, and ingeniously designed! I love the color combination of avocado green and aqua. I'm sure it complements your eye color as well.

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  47. Absolutely Geee-Orge-Eee-Us!

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  48. Anonymous1:07 PM

    Truly fabulicious!!!
    You have created a wonderful piece. You Rock!

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  49. Oh, Susan. How beautiful!

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Have a wonder-filled life!