Arabesque - The Sultana's Necklace

Dear Reader, this is my Sultana's Necklace in progress. I don't usually share pictures of the jewelry making process, and that' because I don't do tutorials, and I think bead embroidery is a relatively easy, albeit largely time consuming art form, and if you know the basics, you know how everything is made.

But I thought You might like this after all.

Well, first I designed it. Which is done in my head, then on a paper. I use a compass and a ruler for this. (no picture of this, sorry.)

Then I traced it on Pellon. In this case it's black Pellon.

Hard to find, but so worth it.

Then I cut it out. Some people like to let their designs evolve and don't cut it out just yet, but since this was a tight design, no room to deviate from the plan, I did cut it out.

Then I lined my work with size 15 gold Charlottes. I am very fond of size 15 beads in general.

They give a feeling of a certain finesse...

Then I filled in the rest with more beads in back stitch, mostly size 15s and some 11s.

I am almost done, and will post pictures of the finished piece in a day or two.

But now, let me tell you about the design.

When I learned about the new theme for the December Challenge of the Etsy Beadweavers', I knew I had to participate in this one: Arabesque.

Arabesque is flowing leafy , organic patterns largely influenced by Islamic art, which oftentimes turns into even more ornate geometric patters that are based on the sacred geometry of the stars and living things. Even some Medieval Christian art, especially found in codices are a good example here. What fun, right?

Well, I like the geometric patterns even more then I like the leafy ones. So I based my necklace on an Islamic pattern, and decided to make a very light looking and feeling necklace in turquoise, gold and azure blues.

We shall see. I named it the Sultana's necklace, because the Sultana simply means Muslim women rulers. Not a wife on the Sultan, but a ruler in her own right.

Can't wait to finish up and share the final pics with you.