Bead Encrusted Cabochons/Buttons

LESSON ONE Please READ THE ENTIRE LESSON Before Beginning. Objectives for Lesson One: Select and gather supplies; learn to select appropriate cabochons for easy beading; and secure selected buttons and cabochon to a beading surface.

GENERAL:
This class will provide you instruction on the creation of three beaded cabochon/ buttons of varied size, shape, and color with varied fringe techniques to complete the overall design. These will be free-standing objects; not adhered to a project. They can have a tie-tack or brooch style pin glued to the back, or can be couched down to a project through the beaded fringe. A real cabochon is a natural stone that has a flat back. Today, cabochons are also often manufactured of resin, acrylic, or glass; and might include a raised cameo or artistic scene on the front surface. Some manufactured cabochons can also be smooth on the front with a faux artwork decal adhered or include a hand-painted scene. Large flat backed beads can also be treated as cabochons. Copyright 2012 by Shawkl Designs, All Rights Reserved
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An internet search for cabochon or cameo will provide you with multiple sources for these flat-back styles. During this class, you will gain knowledge to assist you in producing other types of beaded objects similar to the class cabochons and learn general techniques of surface beading as well. You should have these items on hand for this class:

SUPPLIES:
Three round or oval shaped cabochons (substitute: buttons with a metal shank for at least one) E-6000 Glue (available in Walmart craft section and at hobby stores) and scraps of felt (your color choice) for base. One spool of nylon beading thread (size OO, or O) in neutral color or color to match beads. Beading needle, #12 or #11 (must be able to pass through the Size 15 beads) For each cabochon: 3-grams Size 11 seed beads, of uniform shape in color to match cabochon (Delicas) 3-grams Size 15 seed beads of uniform shape in color to match cabochon (Rocailles or Delicas) For one cabochon: Size 3mm crystal bicones in color to match one cabochon A kit is available for this course at Maureens Vintage Acquisitions that contains the actual buttons, cabochons, and beads photographed in the instruction lessons.

Copyright 2012 by Shawkl Designs, All Rights Reserved

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SELECTING CABOCHONS:
Cabochons come in a large variety of shapes and styles. They have varied heights (thickness) and some might have etched, stenciled, embossed, or painted images on the front. While most can be successfully beaded; some are not as good to work with as others. Shank buttons can also be used for beaded cabochons if the shank can be removed. Glass buttons can have metal or glass shanks. While the glass shanks can not be removed, these can be used if you do not mind cutting your background fabric base to allow the shank to protrude from the back. However, the finished cabochon will not lay completely flat. Here are the critical areas to consider when selecting cabochons (or buttons) for beading: ShapeCan the shape easily accommodate a surround of beads? Ovals and circles are ideal for beading. Other shapes (square, teardrop, rectangle) with rounded corners can also be beaded. Shapes with sharp points, many dips and valleys, or rough edges may be impossible to bead as a free-standing cabochon. These shapes might be used in surface beading projects if adhered directly to the project before you begin to bead. They would not be suitable for this class. Copyright 2012 by Shawkl Designs, All Rights Reserved
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HeightAre the sides of the cabochon/bead uniform in height? Consistency in the height or depth of the cabochon sides will result in a smooth beaded surface. Some cabochons have varied side heights because the cabochon is created in a mold that allows high and low sides (as in the photo to the right). These can be beaded, but the result is uneven and not as generally pleasing as those cabochons with the same height around the entire shape. The height can be low or high, thin or thick depth...as long as that height is consistent. These bottom photos show a thin and a thick cabochon...each is consistently shaped, although their depth is different. Both would be easy to bead. Both of these specific cabochons have a flat top; BUT that is not important. The amount of dome is not an issue when beading, its the uneven amount of side height.

Copyright 2012 by Shawkl Designs, All Rights Reserved

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If we think of the side edge of the cabochon as a wall...it does not matter how tall that wall is...only that the wall does not fall and rise. Here is the same shape cabochon as the uneven one before (in a different color)...after beading. Note that the amount of beads on the top front appear to be are different than at the sides and bottom. They are the same amount of beads; but since the top wall was thicker than the sides and bottom, some beads are still hugging the wall while the others are laying on top. Surface Image Style/SizeWill the image be impaired when you complete your beading? Some cabochons with etched fronts or with painted, stenciled, or other images on the front are best put into a jewelry setting and not beaded. These have images that cover the entire cabochon, or a critical part of the image extends to (or almost to) the edge. Once beaded, the image will be partly covered and might appear crowded. This photo shows cabochons that leave plenty of room for beading around the edges because the images have not covered the entire front surface area. Copyright 2012 by Shawkl Designs, All Rights Reserved
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This photo shows cabochons that leave an adequate amount of space to allow one row of Size 15 beads before the design. They are snug, but not impossible to work with. In my experience, most of the manufactured cabochons will fall into this category if they have etched or decal fronts. A single row of reduction when beading is best in these types of cabochons. When an image is spread over the entire front of the cabochon it is not really possible to keep the beads from encroaching on that images space. Here is a cabochon that was beaded and you can see that the heads of the people reflected in the image have been shaved off slightly. This cabochon was designed for a thin jewelry setting and not for beading. Even so, it is still very pretty...although not Copyright 2012 by Shawkl Designs, All Rights Reserved
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This Cameo Cabochon is a good example of a single reduction row done in a second bead color. The beads on the side (and fringe) are Size #11 Delicas in copper color and the reduction row of beads are Size #15 Rocailles in a cream color. As stated earlier, cabochons have a flat back but can be flat or domed on the front. Some are even faceted style stones. Commonly, they will be etched (far left side of photo) or decaled (center of photo) or rounded as smooth/faceted (far right side of photo). The backs are always flat.

Beads and Buttons:

Beads with flat backs, shank buttons or flat buttons without visible holes can be beaded in the same manner as you would a cabochon. Copyright 2012 by Shawkl Designs, All Rights Reserved
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Beads can be stitched to a background support base, such as felt; but shank buttons or cabochons should be glued on to stabilize them. Flat cutters are best for removing button shanks; especially if the button is glass. Traditional wire cutters can be used if you are very cautious. Metal snips should not be used. When cutting the shank off, be careful not to twist or you could damage the button. Glass buttons can break and metal buttons can warp. It is okay to leave a sharp cut edge or even a tiny bit of shank during this removal process. This small amount of shank will just bury itself into the felt base during the glue phase of preparation. Shank buttons come in a huge variety and are much more easily found than standard cabochons. Just remember that the top of the button must allow room for the row(s) of reduction beads to surround it. My favorite buttons for beading are Czech Glass Buttons because they are so beautiful, however other button types can be used. Copyright 2012 by Shawkl Designs, All Rights Reserved
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Preparing to Bead:
Select three cabochons or buttons to work with. If you purchased a kit for this class you will have two cabochons and one Czech glass button (with shank) similar to these in the picture. Remove the shank from all buttons. Each cabochon/button will be glued to a background surface for beading. This makes them easy to handle when beading, and provides a surface to secure the fringe to as well. My recommended backing is felt, and only a scrap is required. Felted wool, fleece, or other thick fabric is okay to substitute. Thin leather or vinyl are also candidates if you do not mind working the needle through this denser materiel. Cut a piece of felt (or other materiel) measuring about one inch wider and longer than the shape of your selected cabochon/button. Place a dot of E-6000 glue in the center of the cabochon back and press it to the scrap of felt. Let dry overnight with the felt side pointing up. Each of the three cabochons/buttons should be on a different piece of felt. Copyright 2012 by Shawkl Designs, All Rights Reserved
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Lesson One, Exercise 1

1. Read the Entire Lesson 2. Select your cabochons. 3. OR, If you purchased the kit, search the internet for photos of other appropriate cabochons. 4. Post a photo of your selected cabochons (or photos) in your Photo Album on the Yahoo Class Site. 5. Class discussion will be on styles of cabochon and buttons that can be easily beaded.

Lesson One, Exercise 2

1. Use the E-6000 glue to adhere your cabochons or buttons (with shank removed) to your felt pieces. 2. Post a photo of your prepared felt pieces.

Remember to post any questions to the group message board. Ill get back to you just as soon as I can. Ill be reading the board each day during the class. Copyright 2012 by Shawkl Designs, All Rights Reserved
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