Last Day for Giveaway

Happy Sunday - this is just to remind you this is the last day to participate in Fairyfiligree's current giveaway. Best of luck & have a lovely day.....

Discovering Suzani

Just discovered the marvellous art of Suzani, a needlework tradition that has been perfected by urban peoples of Central Asia. The technique is based on the use of a needle sewing on cotton orlinen fabric with special traditional designs associated usually with local symbolism.

The exemplar about dates back to 1850, and includes floral and vine designs. Made in  Uzbekistan.

Now on Twitter

Just to let all Fairyfiligree readers know that Fairyfiligree is now on Twitter too. Look me up there.

Somebody asked whether I facebook - no I don't and I don't intend to.

And, you may notice that I am now following with a whole new profile image. This fantastic painting is by John William Godward entitled 'The Ring' (1898).

Filigree Artist from Malta & Silver Giveaway

I would like to introduce you to a young woman who is a filigree artist from the Mediterranean island of Malta. I have often posted about Maltese filigree because it is an art form which I have especially at heart. I became even more appreciative of its finesse and beauty after spending three years studying about its history and also attended a workshop to try my hand at making some filigree myself.

Charmaine Gerada has been creating filigree since she was a young teenager. Her teacher was her father with whom she still collaborates on specially large jobs. One of her latest accomplishments was the completion of a filigree artefact which was filmed in a promotional commercial created by Banif Bank.

As you can see from these images, sterling silver filigree can be adapted to be used for a wide variety of articles and not only for making jewellery.

And here is the giveaway to start off FairyFiligree's 2nd year of Blogging.

This dainty Sterling Silver Maltese filigree pendant complete with ruby red Swarovski crystal is here for the taking. To be eligible to participate in this giveaway you have to.....

1. Be a FairyFiligree follower.

2. Leave a comment on this post sometime between now and October 31. And you must comment on the topic of special silver jewellery. Tell us something about your favourite item of silver jewellery, describe it, where you got it from, and what makes it special to you.

3. Include your contact email address or a link leading to it.
Good luck and enjoy...

Picture acknowledgements: Top picture taken by Andrew Rizzo.

Isadora's passion for Cameos

The great Isadora Duncan (1877 - 1927), renown stage actress who graced many a theatre with her dancing, and who is hailed as the mother of modern dancing, posed several times for the French artist and designer Rene Lalique. Duncan commissioned him to create stage jewellery for some of her most important performances. She received regular gifts of impressive jewellery from her many (male) admirers but it is said that one of her favourite accessories was a belt of hardstone cameos which was a gift made to her by gold miners in her native California.

The cameo is basically a carved relief image that is created and juxtaposed against  a contrasting color background found in the material's lower layers. Cameos experienced a revival during the 1990s, which revival is somewhat still lingering as the penchant for shabby chic fashion remains alive and kicking. Beware when buying cameos however. If you're after the real thing, you need expert advice to be sure you are not being sold an imitation. These works of minute sculpture are made of so many different materials, ranging from jet or onyx to sardonyx, to coral, to shell, ceramics or multi-layered glass also referred to as cameo glass. 

The first drawing featured at the top of this post is a watercolor and ink over graphite on off-white, medium-weight, moderately textured laid paper, showing Isadora Duncan. It was made by Abraham Wolkowitz and is presently at the Brooklyn Museum, NY.

Manish Arora

I recently found out about Manish Arora. This Indian fashion designer has been coined as the Galliano of India. And no wonder. Just look at this picture. It shows  a design from the Manish Arora Spring 2007 collection at London fashion Week. Yes sure, it's not springtime now, it's not even 2007 but I wanted to share. Don't you just love that dress?