Enchantment Under the Sea: 1950s Prom

Original sketch for Enchantment Under The Sea costume

If you’ve been reading my blog before you might know that I’ve been the chair of the social committee where I work for the past two years(and before that I sat on the committee as well). Last year we planned a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party to celebrate the ‘holiday season’ (aka Christmas for a very politically-correct, multi-cultural, multi-faith organization). I ended up getting sick at the last minute and couldn’t attend. The year before our theme was a Masquerade party, and my costume was an Anubis-inspired costume with a hand-made mask. (Previously we also did a time-travel party and I did a steampunk costume.)

In July I stepped down from the committee (partially I’m running out of time, and partially I’m concerned about the amount of work the committee is starting to require) but I’m still really excited about the party theme we’ve chosen for the 2014 holiday party. Since we started a great deal of the party planning before I stepped down, it also means I have an inside look into how the party will come together, and I think it’s going to be great!

I’ll be collecting all of my ideas under the tag “Enchantment Under the Sea” for the time being… so if it’s after the party – click for all of the related posts – if not – stay tuned!

Viking beads – Vikings in BC

Viking age beads from the Vikings in BC display

In my previous post I showed a Norse style festoon I made largely from museum replica Viking Age beads. In this post I’d like to share with you some of the photos I took at the Vikings in BC exhibit this past summer.

The beads above are largely rock crystal faceted beads, with other glass and stone beads.

Another Viking Age Festoon

You might remember that I made a Viking Age Festoon (half-necklace) a while back for my Viking Age costume. Then I bought some museum replica beads while in Iceland, along with some charms/pendants to make a treasure necklace!

First Festoon

 

Top of the blue apron dress with my festoon and broaches

Above is the first (two) festoons I made. I actually attached them together so I’m calling it a single… You might remember this from the Viking Age Festoon post or from the post where I showed off my blue linen apron dress.

Auditioning the new festoon

So I strung up the beads and charms along with some other beads I had/bought – and shared the photo with a Viking costuming group on Facebook. I was most looking for some feedback on what others might think of the beads and stringing.

Auditioning a new viking festoon

Below are some of the close ups of the charms I used:

Beads & things from the Iceland National Museum

I bought a few beads and some pendants at the Iceland National Museum

When I was in Iceland I bought a few beads and pendants at the National Museum of Iceland.
Tomorrow I’ll share with you what I made with these beads – so stay tuned!

National Museum of Iceland
www.nationalmuseum.is
Suðurgata 41, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
+354 530 2200

Raymond’s Quiet Press – Norse costume accessories

 

Silver plated Viking bling

You might have noticed from my recent post about my new black linen apron dress, that I got some new Viking Bling! After wearing my home-made Turtle Brooches for a while, and looking to find recommendations, I decided to order from Raymond’s Quiet Press. I also opted to add the silver-plating option to my entire order, which included two large turtle brooches, two round brooches (for a possible future Finnish costume), a Viking Age key, and a tri-lobed/trifoil brooch for my coat.

BUT… when they came – they were SO bright. I know that they would probably darken with age, but since they’re just costume pieces, I wanted to darken and “age” them a bit.