Because of my cold I cooked a lot of spicy things over the holiday as things were tasting bland otherwise. Grinding up spices in my pestle and mortar really got me in the mood for my latest bead embroidered piece. Indeed, gathering the materials felt more like putting together a recipe and my desk is now covered with beads and threads in all the colours of a spice seller in the souk! I’ve started off with the central cabochon and I’ve made a wired armature, covered with thread in which the cabochon nestles. This armature will be encrusted with beads so the cabochon will be held very securely. The technique is the same one I used on my ‘Atlantis’ necklace but this one is is more freeform in shape and style. The photo below shows 'Spice Trail' in the very early stages, laid out with some of the beads I'm thinking of putting into it. I'll be including some hints of peacock in amongst the hot orange, to make the colour scheme 'pop' and pick up the colours of the cab.
So a happy afternoon of stitching ahead, with the wind blowing a gale and the rain lashing outside. Never mind – plenty of lovely nibbles in and some wine ready and waiting to welcome in 2014.
Happy new year!