My very first cabochon...

Hi, I hope that everyone has had a wonderful weekend! I've been attempting something new. Beading around a Cabochon. First of all I had ordered a wonderful book, Beading with Cabochons by Jamie Cloud Eakin. This book has fantastic instructions, perfect photography, and teaches and shows the basic techniques and unique stitches that Jamie herself, after a decade of beading shows in this amazing and very well written book.
I gathered all my materials that I need for this project. Making sure to have the right needle, thread, backing material, glue, seed beads, and naturally a cabochon. The cabochon stone that I choose to make my first one with is a Leopardskin Jasper. Then I did take a couple of pictures and off I was on a new adventure.
Next, I cut a piece of under backing and glued my cabochon to that and let it dry. Then, I started the bead base row. This is actually the second row from the center when the cabochon is complete. I used a bead embroidery stitch called the "four-six back stitch" I continued this until I was all around the cab. Then I started my Bezel row. This row is the actual row that holds the cabochon in it's place. It sits slightly above the first row that had already been completed. This Bezel row is made with smaller size seed beads. The stitch I used this time to complete this Bezel row is the "four-two back stitch" variety. I then continued to make this stitch until I was around the entire cab. Then, with my trusty and very sharp small scissors I cut around the under backing making sure not to cut to close and not to cut thru any previous used threads. Then I cut the backing material which I choose to use faux ultra suede because it doesn't ravel. I then glued my cab onto that and let it dry. Making sure again not to cut to close or any previous used threads I cut the backing material around the cabochon. Now I made the basic edge stitch which Jamie says that it's similar to the blanket stitch used in bead embroidery. I did this stitch all the way around the cabochon. Then I found the middle, made the fringe and the used a direct attachment to connect my necklace. When it was finished I was very pleased but thought it might need something else to be complete. I thought about it and looked thru this outstanding book and found a Pointed Edge that I would have loved to have been able to add. However, when I tried, the fringe was getting in the way. So next time, before I do any fringe I'll be making another edge around the cab. But I want to introduce my very first attempt at a Cabochon and I titled this:
"The Enchanted Leopardess"











I know the pictures weren't that great, they actually came from my cell phone, but I tried. I hope that you have a awesome rest of your evening! Thanks so much for stopping in, till next time, Bead Happy!!!
Hugs...
Bobbi