Opal Collar Step Eight

Opal Collar Update
Originally uploaded by satyridae

Here's some of the edging around the Ceylon white beads. The edging is the same color as the opal bezels- 22KT Delica beads. It's super sparkly! I've spent the whole day on it and I am very happy with today's progress.

Opal Collar Step Seven

Opal Collar Update
Originally uploaded by satyridae

The bezels are all done! Yay! They sure took longer than I expected they would, but I love the way it looks. The next step is to decide how much color to add. At this point I'm thinking not very much. Some more gold, for sure, perhaps snaking around the amber chips.

I'm also unsure about what to do above the central opal- right now I'm leaning toward having the necklace's top line dip there as well- sort of a sweetheart neckline. It will become clearer as I add more beads. It always does.

Opal Collar Step Six

Opal Collar 2/3 Bezeled
Originally uploaded by satyridae

I wish I could figure out how to capture the fire in these opals! They are so beautiful- almost distracting while I'm trying to work, they twinkle and sparkle and throw glorious shafts of color into my eyes.

Five more opals to bezel, but tonight I got invited to go out to dinner, so too bad for the beadwork. Tomorrow is another day. ;-)

Opal Collar Update

I've been bezeling away here, and have all the center opals finished and one whole side. I'd love to get the other side finished tomorrow and post some photos. It is really starting to look like something for the Czarina!

Opal Collar, Step Five

Opal Collar, Step Five
Originally uploaded by satyridae

Here's a close-up so that the rings of pearly white seed beads will show up against the white backing.

I didn't get a lot accomplished today, but I did get several of the bezels enclosed with circles of white beads. There are a couple of pearls and several clear crystals embellishing the places where the rings meet and would overlap.

At this point, I'm really leaning toward keeping the embroidery very simple. The opals are so flashy, so stunning, that it almost feels like too much color would take away from them. So the plan for now is to encircle all the opals with at least two rows of white beads and then re-assess.

Opal Collar, Step Four

Opal Collar Update
Originally uploaded by satyridae

All the opals are bezeled, or sewn into place using peyote-stitched beaded collars. I've added four amber beads that are shaped like flat discs. It's really hard to see because of the white backing, but three of the central opals now have a row of shimmery white beads around the outside of their bezels as well as a couple of sparkling crystal accents and a few gold beads.

Opal Collar Update

I hoped I'd be able to say that I had all the opals surrounded with cozy little golden bezels tonight. Alas, no. I do only have one to go, so I look forward to posting a real update, with a photo tomorrow.