La Dolce Vita Bracelet
©2014 by Cynthia Rutledge
Inspired by the work of the famous Bulgari family of goldsmiths and artisans, La Dolce Vita Bracelet, evokes the Greek and Roman heritage of a family that changed how the rich and famous looked at fine jewelry. Their innovative style of using fine gemstones that were not highly cut and faceted and use of mixed metals gained them the prominent position of being one of the world's finest designers.
La Dolce Vita means "the sweet life". Elizabeth Taylor once said that she only needed to know one word in Italian…"Bulgari! Her association with Bulgari led to one of the worlds most fabulous private collections of fine jewelry.
A beautiful cushion cut CZ is set into a highly decorative bezel using peyote stitch, netting and lacing techniques. Crystals, offer a touch of sparkle, along the bottom edge of the bezel adding just the right accent. A beautiful knit cable, with a structured core, is used to create the bracelet and the bezel embellishment to the bracelet. Ending with two beaded cones and a beautiful clasp, the bracelet certainly symbolizes La Dolce Vita!
The focal component is 1 inch across. The bracelet width is 5/8 inch and the length is as desired. Sample is 7 1/2 inches long.
Techniques:
Flat peyote stitch with decreasing on the edge
Tubular peyote stitch with increasing and decreasing
Step-up/step-down odd count peyote stitch
Edge stitching
Stitch-in-the-ditch techniques
Netting techniques
Skill level: Advanced