Southwest Sparkle

The colour combination of turquoise and orange evokes images of the American Southwest. It makes me think of the turquoise and silver jewelry made by Native American Navajo tribal artisans.


This bracelet was stitched with the N'debele stitch using silver-lined clear, turquoise and orange seed beads. One side of the N'debele tube is an embellishment of the turquoise and orange seed beads. The toggle is ladder and netting stitches covering two clear acrylic buttons. The closure loop is peyote stitched with a row of orange beads blanket stitched along the edge for added stength.

Equadorian Leaf Bracelet

This bracelet is from a design that is an adaptation of a Saraguro beading pattern. The August 2002 issue of Bead and Button magazine featured an elaborate beadwoven necklace that inspired Kelly Lightner to create the pattern for this bracelet.

The clasp is made from two acrylic buttons that I fastened back-to-back. The black accents on the buttons go well with the black seed beads. I am trying to figure out now if I have enough beads to make a matching anklet.

Ndebele Ruffles on Peyote

Getting a good picture of this bracelet was a challenge because the clear seed beads in the center peyote band created reflections that kept you from seeing the bracelet clearly. I tried taking the pictures in different settings, but none were acceptable to post. My husband suggested hanging it on the rose bush to take the shot. It turned out to be the best idea of all!

The beads placed between each Ndebele point created the ruffles along the edge of the band. That was not the original design intent, but I have learned the hard way to listen to the beads when they begin to speak. I think it gives the bracelet a more feminine look.

Lady Roots on Beading Gem's Journal

Once again, Sistren Pearl has been kind enough to feature my creations on her amazing blog, Beading Gem's Journal.

This post focused on jewelry made from recycled materials. She displays a picture of a bracelet made of buttons cut from business suits I used to wear in my former corporate life. Another link within her blog post shows a cuff I made from recycled material.

She has graciously helped to increase readership on this blog by featuring my work on Beading Gem's Journal.

Thanks and itinual Ras-pect to Sistren Pearl.

Blue Mood From A Beading Muse - Pt 2

Another blue piece. This is a peyote band embellished with picot edging and a ruffled loop down the center of the band. The toggle clasp is a clear acrylic button.

(Click the image for a larger view.)

This view shows the 3-D effect of the looped embellishment along the band.

Blue Mood Part 1
Blue Mood Part 3
Blue Mood Part 4

Recycled Jewelry

This bracelet was made from buttons clipped off a business suit I wore in my former corporate life. During the early 80s most female managers were wearing boxy three piece man-tailored suits in an attempt to be accepted into the Old Boys Club. Since I knew that would NEVER happen for me, I did not make as great an effort to fit in. When I wear the bracelet now, I give thanks that I never have to wear another suit, or carry another briefcase to another corporate meeting. I am blessed to be able to live the life I do.

The artisians on these sights also use recycled materials to create useful and decorative items.

I love the comic book bracelet on this page.
http://www.greatgreengoods.com/category/green-jewelry/

Here I can't decide between the safety pin bracelet or the typewriter key bracelet. Love both!
http://www.eco-artware.com/catalog/bracelets.shtml

Check out the On The Road collection here.
http://www.junktojewels.com/index.html

Reuse everything you can to reduce the amount of waste going into our landfills. Our children, our future, our world deserves our best.

More recycled jewelry by Lady Roots