Cape Charles Cuff

Cape Charles Reclaimed Cuff

This piece was inspired after my visit to Cape Charles, VA last summer.  I collected sea glass and shells from the beach there.  The sea glass I used as the focal piece still has the raised lettering on it.  This was the starting point for my creation.

To begin with, I covered a brass cuff with sand colored ultra suede to resemble the beach for the background.  The shells and beach glass were treated as though they were cabochons. Crouch stitch and peyote stitches to encircle them with seed beads and secured them to the pieces by using rows of other small objects ,stitched into the row of Aqua and clear drops gracefully draped around the edges of the cuff.  These drop reminded me of the water. 

I used Swarovski Crystals to reflect the light and sparkle like the water and sunlight.  By adding beads to my Even Peyote Stitch I created the waves.

To finish my beach theme, I selected a starfish shaped Swarovski Crystal, golden brown sea pearls, & a sail boat Charm. 

The piece is stitched with needle & 8# test Fire line (fishing line).  It incorporates the ladder stitch, picots, crouching stitch, Even count & wavy peyote stitches. 

I visited Cape Charles on July 5, 2010 and completed this piece by September of 2010. 

Thank you

Kate Costello

(703-398-2780)