Glass & Crystal Category

Amethyst Initial Evening Bag

Artist: Rachel Rose (Olathe, KS)
Polly's Pick, Glass & Crystal

Rachel has made several of these evening bags. She says of her inspiration: "I learned how to do right-angle-weave from a book. I lived in Gallup New Mexico when I was a kid, and my father worked for the B.I.A. (Bureau of Indian Affairs). I knew about Medicine Bags that way. I'm very interested in creating my own designs ... and felt if I increased the size of an amulet bag, I could have an evening bag. I created this using just a needle and thread. The weakest point was the strap. I made the strap with thread, then ran a wire through it and crimped it. Problem solved."

This particular bag was made for Rachel's daughter Melaura, using 4mm Czech glass faceted firepolish rounds, size 11 seed beads, handmade foil-lined glass coins, potato freshwater pearls, size D SuperLon thread and 21-strand Soft Flex™ stringing cable. If you look closely, you can see a subtle "M" for Melaura in the bead design. The opposite side of the bag reveals an equally subtle heart design, for "love." Rachel designed the flap off center for a more sophisticated look.

Polly’s Picks are designs our editor especially likes despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2009 Polly's Picks. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!

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