Beadwork & Metal - Meet in the Middle
©2017 by Cynthia Rutledge
The best of both worlds come together in this workshop to explore the process of creating miniature boxes. In the 18th century, Grand Tours were the rigor for the royal families of Europe, as well as, wealthy young men experiencing life before settling into the demands of having a family along with couples on their honeymoon. Many travelers commissioned miniature boxes, called souvenir boxes, to remind them of cities that they had visited or a spectacular events that they witnessed, like a circus act; or to document the excitement of a fox hunt. Some boxes were commissioned to show off an ancestral home, castle or palace. A lymnerist (miniature portrait painter) could be commissioned to paint miniature portraits of children, family and friends, making these little boxes keepsakes. These miniature works of art were the aristocracies form of souvenir collecting.
Kings and Queens also commissioned souvenir boxes and snuff boxes to give as gifts to loyal subjects. Nothing but the best for these little gems. The boxes were made of gold, enamel, precious gems and pearls, cameos and intaglios along with miniature paintings. The craftsmanship is truly spectacular!
In this workshop we will explore techniques that lend themselves to a variety of box shapes. Using seed beads and Delica beads, fine patina copper sheet, CZ's and pearls, tiny cup-chain, specialty findings along with embellishing and finishing materials, students will create their own souvenir box. Once the box body is underway, we will work on options for embellishing. This portion of the workshop will be really exciting, as there will be lots of samples to look at and plenty of materials to work with to create a one-of-a-kind souvenir box.
The format of this intensive workshop will we open once the opening lecture is over. Small groups will be working on cutting metal, plastic sheeting and the lining materials while others head for bead selection and looking at just a few of the many options for embellishing. There will be a lot of freedom here to explore and create, along with a lot of samples to show options and results.
I will instruct students on how to measure and cut the metal, punch holes for adding the feet and embellishments, setting small CZ's successfully, and walk the students through the process of gathering supplies for embellishing. As we move into the embellishing stage of the project I will be on board to assist with decision making and how to approach the process of embellishing along with color theory and moral support!
Skill level: Advanced
Workshop: This is a 3-day workshop
Dimensions:
Oval box: 2.5 inches deep x 3.25 inches wide x 1.5 inches tall.
Round box: 3 inches wide x 1.5 inches tall.
Triangular box: 3 inches deep x 3 inches wide x 4 inches tall
Techniques:
Peyote stitch, even count and with increasing
Bezel work
Setting CZ's in fine metal settings
Cutting metal shapes
Punching holes in the metal for attaching feet and embellishments
Embellishing using a variety of stitch options, techniques and materials