Please feel free to contact me, anytime, for questions or comments.
I'll probably be working in my studio!!
erin@simonetti.com
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"French Country Cockerals"
Loomed using 1.8 mm Glass Cubes, in muted tones of Blue, Maroon, Green and creams, this cuff lends itself to a 'French Country' feel.
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It was only after I finished looming this cuff, and edging with 3 mm Glass Cubes and 3 mm Swarovski Pearls did I realize how perfect a clasp of 'Cockerals' would look. Using 25 mm Clear Glass Rectangular Glass Cabs I attached pictures I thought would convey the theme and colors. Both Picture Cabs were bead bezeled. The 'stops' of bead tubes on scrolls, on each out side end, were to allow the Cabs to stand away from the loomed cubes, while being worn.
These two pictures double as the clasp, for this cuff.
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"Fat Santa Loomed Cuff"
I created this pattern to include a bit of whimsy! Not only can you see how Fat Santa is, by his shirt pulling apart at the buttons, but I included some hand woven beaded holly garland.
The upper portion of the clasp chain, has two custom made lampwork beads. The other half of the clasp, had two bead woven charms, A Christmas Tree and Rudolph.
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"Tangled Tree Lights, loomed cuff"
This cuff was graphed to use 1.8 mm glass cubes. I am trying to create a mosaic feel, but include a fun design, Tangled Christmas Tree Lights.
The adjustable clasp chain has small tree bulbs and a bronze electric plug attached.
Using 15/0 Matt finish Green Japanese Glass Seed Beads, I replicated the look of the green electrical cord. This long tangled line of 15/0 green beads, were attached on top of the loomed cubes.
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Italian Mosaic Pattern, with a Glazed Finish
Using matte finish 11/o glass seed beads, I loomed a design I created to mimic the look of an 'Italian Mosaic Tile'. To give this an old world feel, I glazed the loomed beads with a black water based glaze.
The edging is completed with matte metallic Japanese round glass beads, in size 8mm. This offered a look of the grout or concrete edge surrounding most mosaics or tiling.
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Glazing Process
After the glaze was applied, it was buffed off until my desired effect. The final stage was to seal the glaze so it won't rub off while wearing.
I look forward to creating more pieces using this method.
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"Who-Me Deer?" Cuff
I recently designed a pattern, for a cuff that would be perfect for the season! In the same mode, I also had some cool ways of completing a cuff, that I wanted to work out.
This cuff is adjustable and completed with copper findings. The chains have dangles of 'snow globe' lamp work beads with other matches stones, wrapped at the opposite end.
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This is a close up of the clasps, on each end.
This is another means of finishing off or managing the warps.
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Above is a montage of stages I completed, for edging this cuff. The larger edge was created with 'copper barrel beads'. To keep them from flopping apart, while wearing, I strung a strand of 11/0 copper beads inside of them. The bead on top is a 'turn bead' so I could align the barrels perfectly, running my thread in a row of looming then back out the same row of looming.
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NSW Rugby Team Cuff!
I loved this commission request! A favorite Fan of the 'New South Wales' Rugby Team, in Australia, requested a 'game cuff'. I did some research and found their mascot to be, of all things, a Cockroach!
To add to the sport feel, of this Delica beaded cuff, I incorporated two slide clasps and a focal with their team logo. The picture of the logo was secured under a glass cab, bead bezeled, then attached to the cuff.
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Designed to wear in a particular fashion!
I took so many liberties, with this loomed creation, to include a particular means of wearing it. The focal, bead bezeled picture under a glass cab, is located to wear it upright, similar to a watch. Then the two slide clasps will fall on the outer-side of the wrist. The 3D arm, of the mascot, is attached and positioned to fall over the thumb.
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When I am able to include a matching piece, I enjoy adding to the order! I decided to bead bezel another mascot picture, which show above incomplete, but I beaded a 'tube' as the bail, secured that on top then threaded a 'sterling ball chain' for wearing! A 16mm Blue Rivoli was bead framed and included at the bottom of the bead bezeled picture.
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Over lapping graphs to create patterns!
This picture is included to show how I graph out my patterns, for the pieces I loom. Once I know the picture, I overlay a graph paper, select the bead colors from my stash of over 600 Delica 11/0 beads and begin looming each row as seen in the pattern. If a bead on the pattern is showing more then one color, I'll make an 'executive decision' and continue looming.
I have been creating my patterns in this method, for many, many years. There are bead programs on the market, which I own and have learned, but none of them seem to offer the best Delica bead choice. Bead Programs seem to create patterns with colors that really do not blend best, for the actual picture selected. I have made some changes, in the programs I own, but the method I am showing you here, is my favorite and best 'to date'!
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"Breast Cancer Awareness Cuff"
Designed and Created to depict 'courage'"
One of my favorite and most touching requests, was from a wonderful Woman who wanted me to create a cuff that tells a story of her experience with 'Breast Cancer'.
The designing of this cuff, took many twists and turns. I have more pictures to 'manage' so I can share some techniques used. I will add these pictures, and tell more of this wonderful story, as soon as possible.
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Above is a montage of different angles or views of this Breast Cancer Awareness Cuff,
offering you a more realistic feel of how it shows, when worn.
I love this aspect, of all my cuffs, knowing the true picture even though the worn version, of the cuff, will be dicieving!
Be sure to notice the added 3D parts of this cuff, the ear off the edge of the cuff, but also the added ear on the large dog, itself!
I share my looming thoughts frequently on my Blog,
"A Bead Looming Intervention"
The right 'Intervention' can help,
so commenting, on my blog posts, will help us all learn more about bead looming!
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"Picture This" Cuff, 'Frederick the Frog Cuff!'
I was requested to create a 'loomed cuff' with a 'Frog' as the subject matter. I knew there would be many green beads, and a need to portray 'action' in the pattern, as frogs hop alot! The pattern I sketched is 32 beads wide, then added extra beadwork for the snout and feet. To complete the 3D feel, I embroidered various lines to finish each foot, eyebrow and top of the frog's head. His front leg is not only 'hanging over the fring', but was beaded seperately, in a peyote stitch to follow the loomed pattern, then attched to the top of the looming. The 'action' is shown by the graphic design I created behind the frog. My final detail is the 'tongue' beaded in a 'spiral rope' stitch and ending in a beaded rendition of a fly.
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"The Frog Cuff, extended,
for a full view of the design."
When worn, a 'Frog' can only be considered. Opened out to it fullest, the entire 3D picture comes to life!
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Above is a montage of a few stages created to complete this 3D Cuff. I realized when I originally graphed this picture, that I wanted it to extend and have dimension, out side of the loomed size.
I plan this no different then if I were to draw a picture on a piece of paper and the drawing ends up being too large, for the paper size. Instead of redrawing the same picture, on a larger piece of paper, I tape more paper around the edges, allowing the same design to be completed without interuption. This is exactly how I plan my cuffs. I want them to extend outside the normal boundry.
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Below, on this same page, I show a detail example of how a pattern can be created,
from any photo, even one taken with your own camera!
Once a picture is decided, then I select the beads. One of my absolutely favorite line of 11/0 Delicas, is the 'Satin' finish line. You can find shades of 'satin' in the number ranges of 800 and some in 600, of the Delica Bead Line.
The picture above is a cuff I created as an "Occupation". All three cuffs, above, are the same one, but notice how the 'Satin Delicas' reflect different, in light. Gorgeous!
Notice how the same 'Satin Delicas' take on a 'matte' finish look, when in another light!
As with all my cuffs, this is completed with a Sterling Silver Bar Clasp.
There are 10 colors used to create this picture of the Stylist's Sissors and Comb.
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I custom graph my patterns, using the method pictured above left. Superimposing a section of 'loom graph paper' over the picture of my subject. Bead colors are selected, based on the colors I see in the original picture. From this group of colors, I select the best match,
as I loom and follow the graph.
Using the 'E-Decrease' method I created, I finish the loomed cuff with a 'sterling slide bar clasp',
shown above right.
This "Picture This" Cuff ended up being 26 Beads Wide and I loomed 35 different,
11/0 Delica Bead Colors/Finishes.
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"Patterns created from Photographs!"
Creating a pattern was easy, for me, because I loved flowers and butterflies. I draw my patterns, with color pencils on graph paper, in the color variations to show depth and form. It was more difficult to create realist patterns, or copy photogrpahs, on a piece of graph paper. Now I have mastered using the computer for creating "Photographic Patterns".
My large challenge is deciding the bead color and finish, for the right play on light.
I am realizing, more these days, why there is a need to create so many different bead color and finishes! They actally create a completely different color, when placed next to another, of a different finish.
The combinations seems endless, but hopefully there will be more and more colors offered!!
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"Monarch Wrist Corsage"
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The Monarch Butterfly has such beautiful colors, and is a favorite of mine! I graphed a picture of a Monarch, selected 15/0 glass seed bead colors and completed a 3-D butterfly. Wanting the Monarch to 'sit' statuesque, I outlined underneath each wing with wire. This cuff was loomed to include a 'flower design', using 11/0 Delicas, then I 'embroidered' the outline, of each flower, bud and leaf, with petit size 15/0 glass seed beads. The beadwork was then attached to one of my custom cut aluminum cuffs, lined with suede.
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""Flower Power Watch""
The watch face was selected, to create a colorful long stem flower, on a cuff.
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"The watch is attached to a separate tab of looming, so it is able to be detached, from the cuff, on one side, access the back of the watch and it's movements, then reattach. The watch is very 'maintainable', while the loomed 3-D design creates 'wearable artwork'.
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I custom size, shape and cut the metal cuff blanks I use for all my loomed cuffs and watches. This allows me to control the flexibility of the blank and the shape of my designs. As with all cuffs, this watch is lined, with suede, then edged using glass beads.
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"Field of Poppies Necklace".
Loomed 25 beads wide, using 11/0 Delicas. The pattern, of poppies and leaves, are loomed using silver lined and ceylon Delicas, trimmed with a lavender ceylon Delica. I used a matte black Delica bead for the background so the pattern would 'glow'. Each poppy petal was loomed with a varigation of silver lined reds and oranges, 11/0 Delica glass beads. The thick, short fringe is create with green glass bugle beads and 8mm lavender acrylic beads, as the acrylic beads also 'glow' during various light plays.
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"Dogwood Necklace"
One of the most odd shaped patterns I have created, a Dogwood Petal. The petals were loomed using Antique Glass Beads, in a matte ivory, 11/0. The 'suede' look to these beads, lend itself to a realistic flower. The Dogwood was assembled on a loomed irregular shape, loomed using AB blue Delicas, 11/0. Each leaf was also loomed, using matte finishes, of different saturations of green. A 'looped' fringe and an 'accent swag' of glass beads, were also in tones to match the looming. The center of the flower is a beaded bead of mettalic 15/0 glass Japanese beads.
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If you have any questions about my beadwork
or art, e-mail Me!!
erin@simonetti.com
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