3/14/2025

Tackle that stash - Crystal Arrow

For those who don't know it yet, I'm (half) Swabian from Southwest Germany. Like all regions, we have our own stereotypes attached to us, one of them being that we don't like to part with our money.
Sometimes I have a bout of frugality myself about using up bits of stuff. Do you save thread, wire, bits of fabric etc.? Then you may able to understand what I'm talking about.
I don't really do it in an organized way, though. I sometimes save lengths of thread I know I will be able to use because that thread is not available in Germany and it's true I don't like to part with my money if it's for crazy postage fees ... and yes, postage has become more than crazy.
I also save beading foundation and backing if I think I will be able to do something with it. If it's a weird shape, that can even challenge me and be a lot of fun like the "Mod heart" pendant.


It can also be a challenge if it has a weird shape and is also quite small which brings me to today's stash tackler. It has been around for a while and it was high time to finish it.

The starting point of this piece was the shape of the beading foundation which reminded me of an arrow.
Being quite small, the arrow needed something to make it really pop, so I went through my stash and found a tube in which I had collected different beads, among them red crystals, some small and opaque, the others large, transparent, and very sparkly.

I don't usually wear red a lot myself although I like the color, but red in jewelry has something special. Not only does it pop off an outfit and can therefore set a stunning accent without being too overwhelming, but it always gives me that cool gothic vampire vibe that I love.
Black and red is a favorite color combination of mine and if Gundel weren't so strict about not wearing any costumes, I would love to give her a little black cloak with red satin lining
😼

For this piece's size, however, red and black seemed to be too much, so I chose one of my favorite seed bead reds instead. It's gorgeous, rich and dark with a beautiful luster. I used black thread to give it an even darker touch.
At first, I wanted to turn it into a necklace and maybe add a heart or something, but the arrow was too wide for that to work. I decided it had to shine on its own and the obvious choice was to make it into a brooch!
Can you imagine this on a black coat or jacket or another kind of top?


6 comments:

  1. This is absolutely stunning, Cat! You have such a gift at mixing different sized beads organically and making it look amazing. I love it. (I wonder what postage U.S. like between Germany and Albania….)

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    1. Thank you very much!
      I already checked, but actually with Albania not being part of the EU, postage is the same as to the US.
      However, you know that my offer of a housewarming gift stands!

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  2. I love red and have this tiny ladybug pin on my jacket today. What a creative way to use leftover pieces of backing!
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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    Replies
    1. Oh, that sounds very cute, I love ladybugs!
      Thank you very much, my brain just loves challenges like these.

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  3. What a gorgeous piece. The red will really pop as a brooch!

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