The Tubular Series: Navy and Blue Lace

The best Blue Lace Agate comes from Namibia and this large pendant with its dangle of matching Blue Lace Agate shows the best of the type. The light blue is paler than sky blue with delicate white rings and swirls throughout. I set it in navy blue Czech #11 beads, and the pendant is held with magnetic clasps so that the necklace rope can be worn without the pendant. Completed 10-21-09 >>MPK

The Tubular Series: Blue Russian

Like the red Russian pendant, this signed miniature painting of blue flowers is charming and called for a setting that wouldn't overpower it. Adding galvanized Czech silvery beads to the light blue, both in size 11, brought out the natural spiral in the Tubular Peyote rope necklace. A silver disc toggle clasp and matching earrings completed the set. Completed 11-14-09 >>MPK

The Tubular Series: Red Russian

A hand-painted Russian lacquer pendant was the inspiration for this necklace. The signed piece is enclosed such that the signature on the back can still be seen. Since this method of bead enclosure remains on the edge of the piece, no glue is needed. A magnetic clasp is hidden in the "flower" on the rope. Coraling earrings complete the set. Completed 3-23-10 >>MPK

The Tubular Series: Tiger and Grey

The stone called Tiger Eye is actually quartz which has infiltrated and petrified asbestos into this beautiful material. Since the chatoyance travels only in one direction, I set the two stones so that their axes glow in opposite directions, making the pendant distinctive no matter which way it is turned. The pendant hangs from Tubular Peyote rope and a pair of coraling earrings complete the set. Completed 11-17-09 >>MPK

The Tubular Series: Imperial Jasper

This purplish stone from Zacatecas, Mexico, called Imperial Jasper, also comes in green. The purple ranges from very pale to medium color and is often tinged with green. However this cabochon cut by MacNeal contains only the striped purple material. I married it with Japanese "frosted root beer" #11 beads in a simple enclosure and rope necklace. This necklace looks stunning against soft gray. Completed 10-25-09 >>MPK

The Tubular Series: Matte Mix 101

I have posted work made with this mix of beads before. Available from Shipwreck Beads, I only added matte black beads to bring out the matrix in the turquoise stone. The stone is from the Morenci Mine. I bought it as a specimen but always wanted to turn it into a pendant. I had enclosed it with a backing years ago, but never quite knew what to do with it from there. Learning the Tubular Peyote technique gave me the opportunity to give the pendant a complimentary rope, instead of a plain beaded string. The rope can also be worn without the pendant thanks to a magnetic clasp. Completed 9-09 >>MPK

The Tubular Series: Apple green

Early in 2009, I learned how to make tubular peyote stitch. It can be used for many things - from amulet bags to rings, but the solution for me was to use it for a more substantial necklace rope from which to hang pendants. The pendant in this necklace is Mexican Opal set in sterling. I had worn it on a plain silver snake chain. But it wasn't always long enough to go over collars, or versatile enough to be shortened. Besides, I wanted something that had more color than just a metal chain. It is also long enough to be worn without the pendant, singly, and/or knotted.
I learned the technique from Beading With Peyote Stitch, by Jeannette Cook and Vicki Star, a great source book for peyote technique. This necklace was completed 3-10 >>MPK