... the riveter

One of the brothers hit his thumb today while trying to fix his armor, so while he was seeing to that, I went outside and finished the riveting for him. I felt very accomplished.

8.5 hours until we leave for Pennsic 38. I think I'm actually all packed, which unfortunately includes my camera (so no photos of my pretty new earrings I made to bring along today (as a break from the last minute sewing and packing.)) Also made a few chainmaille holders for site tokens. I'm hoping for good weather, and looking forward to great battles, wonderful shopping, and unforgettable times with my favorite medieval re-enactors.

Duchessa and Prints by Duchessa are both on vacation mode, but everything will be back as soon as I return next weekend. Once Pennsic is done with, I'm planning for some new stuff (maybe even including new things I learn this week!)

Woad is me!

Leaving for Pennsic in just about 27 hours! Pennsic being the weeklong medieval camping trip I've been making myself crazy preparing for.

Today I went digging through everything in an effort to find some accessories. I found some, and also the woad powder I bought at Pennsic last year. Needless to say, my hands got very blue!

Below, our camp chicken, roosting on the underdress I made for Mel. He was a quick project, probably under half an hour. We needed livestock for camp, so...chicken!

Even with my vast collection, I suddenly got self concious about my jewelry. I decided I needed some medieval jewelry fit for a queen since I'm sort of playing one. I made a lovely necklace with pearls and coral barrel beads, with sterling silver accents, and am working on another with moonstone so bright it nearly glows. Did some wire linking with snowflake obsidian and lovely black and green stone I forgot the name of, to support a pretty cast pewter key (bought last year at Pennsic, found in the bag with the woad.) I also made my man a gift, which I hope he likes, but won't be offended if he doesn't (see below.) His very own viking treasure necklace, with a center pendant I made, as well as two beads (the red and green to either side of the center) which I made as well. I thought he could use some accessories, and these are just too much fun!

REAL pearls

Came home today to a shipment of lovely genuine freshwater pearls for my Queen Anne Boleyn style necklaces. They're just so pretty, I can't imagine using faux when these darlings are available.

Deluxe Anne Boleyn necklace, hand sculpted letter, freshwater pearls individually knotted on silk cord, gold plated findings.

Available at Duchessa on Etsy.

Paternosters on a pretty Saturday

Paternosters (literally meaning "our father"), are strings of prayer beads which have been in use since at least 1000 A.D., as a devotional item or method for keeping track of prayers, much like modern rosary beads. For a pious Christian of the middle ages, having a paternoster (often work looped around the belt as an accessory) was a must!

To the left is an example of this, a detail from Osuna's "Adoration of the Magi" shows a man holding a paternoster in loop form. The gentleman in the background of Rogier van der Weyden's "The Magdalen Reading" is holding a linear rosary, and if you look closely at the background of "The Arnolfini Wedding" by Jan Van Eyck, you'll see a paternoster hanging on the wall!


My newest is made on silk cord, individually knotted, with white mother of pearl and larger onyx beads, finished off with a handmade tassel and a small decorative cross. As a re-enactor, I find these very intriguing, and asthetically I just find them so pretty! This one will likely not find its way into my shop (as my blue jade and sterling silver one has), but rather wait for the medieval festival in September.

And just a note,

I will begin promotions and such once I think there are enough readers to make it worthwhile!

Happy birthday, Miss Avealina!

1st post

I'm creating this as a studio blog, to showcase and discuss arts, crafts and whatever else may strike my fancy. Occasionally something personal may make its way in. The intent is to include contests and discount announcements as well.

This weekend I'm at my family's summer home upstate. We've had quite the storm tonight which has given way to a lovely gentle rain. I've been spending a lot of time sewing, and this evening I made a lovely pearl necklace accented with awesome rutilated quartz beads, which you can see here. And look at this little sweetie I came across by our fire pit!