Center Focal Beads

By Sandy Paluzzi
   The Bead Peddler® 

Focal beads draw the eye and force the viewer's attention.  They can add interest to a plain bead as seen below with the central cloisonne beaded bracelet.  Like our goddess bead, they can be works of art themselves and set the tone for an entire piece of jewelry.  Or they can add an extra panache to a piece of jewelry that could stand on its own as illustrated in the jewelry set made by Cheryl Haglund.

Next month we'll be talking about multi strand jewelry.  The jewelry can have as many strands as you want.  The whole design doesn't have to be multi stranded.  The additional strands can be used in part of the necklace to add interest to a design or they can constitute the whole necklace.  Email your pictures to spaluzzi@beadingtimes.com to submit them.  As always, space is limited and designs are juried.  We'll get back to you as soon as we receive your picture.

	Focal beads are wonderful when used on bracelets as well as necklaces.  In this case, I used a cloisonne centerpiece with accents in the same color as the surrounding beads.
	Closeup of the goddess focal bead made by Barb Wolf www.barbwolfbeads.com.  Inez Negrete has done an excellent job of surrounding Barb's focal with seed beads to create a truly mythical necklace.  This reminds me of a wood nymph and wants me to celebrate spring.
	When I look at this earth tone  necklace I think of the warmth of a fire. Note how the design surrounding the focal piece can stand on its own in the bracelet.  Jewelry set made by  Cheryl Haglund.

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