Saturday, August 18, 2012
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Longhorns & Cactus Flowers
My latest creation, a reclaimed leather belt with a somewhat faded stamping of cactus flowers and longhorn cattle . . . rejuvenated and re-purposed into an interesting and lovely bracelet.
I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with this belt, since the Western pattern was pretty hard to work "around" so I decided to work "with" it. I started by cutting it so that the cactus flower was the centerpiece and the focus of the cuff. I began by adding a few silver foil seed beads to the center of the flower, and stitching in strategic areas to add texture.
My favorite part of the bracelet turned out to be the longhorn. I used vintage silk embroidery thread that I had stashed in my sewing supplies for more than a decade (because someday it will be good for something, right?) to make the tuft on the top of his head. It turns out that painting is like riding a bike . . . it comes back to you immediately.
I'm rethinking the closure, because I can't bear to put a snap over my painting! I think some rivets with leather laces might be a better option. I love the way the flower turned out as well. At first I thought this might be an Evening Primrose, but the tiny cacti in the background made me realize it was a cactus flower.
Available for purchase at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShesSoWitte
I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with this belt, since the Western pattern was pretty hard to work "around" so I decided to work "with" it. I started by cutting it so that the cactus flower was the centerpiece and the focus of the cuff. I began by adding a few silver foil seed beads to the center of the flower, and stitching in strategic areas to add texture.
My favorite part of the bracelet turned out to be the longhorn. I used vintage silk embroidery thread that I had stashed in my sewing supplies for more than a decade (because someday it will be good for something, right?) to make the tuft on the top of his head. It turns out that painting is like riding a bike . . . it comes back to you immediately.
I'm rethinking the closure, because I can't bear to put a snap over my painting! I think some rivets with leather laces might be a better option. I love the way the flower turned out as well. At first I thought this might be an Evening Primrose, but the tiny cacti in the background made me realize it was a cactus flower.
Available for purchase at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShesSoWitte
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