Every once in a while, a design inspiration comes to me like a lightening bolt making contact with a solid object! It is a rare occurrence, but welcome all the same. Since I travel a lot, I have a tremendous amount of time that is spent on airplanes. I actually like that time as I usually bead or play with designing in my sketchbook. Recently, I was on a flight, heading for home, skimming through an airline magazine and came across an article about a cake shop in Maryland. Now, I don’t usually get inspired to design looking at cakes, but this shop owner was making magic in each and every confection! He was creating cakes that moved, talked, and most importantly to me, were incredibly beautiful. One series of cakes were decorated in a paisley theme with intricate, lacey and inviting lines. These images made me want to design a new piece, not later, but now, so the rest of the flight was taken over by the creative process.

See additional color palette & photo details of necklace...

Naming a new design mostly happens during the process of creating. Since almost all of my designs are based on historical perspective, I tend to know what path I wish to take, as in a time period or style. Designing around cake images is definitely a new path for me! Amazingly, the word, “Intermezzo” kept coming to mind long before the design actually started taking shape. Generally, this term means a composition that fits between another musical, or other dramatic entities, such as acts of a play or movements of a larger musical work. For me, I guess it means that Intermezzo Necklace can stand on its own, as a design, that was created between the regular progression of my body of artwork. Sort of like a lovely interlude or intermission that has its own voice.

Intermezzo Necklace uses beautiful, natural and lab-grown, faceted gemstones and high quality CZ’s, along with fine metal mountings as part of the design. This process is new to me and very elegant. The bail of the pendant is created in dimensional Lattice Weave then embellished at the top and along the edges. Hanging from the bail is a pendant made with Peyote Stitch, Netting and embellishing techniques. All of these techniques are used to capture a series of faceted gemstones and CZ’s for an elegantly shaped pendant.

The pendant is strung onto a strand of pearls, interspersed with beaded rings of dimensional Lattice Weave that are embellished. Some of the rings are set with pearls and gemstones or CZ’s. The necklace ends with two beaded gemstone or CZ buttons and a shaped loop closure. The closure connector mimics the design of the beaded rings plus two Peyote stitch loops made using a technique I call “split circle”, that divides one tube of Peyote into two and allows each to hook around a button.

What Techniques Students Need To Know Before The Workshop

Skill level: This workshop is for the advanced level beader. The student must be familiar with Peyote Stitch and Netting. Lattice Weave will be taught in class but understanding Right Angle Weave would be helpful.

We will schedule refresher classes on flat peyote 2-3 weeks before the workshop.

Materials Needed For the Workshop:
Participants may purchase a kit from the instructor, or can bring with them the supplies and tools listed below.
You may bring your own supplies, or these are also available for purchase at Be Dazzled Beads.

SUPPLY LIST

15 grams of the main 15/0 for all of the bezel work, bail and closure connector.
5 grams of the main 11/0 (matches the main 15/0) for embellishing and increasing within the bail.
5 grams each of 2 colors of accent 15/0's
5 grams each of 2 colors of accent 11/0's that match the accent 15/0's
3 grams Aiko or Delicas. Delicas can be substituted, but they tend to be a bit smaller so your bezel counts may be off. Whichever you choose, you will want them to match, or complement the main color of 15/0 and 11/0
1 strand of 2.5mm round or potatoe natural pearls for embellishing around the bezels. I used 98 pearls. You can substitute this item for something of the same size.
48 Magatamas for embellishing. I used the 3mm ones. Magatamas are round beads that have an off-center hole, so they are like little drops
2mm round swarovski Crystals. I used 104 of these little cuties.
1 strand of 7.5-8mm round pearls, or an equivalent, for the necklace. I used a strand of natural pearls but the Swarovski pearls would be lovely. My strand was 16" long.
4mm rondelles for support under the beaded ring embellishments. You will need 12 of these.
Faceted Gemstones: These can be natural gemstones or lab-grown stones or CZ's. All of these stones have faceted backs. These stones are not Rivoli'! Please DO NOT use glass stones with foil backs, as they will scratch when set into the metal mountings.
- 3 stones that are 4mm for the pendant
- 4 stones that are 6mm for 2 of the beaded rings, the top of the bail and the closure connector embellishment.
- 2 stones that are 10mm for the buttons
- 1 stone that is a 10x14mm oval for the pendant
- 1 stone that is 10x14mm pearl/teardop for the pendant
Fine metal snap-set mountings in gold-filled or sterling
- 3 mountings for the 4mm stones
- 4 mountings for the 6mm stones
- 2 mountings for the 10mm stones

Other Supplies That Will Be Needed:
1 bobbin of One-G Thread in a color that blends well with the main 15/0.
2 yards Stringing material for the necklace. I used "Stringth" bead cord in size "0"
Micro-crystal wax or equivalent (optional but recommended).
Beading needles: Size 12 for making the necklace. Please have size 13 & 15 beading needles for weaving through tight spots when embellishing.
1 size 10 beading needle or a flexible eye needle for stringing the necklace
Small sharp scissors and a Thread Zapper (if you like to trim threads with it).
1 pair of small chain-nose pliers to tighten mountings, if needed.
a 3" piece of 1/2" doweling or a wooden needle case to use as a tool for connecting the stones to the mountings.
A work surface of choice
Lighting and magnification. If you use it at home, you will need it in class!!!
[The classroom is well-lit, but you may want to supplement this by bringing an OTT-light or similar light. There are plenty of outlets.]

KITS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE INSTRUCTOR IN THESE PALETTES:
Note: There are a few specialized pieces in this project. If you did not want to purchase a kit, you will be able to purchase these specialized pieces separately from Cynthia.

1. Matte Gold with Amethyst CZ's

Clasp Detail

Pendant Detail

2. Aqua/Gold with AAAAA white CZ's

Clasp Detail

Pendant Detail

3. Bronze/Rose/Gold with Pink CZ's

4. Green/Lavender with either Alexandrite Lab. grown or Olivine CZ's

About Cynthia Rutledge


www.cynthiarutledge.net

Artist’s Statement:

Cynthia is a contemporary artist and teacher focusing on beadwork as her medium. She specializes in peyote stitch and off-loom weaving techniques with an emphasis on developing sculptural unsupported shapes in beadwork. Her work has been exhibited in national and international shows and has appeared in Nicolette Stessin's Beaded Amulet Purses, Carol Taylor's Creative Bead Jewelry, and Carol Wilcox Wells' Creative Bead Weaving: A Contemporary Guide to Classic Off-Loom Stitches.

"My attraction to 3-dimensional shapes has created a fascination for me throughout my life and has fueled my creative spirit. My choice of beadwork as a primary medium has followed that same fascination. As my beadwork has
evolved, my work seems to always lean towards the building of shapes and forms that are functional and wearable.

The choice to use beads as my medium was primarily influenced by my love of color. Beads reflect and absorb light, hold shape and dimension, and in so doing, offer chameleon-like qualities. It is not always the end result that
is the most important to me, however. The process of working with beads and thread is meditative and calming, which allows time for reflection. Engineering each piece is always a challenge that thrills me, as well as giving me the power to make the decisions that need to be made for each piece. The more I experience the wonderful qualities of beadwork, the more I realize my relationship with beads will always be one of learning, experiencing and sharing.

The decision to teach grew from my personal desire to share my love of beads and all the wonderful things that can be created with them. The commitment that I have to teaching stems from my desire to share the knowledge I have gained while developing my own skills in this medium. Ultimately, my mission is to help to keep this art form alive and well."

Cynthia Rutledge

P.S. The fantastic photos of my work were taken by Melinda Holden and Mark Rutledge.

Lunch Options:
The workshop will take a break for lunch. Within easy walking distance are these lunch places:
Applebees
The Yellow Porch
Sam & Zoes
Baja Burrito
Subway
Kebab Gyro Shop
Pizza Hut
Wendy's
Calypso Cafe
Mediterranean Cafe (short drive)
Cafe D' Pranza
Pfunky Griddle
Logans Steak House
Monell's
Jersey Mikes
Cheeseburger Charlies
Einstein Bagel

Lodging:
If you are coming from out of town, the closest motels are
La Quinta Inn (Sidco Drive near Harding Place and I-65)
Red Roof Inn (Sidco Drive near Hading Place and I-65)

There are additional motels 1 exit south on I-65 on Old Hickory Blvd in Brentwood.

See:
Location, Lodging,
Access by Car, Plane