Description
About the Beaded Locket
I designed this beaded locket as I was exploring ideas for my Keepsake Cards project. I was looking at ways in which I could develop the card idea. Since I had already designed an ‘aperture’ card, I realised this was just like a picture frame. So the idea of a beaded locket sprang from there.
I also wanted to look at adding three-dimensional adornments to the front of a card. So I took a Rivoli and worked out how to bezel around it to form a heart. I had originally thought to put this on a Valentine’s card, but I realised that it would be perfect for the beaded locket. After all, lockets are about carrying around a memento of someone or something that we love.
Tips and techniques
The front of the locket is constructed using circular peyote stitch. The back of the beaded locket is made using even count Peyote, incorporating a pattern into the design.
So if you think you might need help with following the pattern, you can find a handy free tutorial here. Both halves of the locket incorporate a frame into which you can slide a tiny photo. The beaded locket measures about 2″ (5cm), so it the perfect size for a pendant. You will be working with Delica beads so that you get a really regular shape. I used a few peanut beads to add some adornment to disguise the join between the two halves and add interest to the locket. The whole design is finished with a little peyote stitch beaded bail.
The instructions do make some references to the Keepsake cards book from which this design originated. I had originally planned to include the locket in the book, but I ran out of space! If you would like to find out more about the Keepsake Cards book, then follow this link.
