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Aunt Molly's Bead Street
BEADWORK PROJECTS

No-sew Projects with Polymer Clay Face Cabochons

Herb Bundle

I like to hang fresh herbs in my car and in the neglected corners of my house. I like this project because I can untie the bundle when the herbs are no longer fragrant, then tie it up again with fresh herbs. I also like that I can pull off the face cab and use it on something else later. This project also makes for a very quick and easy handmade gift.

Materials

• Polymer clay face cabochon
• Scrap of heavy, textured fabric big enough to tuck ends under and wrap around herb bundle
• Bundle of fresh or dried herbs, flowers, feathers, red willow, anything that can be bundled
• 18" inches or more of colored Artistic Wire (or any wire thin enough to get beads onto and soft enough to wrap without tools)
• 4 to 6" Artistic or other wire for the hanging loop
• Assorted glass and gemstone accent beads

Tools

• Scissors
• FrayChek (optional)
• White tacky craft glue (for temporarily gluing the face cab)
  or super glue such as Zap a Gap or Slo Gap for permanent adhesion

1. First, gather some herbs. The picture shows rosemary from my yard. I've also used sage and lavendar.

2. Cut a swatch of heavy, textured fabric and use FrayChek on the edges or fold them under before wrapping.

3. Roll the bundle of herbs inside the fabric, then set it aside while stringing beads.

4. Choose some special accent beads that coordinate or contrast with the fabric.

5. Cut about an 18" length of wire and string it with various beads (or all the same beads, it's your thing...). You can string the entire length or just part of it, letting the beads spread out as you wrap. This is especially nice if the wire is a pretty color.

6. Fold the wire ends about 1/4" from the ends so the beads don't fall off while wrapping.

7. There are a couple of ways to begin wrapping. When covering the entire wire with beads, I like to start with one end at the back of the bundle, then hold it there while winding the wire around, crisscrossing along the length of the bundle. When I only put on a few beads, I like to center them on the wire, then lay them across the front of the bundle, holding it there and pulling one end around and around, then pulling the other end around. This insures that some beads show on the front. Either way, make sure you wrap once near the very top, to hold the bundle snug there and also to provide a place to attach a beaded loop.

8. Bring both wire ends together and twist them around each other at least 3 times. Push them against the bundle so they're not sticking out, and then trim the ends with scissors as necessary.

9. For the finishing loop, cut 4-6 inches of wire and string it with beads, leaving about half an inch unbeaded at both ends. Fold the loop ends under the wire at the top of the bundle. Space the loop ends across from each other, one on either side of where the face cab will go. Wrap the loop ends around the wire once or twice to secure it to the bundle.

10. Finally, glue the face cabochon onto the front of the bundle, near the top, using tacky craft glue. Allow it to set before hanging.

Fancy Variations

I cannot even imagine all the variations people could come up with. But here are a few for the more experienced beadworkers and crafters out there:

• Add beaded fringe to the bottom of the fabric before wrapping the herbs.
• Instead of using FrayChek at the bottom, pull some threads to create a fringed look.
• Add bead embroidery to solid color fabric -- stitch symbols, motifs, or other appropriate designs directly onto the cloth before or after wrapping.
• Add a row or two of bead embroidery around the face cabochon, or make a fancy beaded bezel.
• Instead of a wire loop at the top, stitch a beaded thread loop.
• Use hand dyed or hand decorated cloth for the wrap. Decorate with batik, rubber stamping, Jacquard paints, etc.
• Glue and/or stitch significant found objects to the surface.
• Instead of wrapping a single herb, wrap flowers from the garden and let them dry. Wrap red willow twigs, or even feathers, exotic ribbons, an assortment of all of the above.
• Create a bundle "doll" by attaching arms or hands to the fabric. Stich these on with thread, or use wire similar to the hanging loop at the top to add "body parts."
  

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This page was first posted on 9/02/03, ©2003 Mary J. Tafoya.
All patterns and projects ©1997-2003 Mary J. Tafoya.
Single copies may be downloaded for personal, non-commercial use only.
All other usage must be accompanied by written permission from the copyright holder.