Helen's Tiara

Deadlines are important for me.  I had set to work on this peacock tiara for Helen and since bead embroidery doesn't always keep my attention I kept setting it down.  It's been a year.  When she requested that I get it to her before an event she wants to wear it to in February it started living next to the couch so I would pick it up a little bit every day after work.  I got it done this week and I'm meeting her tonight so she can finish this into a tiara. 

I know Helen through the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild which has Fashion show every year where Helen shows off her amazing vintage dance dresses at.  One year I told her if she was ever to want to part with a particular piece, to let me know.  Consequently, she did as it wasn't quite as long as she'd like.  So we have been working on a trade.  When she came to me with this idea I was excited to do it and she even had a design to work off of for the peacock feathers.  We got the size down and she gave me some vintage beads to work with.  I also used gold and silver from my stash to make it a versatile metallic piece to go with many of her outfits.

(back side detail)

I was very attracted to the amber colored vintage seed beads she gave me so I'm hoping it's not too brown-heavy.  I kept picking them out as I went along.  I'm happy to breath a sign of relief having this done early enough to give her some time with it.

I found two articles on Helen if you want to took into her more, I'm not sure she has a website (I'll ask tonight and update if so):

https://www.designsfordancing.com/Helen-Welford.html

https://annarborobserver.com/articles/sewing_up_history.html#.XiRh_flKipp

This is the piece that we traded for, it's just wonderful 

and I make sure I have occasion to wear it.  <3 p="">

(Photo by Eat Pomegranate Photography)

I almost forgot that I wanted to do a weaving update too.  I'm about 8 inches along on the large Leaf Me Alone piece that I've been putting off working on for far too long!  I did a few small ones but its time to go bigger again.

Tiny Leaf Earrings

I know I keep saying that I'll be making less jewelry, but I did want to do a quick post about these tiny leaf posts I made over the holidays.  I think I finally solved my problem of getting these pieces on to posts in a manner that I am happy with which is still stitched on.  

These actually came about with the extra small delicas I was working with for The Classic Cuff Bangle.  I wanted to try making a tiny leaf for my second ear lobe piercing which I usually wear a smaller earrings in.  The above white ones worked perfect.  

So I made a few for my holiday shows to see how they did.  My customers who don't wear dangle earrings are really appreciating this new design and they have gone over quite well. I think I'll be continuing to make them in between my weaving and house projects. 

To be honest, I also was excited to have them for the below display (I tried out at Not So Silent Night).  I've been lugging around this old display that they were throwing away at Chico's when I was at the Boulder, CO store and I am happy to have a good use for it!  It's a nice little display for the dangle earrings too, but not when they're too long and really they look less messy displayed in the top of the luggage case I use (below photo to the the right).