Cabochon #3: Antique Earrings

Center Stone: Old buttons from my mom's sewing box!
Inner Layer: Small Pearls
Thread: Black Nylon Thread, available at craft stores

I am really into the antique look, if you haven't noticed! I am not one-hundred percent sure that I am finished with these... I am considering sewing another outer layer of small purple seed beads to complete the antique look.

This just goes to show that you can use anything to be the center of your pendant... cabochons, buttons, even coins!

I used the same simple stitching pattern as Cabochon #1 and #2. Just so you don't have to go back and find the pattern, I will re-post it here:

To start your stitch, take the needle you have pulled through the underside of the felt up to the top and slide four of your czech beads down the needle and pull them snug against the felt. Push the needle back through, from the top side of the felt to the bottom, as close to the fourth bead as you can, and pull the thread (still underneath the felt) back to the very first bead, then make room between the first bead and your needle for two more beads. Leaving this space open, pull your needle back up to the top side of the felt, and string two more beads on. Then, pull your needle through the other four beads.

Remaining on the top of the felt, string on four more beads. Then, just like before, push your needle through the felt, from the top side to the bottom, as close to the fourth bead as possible. Count back six beads, then push your needle, from the bottom to the top, and slide it through those six beads to re-string all of them. This serves to reinforce the string and make sure the beads aren't loose. However, don't pull the string too tight while you are sewing the beads on, because it will make the beads look uneven. Then, string on four more beads.

Repeat the paragraph above until you have strung beads all around your cabochon or button. If you come around to the beginning again and you aren't sure if you need, for example, three more beads or four to complete the circle, always put on three. Using too many beads makes it look awkward and uneven. Using one too few beads will look fine, as the final step pulls them together tighter.

To complete the look, pull your string through ALL of the beads without stitching it under in between. Do this until it is difficult to pull the string through anymore. This evens out the spaces between the beads and pulls them snug to make sure they don't loosen later on.

Pull the needle through the felt one final time and tie it together with the other end of the string you left loose at the beginning of the project. Most guides will tell you to simply tie it, but I also like to apply a bit of G-S Hypo Cement to the tie, as well as a bit to the other corners of string, to prevent it from coming untied. Cut away the excess felt. To make it look polished, glue another piece of felt to the back of the pendant to cover up the glue and string.

And remember, tis the season to give! You can easily make these pendants into necklaces, and give them to friends and family as a handmade gift they will treasure!

Happy sewing!
- Kathleen