Flashback - the "Op Art" Cuff...

I’ve finally finished this cuff! I started it months ago, but I kept getting sidetracked with other projects so it had been sorely neglected.  Comprised of six colors of 11/0 seed beads and accented with my handmade bronze clasp ring, it measures a little over an inch in width.   Tiny textured bronze metal clay disks accent the surface of the cuff and  sparkly Swarovski Lochrosen crystals perch in their centers.  Are you wondering about the title?  It hales from the 1960’s when Pop Art was the rage.  A spin-off of Pop Art was Op Art, referring to art that creates optical illusion -  visually perceived images that differ from objective reality.  As I designed the graph for this piece, I started with teardrop shapes composed of several colors intersected with undulating ribbons of contrast color.  Depending on the light, this design somewhat plays tricks on one’s eyes.  I really like the autumnal colors of this piece, but had it been made in hot pink, acid green, stark white and black beads, it would fit right in with  fashion of the 60’s.  Rudy Gernreich and Mary Quant clothing would have been perfectly accessorized with this “hip” design. 

Stay tuned, I’ll have the pattern and  beading kit in my Etsy shop tomorrow!