07/24 - Cynthia Rutledge - Symbol of the West

Friday July 24
10 AM - 4 PM with a lunch break
Difficulty Level: Intermediate - advanced. No skills needed for the metal as these techniques will be taught in class.

Techniques:

Bezel work
Flat peyote stitch with increasing
Filled netting
Stitching-in-the-ditch
Tubular peyote stitch with decreasing

Few fashion jewelry statements are specific to a locale, but the Native American bolo, or bola, tie is synonymous with the Western United States, especially Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. Mid 20th century bolo ties were designed and made by Zuni, Hopi and Navajo silversmiths, and were at first, basically a sliding component designed to keep a bandana from coming off from around the neck.

Even though the history of how the bolo tie came into being is clouded, many feel that the history began with Victor E. Cedarstaff, a Native American silversmith and leather worker who lived in Wickenburg, Arizona in the 1940s. Cedarstaff was among some cowboys that were chasing after some wild horses when Cedarstaff's silver-bordered hatband slipped off, making him lose his hat. He retraced his steps to find his hat and hatband and slipped the hatband over his neck for safekeeping.

Cedarstaff decided to create a line of ties inspired by the incident. He braided leather, placed silver tips on the ends to keep them from fraying and then joined the strands with a turquoise stone to be used as an adjustable clasp. He applied for a patent, calling his creation the bola tie, named after the boleadoras cords (a throwing weapon made of round weights suspended from woven leather cording) worn by Argentinean cowboys. This iconic style changed the course of western wear!

Additions to the early designs included inlaid turquoise and shell, making these early bolo ties rare and beautiful. Today, Native American bolo ties utilize almost any material that can be inlaid into sterling silver, raising the bar for artistic license.

Symbol of the West is inspired by the early bolo styles. A "woven" peyote stitch cord ends in two bezeled metal ovals and a decorative pearl and beaded cap. The slide is actually stationery in this design. An oval metal component is the backdrop for a bezeled CZ and pear CZ drop. A bolo tie taken to another level!

Dimensions: The center component is 1.25 inches high by 2 inches wide plus the CZ drop. The necklace cord is 49 inches long including the metal and pearl drops.

Kits are mandatory and will be purchased from Cynthia closer to the date of the class.  Kits are available in the 4 colorways pictured and described below. 

Kits are $110 each plus the cost of the CZs

Kit # 1 - Gunmetal with Irid. Tahitian Swarovski Pearls

CZs for the necklace: This sample used a 10mm Moxi Luna round CZ and a 10x15mm
Alexandrite pear CZ. Other color combinations could include: White, Champagne, Lavender, Swiss Blue and Celestial Gold.

CZs for earrings: The supplies are included in your kit except the CZs. This sample used two Moxi Universe 14mm cushion-cut CZs. Other color combinations could include: White, Champagne, Lavender, Swiss Blue and Celestial Gold.

Kit #2: Light Bronze with Swarovski Mulberry Pearls

CZs for the necklace: This sample used a 10mm Lunar Lavender round CZ and a 10x15mm
Pink pear CZ. Other color combinations could include: Champagne, Lavender, Alexandrite, Moonspell, Mars Moon, Salsa Flare and Red Sizzler.

CZs for the earrings: The supplies are included in your kit except the CZs. This sample used
two Lunar Lavender 14mm cushion-cut CZs. Other color combinations could include: Pink,
Champagne, Lavender, Moonspell, Mars Moon, Salsa Flare and Red Sizzler.

Kit #3: Blue AB with Swarovski Irid. Green Pearls

CZs for the necklace: This sample used a 10mm White round CZ and a 10x15mm Celestial
Gold pear CZ. Other color combinations could include: Champagne, Chocolate, Olivine, Alexandrite, Emerald and Moonspell.

CZs for the earrings: The supplies are included in your kit except CZs. This sample used two White 14mm cushion-cut CZs. Other color combinations could include: Champagne, Chocolate, Amethyst, Olivine, Emerald and Moonspell.

Kit #4: Bronze/Lavender AB with Swarovski Peach Pearls

CZs for the necklace: This sample used a 10mm Mars Moon round CZ and a 10x15mm
Lavender pear CZ. Other color combinations could include: Pink, Champagne, Olivine,
Amethyst, Alexandrite, Peridot, Lunar Lavender, Salmon Sorbet, Celestial Gold and Moonspell.

CZs for the earrings: The supplies are included in your kit except CZs. This sample used two Lavender 14mm cushion-cut CZs. Other color combinations could include: Pink, Champagne, Olivine, Amethyst, Peridot, Lunar Lavender, Salmon Sorbet, Celestial Gold, Mars Moon and Moonspell.

Class is limited to a maximum of 20 students and minimum of 8 students. You can choose to Zoom from home or hang with others at the shop - we will be using the 51" big screen TV that I have in the shop

Cancellation policy - there is no cancellation refund for this class.