11/04/04: The necklace
When I was looking for red silk thread in my sewing box, I stumbled upon a tube of 6mm glass pearls. I had completely forgotten I had them and had thought that I'll have to manage without jewelry this time. Not anymore! I looked at Venetian paintings and most of them featured a simple short pearl string.
The last painting in the row is special — her necklace has gold beads between the pearls.
This closeup shows it better. As it happens, I also had some gold lined clear amber rocaille beads. I chose this pearl+bead combination because I was worried I would run out of the pearls. My worries were unfounded, I have about a half of the pearls left over.
I used fishing line for stringing, it's what I had and I don't trust any of my linen threads to withstand the abrasion.
I should have used stringing silk, but I don't have it and as this was a spur-of-the-moment project, I used what was on hand. Since these are not real pearls or gold beads anyway, fishing line will do.
Stringing went fast, finding an appropriate closure took a long time. I had remembered a picture of a hook I saw on the web. The article compared a modern S-hook with it's medieval counterpart. It took me hours to track down the reference. There is a late 15th - early 16th century twisted wire hook excavated from London. It is pictured in Dress Accessories c.1150 - c.1450, which I own, but do not have in my posession at the moment. The article I remembered was actually mistress Rowen Brithwallt beading class handout and on my hard drive.
Anyway. I twisted some jewelry wire and shaped two pieces — one like the hook and one as a ring. The hook is not a replica and the shape is not 100% true to the original. It'll hold the necklace closed and that's what counts.
7 days to the event.
11/11/04: The partlet
Since there is no time to make a partlet, but it is probably necessary because of the weather, I'll use my 15th century one. It won't look right, but some inaccuracy is better than a flu.
An alternative would be to pin a square silk veil to my hair and wrap that around my shoulders. A proper partlet would be best, though.
The event is tomorrow.
