Tudor Treasury

Thank you, Helena, for featuring my deluxe Boleyn necklace in your treasury, "A Little Bit of Tudor History! "

Something new...

I'm so very excited that I'm writing about my new project even though it's not ready yet.

I'm working on a new line to add to my shop. Versatile tote bags embellished with some of our favorite queens. The base version will be unlined and moderately embellished, while the higher end ones will be lined and more decorative.

I have the first of the base version done, with my first deluxe one nearing completion. Pictures soon!

Magical?

Have I begun the new things I wrote about in my last post? Well, no. But thats because I've been busy with some other very cool things. I just finished up a super cute little project, which was inspired by a few thing.

1) I love little glass bottles.
2) I saw The Sorceror's Apprentice and thought it was adorable.
3) My best girlie over at Avealina commented that she wants a jar of eyes.

And thus, the Sorceror's Supplies were born.

This set is an apartment warming gift for Avealina, but I'm thinking of making some smaller versions for the upcoming Medieval Festival. I think this is just too cute (but then again, I think it's acceptable to decorate with jars of herbs, so maybe I'm biased towards them.)

*No mythical creatures were harmed in the making of this product.*

Upcoming

Well, I've re-opened my shop and have been completing custom orders again. It's nice to get back (somewhat) to normal. My biggest problem is moving around- I can't really carry my supplies from one place to another on crutches.

Right before everything went crazy, one of my lovely customers asked if I'd consider expanding my line of Boleyn themed jewelry and accessories. The timing was funny, because I had been working on a little something new (which I will finish...one of these days.)

The plan is to bring back my The Tudor's inspired tassel necklace (which I just haven't had a chance to restock!), bring back the Boleyn style bookmark, and maybe even come up with a few new special bits. I'm also planning to make a few more one of a kind pieces based on some of Anne Boleyn's lesser known jewelry (like the AB pendant I made a while back, purchased by a young lady with the initials...AB!)

Medical drama

Wow. So to make a very long story short, after 6 months of dealing with pain in my thigh from a "strained quad", I finally went for an MRI, the results of which had me sent directly to the hospital. I somehow acquired a staph infection in my femur (which actually isn't all that uncommon, though it sounds utterly alien), which required just over a week in the hospital and 3 surgeries.

I'm home now, with IV antibiotics for several weeks, and strict orders to not put weight on my leg for 3 months (imagine how much fun moving around my high ranch is.)

So I'd like to start working again, and open my shop soon. Custom items will be done, just slowly since my mobility isn't great and I'm at the mercy of my (wonderful) family for help.

Thank you to my incredible customers for the well wishes and words of support. Everything should be up and running as normally as possible, very soon.

Life gets in the way

I've been incredibly busy recently, and much of it leads to this.

Due to a health issue I need to take some time to address, Duchessa will be temporarily closed.

I look forward to feeling up to re-opening, however I cannot hazard a guess as to when- it would be a few weeks, it could be much more.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

474 years

"She who has been the Queen of England on earth will today become a Queen in heaven" - Archbishop Thomas Cranmer

Today I wore my little B pearl enhancer in honor of Anne. I thought I was being smart, and clipped it onto a short strand of nice white pearls my aunt gave me several years ago. At lunch, a coworker asked what the B was made of, and as I reached up to take the necklace off to hand to her, the thread snapped and I found myself holding a broken strand of pearls. Bad luck or a message from the lady herself?

I got out of work early today, so I had some extra time to get a jump on orders. It was quote poignant, sitting by myself, in the perfect silence, working on some custom Anne Boleyn style necklaces on the anniversary of her execution. I suppose I pay tribute to Anne often, recreating her famous necklace, but it just really felt fitting today.

This item isn't about making money, or even the craft of it really (though I do enjoy it), but a celebration of the life and legacy of this incredible woman. Cheers Anne- 474 years after your death, and still we remember you.