CRAW TIGER EYE NECKLACE

quekpeggy wrote

on Aug 5, 2012 7:08 AM

I was hesitating if this should be showcased because it is a far cry from the original design ( B & B October 2011 Issue). Nevertheless, i just give it a shot and here it is:

This is my first try on Cubic Right-angle weave. I Think the curves on both sides are not balanced. May be I should redo the left side. What do you think?

D.M.Z wrote

on Aug 5, 2012 12:42 PM

Peggy, I like it as it is, but I think if it doesn't hang right could you just add a tiger eye (small) round bead to the side you don't like to balance it? I'd only fuss with it if it doesn't hang right..........looks fine. I remember that pattern and admire you for doing it. Donna

Valbeads wrote

on Aug 5, 2012 7:36 PM

I dunno, looks pretty good to me.  I like that stone .  Is it Tiger jasper?  Also, excuse my dimness, but what's CRAW?

Val

D.M.Z wrote

on Aug 5, 2012 7:56 PM

Val.............cubic right angle weave.............a stitch that I shudder to even think about tackling. I can just see me all tied up in beads and string and hollering for help.........my dogs walk in and laugh at me. Donna

elainelynn wrote

on Aug 5, 2012 10:37 PM

LOL, Donna! 

And Peggy, I think it looks fantastic!

untmom2003 wrote

on Aug 5, 2012 10:49 PM

I think it looks great too! 

And, once it clicked in my brain, CRAW is NOT hard!! Go for it!!

Valbeads wrote

on Aug 5, 2012 11:21 PM

ROTFLMAO!!! Okay, it's an acronym.  Guess it's kinda a good thing I can't sew any longer.   My dogs would probably do the same thing.  Btw, my dogs can actually make a laughing noise like people, so that would make it all the more humiliating!(lol)

Val

quekpeggy wrote

on Aug 6, 2012 2:19 AM

Thank you ladies, I feel so encouraged.

Donna: Oops, too late, I have made an adjustment right after the posting. It looks slightly better now:

I'll keep your idea in mind for future projects.  "I remember that pattern and admire you for doing it" - I was naive to think that it was a simple project so I didn't know what I've got myself into! lol.  I was like trying to run before learning to walk.

I agree with Untmom2003 that CRAW is not that difficult. The video toturial given by Bead Mavens is very easy to follow.

quekpeggy wrote

on Aug 6, 2012 2:42 AM

" Is it Tiger jasper?"  I am not too sure, Val.  My SIL bought it for me from Japan and the tag read "Tiger eye".  I am not an expert in stone so perhaps someone can help in this.  It is quite a big stone measured about 1.6" X 2.5".

SCB1 wrote

on Aug 6, 2012 6:29 AM

It looks a little more like Elephant Skin Jasper, Snake Skin Jasper, or a dozen other different names for it. But it diffidently is not Tiger Eye.

What happens it that a lot of  venders have no idea of the true name for the stones, so it gets labeled as whatever name they decide to call it. some venders are just salesmen, that want to sell a stone, so if it has an interesting name, it sells better. And if you can't remember a name make one up. 

Hope this helps. 

Happy Beading!!

Valbeads wrote

on Aug 6, 2012 11:16 AM

Well, whatever it is, it's a great focal!  I've always been very partial to earth tones because I am very fair, and my complexion is classed as "porcelain."  In other words, I have warm undertones to my skin instead of the typical cool undertones most fairskinned people have.  Others have termed my complexion the even more flattering "peaches and cream." (blush!)  It's my Celtic ancestry.

I have this stone that actually looks like a chunk of wood!  How cool is that?  I picked it up from Lima, but I forgot the name of the stone.  I'll have to go look it up.  BTW, I really do like the neclace.  The way you designed it really draws attention to the focal.

Val(in the rainy Atlantic NorthEast- yes folks, still raining.  It's getting ridiculous!)

ErinK42 wrote

on Aug 6, 2012 5:36 PM

You should be encouraged - this is a stunning piece of work (heck, I'd wear it and it's not even a little bit red <g>).

Beautiful job.

ErinK

quekpeggy wrote

on Aug 7, 2012 11:00 PM

Hey, I think my posting has been swallowed up by the Moderators because of some links to pictures of Snakeskin Jasper and Elephant Skin Jasper. Ah well, those who is interested to now how they look like can always search in google.

Anyway, my point is that my piece of stone is NOT either of the Jaspers too. I compared it with my other Tiger Eye collection and found that they don't look alike except for the distinct bands of golden/yellowish luster. Here are the closed ups of the stone and the Tiger Eye pieces:

 hmmm....what exactly is my beautiful stone?

Valbeads wrote

on Aug 8, 2012 9:03 AM

Well, now I'm puzzled. I suppose it could be an agate of some sort.

Val

D.M.Z wrote

on Aug 8, 2012 12:45 PM

Peggy, there is a material similar to Tiger Eye..........I've seen it marketed as "Tiger Iron" and your pendant looks much like that material. It IS tiger eye, but has yet another mineral in it that gives the darker tones..........most likely in the ferrous territory (iron family) and thus the name. I have had some beads and focals in that material in the past.

OK, just looked it up in my "Gemstones of the World" (Walter Schumann) which is my go to reference book for everything questionable. In it, Tiger Iron (sales name) is officially called Tiger's Eye Matrix and is definitely "a tiger's eye like structure" in mineral aggregate.............the tiger eye alternates with iron oxide layers............

I also use my big Fire Mtn catalog as a reference source quite often, they list all the minerals and semi-precious beads and focals and give VERY GOOD descriptions of what it is, what treatment it has gone through and where it comes from. I usually go to FMG catalog first and then if not there (they do not carry every mineral) to the Gemstones reference book. So I believe you could call it Tiger Iron and be pretty correct. There is a "rock guy" on this forum, but evidently he is not around all the time, he'd know in a minute if I am correct, but I believe I am. Donna