The pendant shown in the last post required the use of hidden metal for stabilization. While this may be a common technique, I’ve not previously read about it; yet it makes sense. I’ve worried about the use of small cabochons in bead embroidery since the surface area for gluing them is so small. Speculating that more stabilization behind them might help this problem, I’ve been adding a piece of sheet copper or brass behind these pendants between the embroidered top and the Ultra suede bottom. This is likened to the way embroidered cuffs on metal blanks come together. The metal piece for each pendant is the same shape, but slightly smaller that the embroidery work. I’ve been experimenting with this since last July and thus far the technique has been successful. It has helped the pendants remain crisply shaped. My thought is that the more a piece bends, the more likely the cabs to come undone. Other posts with pictures of designs using this technique are dated January 14, 2009, December 26, 2008 and December 28, 2008. There are, of course, other ways to stabilize a piece including adding extra layers of Lacy’s Stiff Stuff, but I’ve found the metal approach quite satisfactory without significantly adding extra thickness.

A new challenge is to incorporate this technique in a manner that tastefully exposes part of the sheet metal with the bead embroidery. That potentially yummy recipe sits simmering on a back burner but is rapidly approaching a boil. We’ll see if anything cooks up.