Rectangular Beaded Reducation Bar

Last weekend I began creating the bar that will be used to reduce the three strands to a single strand in the turquoise slab necklace.  This weekend I finished the embellishments.  I am really pleased with this beaded bead. 

Here is a front view:

Beaded bead as reduction bar for turquoise slab necklace

I wanted to make the back side pretty as well as accessible as an alternative look so I embellished the back side a bit differently:

Beaded bead as reduction bar for turquoise slab necklace

This beaded bead started out as a flat right angle weave out of 8/0 Turquoise AB Czech beads.  When I added the first layer of embellishment the bead work tightened and the long edges curled.  That was all the inspiration I needed to join the two edges with more right angle weave and another round of embellishment.  Here is a side view propped against the turquoise slab to give you an idea of proportion:

Side view beaded reduction bar with bezeled turquoise slab

One more side view:

Side by side beaded reduction bar and turquoise slab

Because everyone loves pictures here is another view of the front with the bezeled turquoise slab:

Front of beaded reduction bar and bezeled turquoise slab

One more picture, this time the back of the beaded reduction bar and the bezeled turquoise slab:

Back of beaded reduction bar and bezeled turquoise slab

As I said above, I am happy with the beaded bead.  I had many pass throughs, so the closeups show the fireline thread.  They will not catch attention once this is a part of the necklace.

As to the necklace, I still need to complete the neck strap.  I have not decided between my favorite, tubular peyote or tubular herringbone.  The peyote will be stronger but not as fluid.  I think I am going to opt for the fluid.  If you have a suggestion, I am all ears.  I need to make some bead caps- now if I can just find that piece of pattern that I use.  Finally, I need to make the toggle.  It is all simple weaving and assembly from here on in.