Just Bead It

Expensive Nordstrom beaded necklace

Saw this necklace at Nordstrom and really liked it but, I didn't really like the price.

Once again I said in my head " I can totally make that ! "

My $10 copy

And I did. 

Only out of a pretty pewter color bead because the gold colored beads looked cheap.

While I was at Nordstrom I measured the length and width of the necklace against my hand ( ie. width is from wrist to tip of middle finger ). 

Next I drew a paper pattern, thread traced it onto gray felt that matched the pewter color beads I purchased and used leather cording from an old bolero tie.

This is the back of the necklace before beading

Attached a clasp to the one end of the leather cording and firmly stitched the other ends to the felt. Fused interfacing to the back of the felt to add structure and strength for beading neckpiece. 

Beading was done on the front ( non-interfaced ) side and that's why thread outline is important

Hand sewing the beads was done over many evenings while watching shows on Hulu.

When beading was finished spread a thick layer of glue on the back to attach another layer of felt that covered up all the stitches and interfacing.

Last step was carefully trimming away the felt and my beaded necklace knock-off was complete!

The Ribbonerie; it's extraordinary!

Ribbon has been on my radar for awhile because I am trying to create beautiful flowers and ribbon works for my millinery obsession.

And I found the motherlode for ribbons in Presidio Heights at 

The Ribbonerie.

The extremely nice owner has been in the ribbon business for over 28 years and has had this ribbon shop for 20. It has been open at its current location for 6 years.

There are easily over 1,000 ribbons in this store to tempt and distract you.

And the prices are very reasonable. Plus, there is no minimum purchase; buy 1 inch or one million inches. 

But, what I found most exciting is that there are numerous classes in ribbon work offered on various weekends. 

AND many classes are taught by Candice Kling whose book on ribbon work I just purchased.

Sign me up!

 As often happens when the choices are too numerous I get overwhelmed and made a modest purchase of some tulle ribbon, some discontinued hard to find ribbons and one antique red button.

Of course the day before I had been agonizing over the ribbon section at Britex in Union Square. 

I did purchase some petersham ribbon at Britex and also four expensive variegated silk ribbons. 

Even with a 30% off sale at Britex it is still extremely costly;

I did resist a gorgeous silk rayon velvet burgundy to gold ribbon that was $12.95 a yard.

With ribbon purchases piling up and an insatiable appetite for more, there was only one thing to do…

flee!