Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Beading with Cabochons

For me, cabochons create the basis for each of my custom jewelry designs.  The fun part is selecting which cabochons to use, which pair well together and create the desired look you want.  What I love about working with cabochons is that you can work with gemstones, crystals, art glass, clay and pretty much anything that doesn't have a hole!  I've used seashells, bottle caps, rocks (from the first walk as husband & wife).  Because of how I create my custom designed jewelry, I can work most any object into a design.

In the past, I've used cabochons to create detailed, magnificent cuffs and earrings.  I'll share a few photos of some of my favorite works in a little bit.  But for this challenge, I was inspired by the colors of fall.  The weather in Lake Geneva, WI where I live is turning a bit nippy.  While the leaves aren't changing yet, give it two weeks and they will be.

Apple & pumpkin season are in full bloom.  We're getting excited about having a fire in the fireplace.  Football is on all weekend long - and yes, I'm one of those women that love football!  Go Badgers!  So for this challenge, I chose a pair of jasper cabochons that showcase a beautiful palette of burgundy and gold.  I used the natural veining in the jasper cabochons and the natural coloring as the foundation for the design.

Now if you ask any college aficionado (or more specifically my hilarious, football-loving brother) I designed these earrings inspired by Florida State University - the college of Deion Sanders, one of his idols. Or if you ask my mom, surely I chose this elegant, luxurious color palette in honor of her beloved San Francisco 49er's.  Either way, everybody is happy and that makes me smile!

I have to thank Sally Russick who organized an incredible group of artisans that are all working with cabochons for this challenge.  Some have never used cabochons, others are old pros. Either way, please take a moment to visit Sally's blog where you'll be able to connect with all the participants!


And for further inspiration, here are some of my favorite designs I've created with cabochons!  Many were custom orders and received with squeals of happiness and joy as the women opened their boxes.  If you live in or around the San Diego area, I'd like to invite you to an event I'm participating in October 10-12th as my VIP guest!  Linda P. Jones' Be Wealthy & Smart Intensive is going to be an incredible event.  If you're looking for a sound plan to create the income and type of lifestyle you want to live, then touch base with me about this event.  It'll be at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, and I can tell you having been there last year, it's an amazing experience!

Let's connect on Facebook!
Have a terrific day!
{Hugs!}
Dawn




And of course... the necklace inspired by my small town, Lake Geneva Wisconsin... With cabochons, the design possibilities are infinite! ♥



33 comments:

AntiquityTravelers said...

WOW .... that is some amazing work! your bezels are quite something!! and also just gotta put out there ... go Niners!

Libellula Jewelry™ said...

Your jasper earrings are gorgeous but so are *all* the additional pieces that you included. Your work is amazing!

Niky Sayers said...

Wow! Your earrings are beautiful and so neat, as are the rest of your pieces. You have a great eye for colour!

Tracy said...

Such beautiful earrings...you have a great sense of colour and design and you've set off the jasper cabs brilliantly. I've also been admiring the other designs on your blog...you've found a new follower!

Mary K. McGraw said...

Your work is beautiful. Love your new fall earrings. They would be a hit here in Northwest Florida!

H.T. said...

Beautiful art pieces.The earrings are stunning!
Greetings-Halinka-

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

Beautiful! Really love your choice of colors - bet those look fantastic when worn!

Michelle said...

The colors you chose for your bezels are a beautiful complement to the color of your cabs. Stunning!

Cathie Carroll said...

Your work is amazing. I'm humbled.

lynsey said...

Clearly you are an expert, what beautiful creations. Love those earrings

Toltec Jewels for Jewel School Friends said...

I adore your earrings -- in fact, I saw them in our linky-linkz & went right here! Rich warm colorway, exquisite beadwork. I've learned so much just looking at your expert work!

Beautiful!! Thanks for including your cab tour for inspiration too. I did the same in my post :)

Happy Hopping,
Rita

SueBeads said...

Your work is amazing! I love those earrings, and those other earrings you showed, as well!

Anonymous said...

Love that you also shared your inspirations on some of your work. Absolutely in awe of your bead work and ability to select just the right colors for each cab. My favorites are the very first pair of earrings with the jasper. Love.

Lynda

Anonymous said...

Beautiful earrings. I love the burgundy with gold. Of course all of the other pieces are amazing!

Jenny said...

Mind blown.

I was a peyote bezel novice going into this hop. Wow. Your cuffs are like collages - disparate elements in a unified composition. Lovely!

Jo-Ann said...

Your earrings are elegant no matter what the inspiration. The rest of you work is beautiful!

Islandgirl said...

I saw some lovely pieces scrolling through yourblog.. the aqua and brown bracelt really ticked all the boxes... my beading does not get to the level of a matched set of anything!

Chrissy said...

DANG...I love ALL of your pieces... Those earrings are just gorgeous! You have been working hard... Very very nice!

Ann Schroeder said...

Your earrings are gorgeous! It was fun to see some of your other work too. Really impressive! I get a warm fuzzy every time you mention Lake Geneva. I grew up in Kenosha and spent many fun days in Lake Geneva over the years.

Cheryl said...

Beautiful earrings!

Karin G said...

Beautiful earrings, all your beadwork is fabulous.

Paula, Chief Bead Officer said...

You are definitely a cabochon and a beading pro. Amazing, inspiring designs. I love the earrings and lean more toward fall themes than 49-ers (not that I have something against the 49-ers)! Absolutely gorgeous!

Bits of Learning said...

Dawn, you know that I think that your beadwork is INCREDIBLE and that I can just sit and scroll through the pictures all day long. Your precise bead embroidery and attention to every detail always makes your jewelry truly AMAZING!!! I am so thrilled to have you as a participate for this hop, Thank You!!

Empty nester at last said...

Amazing! I so love the colors....MY SON is a Seminoles fan...and those are his colors...lol. Beautiful work. This is the direction I want to go with my beading...clean, classy, upbeat. You are awe inspiring. Thanks for sharing!

BahamaDawn said...

WOW! WOW! WOW!!! your bead work is amazing! I love the color and the pieces! beautiful work!

Becky Pancake said...

Dawn your bead embroidery is outstanding.

Sharyl said...

Such perfectly done earrings! Thanks for sharing more of your pieces in photos too! This clearly was not your first cabochon! :-)

Therese's Treasures said...

Hi Dawn,
Your earrings are gorgeous as are all of your other creations. I am a big fan of your work.
Therese

Holly said...

Oh. goodness. What amazing earrings these are, no matter which team you follow! (and for me, it'd be my high school colors you've chosen - the Golden Hurricanes of New Britain, CT...)

Unknown said...

Well it seems this was the perfect hop for you. I'm amazed by your work. If I create one piece of this caliber in my lifetime I'll feel accomplished.

TJewellicious by tanti said...

wowww...great work..! all pieces are gorgeous..! I loveee them all... :)

lamplight crafts said...

Your beadwork is astounding. I love each piece you showcased for this hop. Just beautiful. I really like the earrings in the first pic and how you beaded them to match the colors of the stone.

baymoondesign said...

Dawn-I made my first cabochons for this blog so I am totally blown away by yours. I love the earrings! I love to make earrings and I think I could tackle a pair for my next project. You have inspired me. Your work is beautiful!

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