Megan Noël's Beaded Amulet Purses

This was the first amulet purse which I made in 1995. When I first started doing bead embroidery, Most of my work was monochrome. I still enjoy experimenting with texture in a single color.

This is an early purse. I wanted to try to use some of the smallest beads I have. It includes seed beads size 18 and smaller and a vintage glass cabychon. Some of the beads are more than 100 years old. I got these beads from Empyrean Beads When I started bead embroidery I did not use bright colors. This was a challenge! Now I enjoy working with color.

I made this purse for my mother for Christmas in 1996. I combined iris beads with black matte beads. I often forgo fringe on the bottom of my purses and put it on the sides.

I made this purse in 1997. I really enjoyed combining matte and opaque beads. The branched fringe completed the look I wanted. I enjoyed creating this piece so much that I made a matching evening purse, which can be seen on the Evening Purse Page. Both pieces appeared in the Absolutely Beads show in 1997.

I made this purse in early 1998 after completeing the Aegean Blue Amulet Purse. As with the previous purse, I embroidered both the back and the front. I especially enjoyed creating the stylized branched and leaves in the upper right corner. I always put precious beads in the strap; this strap includes lampworked beads and crystals.

I took a class from Linda Buck in 1994. It was the very first beading class I ever took. (I found it easier to learn RAW using 3 beads on a side. Also you can embellish it with diagonal rows.) For several years I did not do anything with the stitch. Then in 1996 I started making netted bags. They are fun and easy. I usually use matte beads and embellish with iris beads of the same color.