The Silver Venetian - Weekend Update
Still in the design stages for my new gown, which means I've been poring over every portrait and sketch that I can find online, looking for inspiration, backup, and double checking what I've already planned to do.
I'm currently collecting accessories, which will include:
Am looking at these absolutely delicious faux-sapphire brooches from Cheep Trims and envisioning a new set of jewels based on them. At only $0.50 apiece and sold a dozen at a time, I can't resist! They're listed as 1.25 x 0.75 inches, which will make them large enough to be seen if I set them in my girdle or use as other embellishments.
I need to do some reading on common stone cuts during that era, because these are most definitely foiled cabochons and I don't know how popular that would be. It's difficult to tell in the paintings whether gems are faceted or not, although polishing a cabochon would seem to be a simpler means of finishing it rather than taking the time to do the careful calculations necessary to cut facets.
My main concern is that they're set in antiqued silver. Gold seems to be the de rigueur choice for textile patterning, trim, and jewelry in Venice. Silver is my personal precious metal of choice, and it contrasts nicely with my complexion. My modern sensibility says to set off a grey / blue gown with silver trim, but at the same time I fear it will make the entire ensemble look "off" to anyone who is familiar with the period and location.
I'll have to wait until I have them in my hands before I decide what to do. If necessary, I'll use a liquid gold craft marker to change the setting into a more suitable shade, especially if I decide to mix them with the faux-pearl buttons also from Cheep Trims. The buttons are 5/8 inch across, and I'd like to use them at the junctures in the split sleeves I'm planning, much as the Eleonora de Toledo portrait shows her sleeves embellished with (bejeweled?) rosettes. Not sure if I'd like them in the girdle as well, but since they're shank buttons it would make construction quite a bit easier. At $5 for 288 (versus $3 for 12 on eBay), I won't have to be stingy with how I use them.
Also just won an auction of new and vintage jewelry items at $4.99 plus $5.20 shipping for 42 pins, necklaces, and earrings in gold, including at least one strand of (fake) pearls. Definitely seeing some potential girdle pieces in the large-link necklaces, one of which seems to include caged pearls. Would like to remove the chain tassel from one of them and use it to replace the feather fan at the end of my red girdle. Plus there are a ton of brooches that I'm sure can be re-purposed :). Better pictures to follow when I can take my own.
The only hangup is the ever-present financial one. I make it a rule never to spend online more than is currently in my PayPal account. I consider that money my play money that I'm free to spend however I wish, and often transfer the surplus into my bank account to help pay down the credit card bills accrued from m'lord's medical expenses. At the moment, I haven't had a lot of corset sales to boost my balance. I am finishing up an order for a university theatre group, so there should be some funds within the next couple weeks.
It wouldn't be so much of an issue if Cheep Trims didn't have a $65 minimum order - not that it's difficult to spend that much there, just that I'd rather not if I didn't have to. From a long term perspective though, there are many things from there that I can and should pick up to help with my costuming sales, since they are by far the most reasonably priced trim / ribbon / etc site I've come across. Things that they sell for pennies by the yard go for $ on eBay. Spending $65 now on velvet ribbon to use as hem guards, the aforementioned brooches and buttons, and an assortment of other trims will be a much needed bonus as the right trim really does make a garment. I should be thinking of it not that I'm spending that much on this one gown, just that part of that sum is directly intended for this project. The rest I'll incorporate into other things.
I'm currently collecting accessories, which will include:
- Necklace(s). Searching for a cheap pearl choker, which doesn't have to be real (I rather like the look and weight of glass pearls), and possibly a longer strand of pearls around 28-36 inches that will hang down to my waist. May try and wear a long gold chain with suitably gemmed pendant instead.
- Rings. I already have a round cut "ruby" jade ring set in very yellow gold leftover from my red Venetian ensemble. Searching for emerald cut gems set in yet more yellow gold, possibly with filigree settings.
- Earrings. I made a lovely pair of dangle earrings using peach colored glass pearls and antiqued gold finish oak leaf findings for the red Venetian as well. Not sure if I'll keep them, or make / find something new.
- Girdle. Again, made one to go with the previous gown. I spent so long putting it together and am so pleased with it that I would feel bad taking it apart to redo. Since the new theme colors are silver grey and blue, the red beads definitely wouldn't cut it. It's been suggested that I bring multiple outfits if I head to the War, and all things considered, the red gown is probably salvageable if I redo the sleeves, so I don't want to completely disassemble all of its accessories. I'd like to detach the fan from the end of the girdle though, and put it on its own chain so that I can have it hanging at my side even when I change girdles.
- Bracelets. Made a pair with gold filigree beads, pearls, and faceted red beads to accompany...yeah...that gown. I'll just keep them as is, since they complete the look. So the search has begun for new ones, preferably set with darker stones. Amethyst, sapphire, tanzanite, and aquamarine top my list for coordinating gems, but I can't imagine shelling out more for the jewelry than I spend on the entire gown since I'd like the stones to be sizable. Another foray into costume jewelry will be required.
Am looking at these absolutely delicious faux-sapphire brooches from Cheep Trims and envisioning a new set of jewels based on them. At only $0.50 apiece and sold a dozen at a time, I can't resist! They're listed as 1.25 x 0.75 inches, which will make them large enough to be seen if I set them in my girdle or use as other embellishments.
I need to do some reading on common stone cuts during that era, because these are most definitely foiled cabochons and I don't know how popular that would be. It's difficult to tell in the paintings whether gems are faceted or not, although polishing a cabochon would seem to be a simpler means of finishing it rather than taking the time to do the careful calculations necessary to cut facets.
My main concern is that they're set in antiqued silver. Gold seems to be the de rigueur choice for textile patterning, trim, and jewelry in Venice. Silver is my personal precious metal of choice, and it contrasts nicely with my complexion. My modern sensibility says to set off a grey / blue gown with silver trim, but at the same time I fear it will make the entire ensemble look "off" to anyone who is familiar with the period and location.
I'll have to wait until I have them in my hands before I decide what to do. If necessary, I'll use a liquid gold craft marker to change the setting into a more suitable shade, especially if I decide to mix them with the faux-pearl buttons also from Cheep Trims. The buttons are 5/8 inch across, and I'd like to use them at the junctures in the split sleeves I'm planning, much as the Eleonora de Toledo portrait shows her sleeves embellished with (bejeweled?) rosettes. Not sure if I'd like them in the girdle as well, but since they're shank buttons it would make construction quite a bit easier. At $5 for 288 (versus $3 for 12 on eBay), I won't have to be stingy with how I use them.
Also just won an auction of new and vintage jewelry items at $4.99 plus $5.20 shipping for 42 pins, necklaces, and earrings in gold, including at least one strand of (fake) pearls. Definitely seeing some potential girdle pieces in the large-link necklaces, one of which seems to include caged pearls. Would like to remove the chain tassel from one of them and use it to replace the feather fan at the end of my red girdle. Plus there are a ton of brooches that I'm sure can be re-purposed :). Better pictures to follow when I can take my own.
The only hangup is the ever-present financial one. I make it a rule never to spend online more than is currently in my PayPal account. I consider that money my play money that I'm free to spend however I wish, and often transfer the surplus into my bank account to help pay down the credit card bills accrued from m'lord's medical expenses. At the moment, I haven't had a lot of corset sales to boost my balance. I am finishing up an order for a university theatre group, so there should be some funds within the next couple weeks.
It wouldn't be so much of an issue if Cheep Trims didn't have a $65 minimum order - not that it's difficult to spend that much there, just that I'd rather not if I didn't have to. From a long term perspective though, there are many things from there that I can and should pick up to help with my costuming sales, since they are by far the most reasonably priced trim / ribbon / etc site I've come across. Things that they sell for pennies by the yard go for $ on eBay. Spending $65 now on velvet ribbon to use as hem guards, the aforementioned brooches and buttons, and an assortment of other trims will be a much needed bonus as the right trim really does make a garment. I should be thinking of it not that I'm spending that much on this one gown, just that part of that sum is directly intended for this project. The rest I'll incorporate into other things.