Saturday, October 13, 2012

History Blog Hop


I have already shown you that I'm sort of a history nerd, so when Beady Eyed Bunny announced that she was going to do a history blog hop, I jumped right in and took the Victorian period. More specifically, Mid-Victorian and the gothic aspects of it. I had to keep myself from learning towards steampunk though, since it takes place during the same time period. Time to hit the books. 

After a twenty year run, the Romantic era ended suddenly with the death of Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert in 1860. A new period of mourning known as the Mid-Victorian or "Grand" Period, lasted from 1860 to 1885. Popular gemstones in the mid-Victorian period were amethysts, cabochon garnets, crystal, emeralds, diamonds, onyx, opal, pearl, ruby, black glass, bog oak, jet ivory and tortoise shell. Sadly, I don't own any of those so I had to make to with what I have. Also, lockets became a very important fashion accessory. They held the memory of a dear one close to the heart. They could contain locks of hair or early examples of photographs (daguerreotypes), kept in secret compartments. Victorian lockets were often suspended from "book chain" necklaces and adorned with taille d'epergne style enamel work. Book chain necklaces had a dual purpose. When these flat chains were removed at night, they could be used as a bookmark!

And so this is what I came up with. I had an owl cameo that I based the entire piece around. I was going to use multiply chains, then I found these links and thought that they would be perfect. It was a pain hooking up all the loops to the links, I have so many cuts on my hands it's not even funny. I like the way it came out it has a neo-Victorian feel to it. 















Check out what everyone else did as well...

Ahowin - Art Nouveau www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com
Alicia Marinache – Victorian http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Becca's Place – Renaissance www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com
Beti Horvath – Ancient Egypt and Art Deco www.stringingfool.blogspot.com
Cherry Obsidia – Ancient Mecynae Greece www.cherryobsidia.blogspot.com
Cooky – Renaissance www.shepherdessbeads.com/Blog.html
Jennifer Davies-Reazor – Medieval www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Kathleen Douglas – Indus Valley www.washoekat.blogspot.com
Kashmira Patel – Etruscan www.sadafulee.blogspot.com
Lady Grey – Victorian www.beadsteaandsweets.blogspot.com
Laney Mead – Pre-Columbian www.laney-izzybeads.blogspot.co.uk
Leah Curtis – Ancient Roman www.beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.co.uk
LiliKrist - Persia www.lilikrist.com
Melissa – Mesopotamian www.design.kcjewelbox.com
Melissa Trudinger – Art Nouveau www.beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Micheladas Musings – Ancient Romans www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Sandra Wollberg – Art Nouveau www.city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.com
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson – Art Deco www.sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman – Victorian www.tracystillmandesigns.com


10 comments:

  1. Love your take on Victorian - I so wanted to do a multiple chain piece too, but my chain would not cooperate.
    Beautiful cameo too!

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  2. I didn't know this was your blog, Zoe! Fantastic piece. I LOVE owls and chain, so this is perfect. You've kept it beautifully dark. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Beautiful design, I love the owl cameo pendant.

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  4. What a great use of the owl cameo, along with a classic looking choker! Very nice!

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  5. i love how it turned out with the owl cameo :)

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  6. That is gorgeous. The owl cameo is stunning on its own, but paired with the necklace, it is just .. WOW! I love the links you used and the swoops of chain are perfect.

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  7. Love it! A fabulous choker design and your owl cameo is delightful...interesting that we both chose cameos, although yours definitely has that 'modern twist'..

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  8. An Owl LOL Love the choker style and the filigree is beautiful.Love and hugs Tanya

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  9. Yup- you nailed it. Very Victorian. Love the draped loops.

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  10. Gorgeous! Just lovely, and very Victorian!

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