Many years ago, on a trip to Mexico, I saw jewel encrusted living beetle jewelry. I was stunned to see these beetles crawling along the guy’s shirt, in and out of his pocket. Colorful crystals were stuck on this beetle and it was tethered by a gold plated chain with a safety pin. I found out later that Maquech beetle jewelry was popular with the Mayans hundreds of years ago. These are a type of beetles that live on decaying wood and very little water. Maquech beetle was the inspiration for Maki Beetle Necklace. It could be a brooch or stitched to an evening clutch. The focal stone is a handmade bead from India. The beetle is bead embroidered in earth tones that ancient Maya used in their art. The pendant hangs from a simple beaded chain.
Techniques: Bead Embroidery, bead weaving, basic wire skills for making legs. Includes peyote stitch, back stitch, fringe and other embellishment stitches.
Size: Pendant is 1 ¾” x 1 ½”, not including legs and feelers. Chain is 24” long, no clasp.
The focal cab/bead can be 22mm x 16mm, 15x20 or 18x25 mm for the body of beetle. (The size on the picture is 22x16.) Other items are all seed beads and round beads. Long headpins and eyepins for legs are required. Detailed materials list will be sent to the students.
Size 10 and 12 needle
Thread One G or similar
Scissors
Gel pen
Glue E 6000 or any suitable glue
Thread burner
Round nose and Chain nose pliers