Isabella's beads aren't strung as a necklace, earrings or brooch. They're not woven as a bracelet, belt or bag. They are simply a long strip, nine beads wide. Heavy, some of glass, some of metal and gloriously coloured, each bead is tinier than the smallest seed beads in craft shops now. And they simply make a long strip. Nothing more complicated than that. Each end is folded over rather than attached to a jewellery finding.
And although they are strung on coarse, age-faded thread, they have evidently been made by a skilful craftsperson. Intricate, classic patterns trace their way along the thread, picked out in carefully chosen colours and separated by looser stretches. A tantalising delight.
To make the beads would require (as well the material) space to work; a table perhaps, containers for the beads, maybe one for each colour. Most probable as there are many colours and the patterns are complex. It would be time consuming to pick through a mixed batch of colours.
ReplyDeleteThe patterns may be traditional; to country,to a region, or to a period. Or they may just have come from the imagination of the maker.