First Medieval Gown Complete

Yesterday I was looking at my pile of fabric and dreaming of what I could create. One fabric in particular caught my eye, a golden brown panne, so I thought I would give it a whirl.

The fabric draped so beautifully that it had to be a long tunic that has a small train.

Because I have the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival in mind for these gowns, my goal was to make a dress that was versatile in size. I have heard that some where where the costumes during the parade while the temp may be at -30 degrees. A dress that could be worn over some insulated undergarments that would also fit without the undergarments is ideal I accomplished this by putting lacing over the shoulder so that it can be drawn up. I also added full lacing down the side from the bust to drop over the hips.

I was really pleased when I took it to the Main Street Exchange in Saranac Lake. Sarah, who works there, tried it on. The dress form is a size 12 with room to spare. But look how well the adjusters worked on Sarah, Her Majesty, a size 6.

Find it here in my Etsy

Dreaming

Today I am looking at my stacks of fabric and dreaming what to make. Since the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is only 5 weeks away, I must get busy cutting, sewing and trimming to make these costumes available for the festivities.

This is only a portion of the many wonderful textures I have to create with. Today's project will be with a golden brown velveteen. I will post pictures later!

Debbie

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival 2011

This winter I find myself residing in Saranac Lake, NY. I am very excited about the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival 2011 that will be in February because I am told that there will be people in costume for the Medieval theme. With that in mind, I am dreaming up new designs just for the carnival. Keep watching because I will be posting my progress on these creations.

Chandelier Earrings: My First Attempt

Over the past couple years I had been investing in jewelry making supplies with good intentions. But so often we buy all of these supplies then never take the time to really work it out. Just recently had a get together with some friends to relearn some techniques and it was just what I needed to "revive" my interest.

One style of earring that I love is those chandeliers that come from South America made of silver and beads. I was amazed to find out that the parts that make up these delicate pieces are all hand made by women as they sit on the street corners creating!

Armed with tools, silver wire, beads and a nail, I was ready to tackle my first pair.The spirals were pretty easy to make using a common nail rather than an expensive tool. I wrapped the nail 10 times with the silver wire, slid it off then flattened it.

From here I slipped a wire through the center to make it a hanger.
You can imagine that by now I am getting pretty excited! They were coming together nicely and it was fairly easy to do. So now I was ready to form the top.

I made a loop with two remaining post. These I beaded with twisted silver. Each dangle off the bottom was made of silver post, beaded and hung from a jump ring.

I wanted to hang a small pearl in the very center, but there was no place to do that from. I realized that I should have used a jump ring at the very top to hang the two side post from. That way I could have easily added the center embellishment.

Here is my finished product. After I quickly publish this post I am heading right out to the bead shop and fill my head with visions of the creative possibilities!