Post by fernwood on Apr 20, 2018 15:32:51 GMT -5
Quick pics here. Will start a Flickr Album later. This is not a jamesp glass cab. Did not want to experiment with those.
1. Glued a piece of leather to the back of cab. Left opening on top for later insertion of glue on bail (when they arrive).
2. No photos of this step, but used a large safety pin to pierce the leather close to the cab. Holes are equal spacing, with the exception of the top.
3. Did what is called a two seed backstitch to attach the first row of beads to the leather. Secured the stringing material, in this case clear 8lb test ice fishing line to the back of the leather, leaving about 2” of the line beyond the knot.
4. Bring needle and line up through first hole.
5. Slide two seed beads on the needle and push them down until they meet the leather. Note that beads must have fairly large holes.
6. Insert needle in next hole.
7. Bring needle up through first hole.
8. Insert needle in second bead and pull through.
9. Slide two seed beads onto needle and push them down until they meet the second bead.
10. Insert needle in next hole.
11. Bring needle up through previous hole, so it is positioned between the second and third bead.
12. Insert needle through the second, third and fourth bead.
13. Repeat the process until the beads surround the cab.
Note: If I would have had the bail, I could have totally surrounded the cab with the beads immediately. I have to wait, so left the line and needle attached. No need to worry about the irregular shape of the beading done, as it will become even when the second row is attached.
Future steps are to:
Glue bail between leather and cab.
Complete first row of beads.
Do second row of beads, which will be a different pattern.
Determine if a third row of beads is needed.
Trim leather.
Cut another piece of leather the same size as the trimmed leather.
If additional glue is needed apply it through the back of the leather. Use a small syringe for this, but be sure to clean it out ASAP if you want to save it. Inexpensive syringes can be purchased for farm supply stores.
Place the other piece of leather to the back immediately after doing above step. While the glue is still workable. Then push down on the back so excess glue between cab and layer one oozes onto second layer. Let dry.
Flatten and maybe pattern the edges of leather.
This technique can be used with a variety of beads. To refresh my memory, I used simple glass seed beads. I envision using red coral tube beads to surround a turquoise cab. Or maybe cone shaped rainbow moonstone beads on a cab with flash. Metal beads. The possibilities are endless.
The backing material does not need to be leather. Felt or metal can be used. Just need to have a very small hole punch for the metal.
This technique allows anyone to make an attractive bezel for cabs, even if they are not into metal smithing. A similar technique can be used to make ring shanks to attach the bezeled cab to.
Will update this thread as I go.