Product Information

JEWELRY

Each and every component in my jewelry collection, whether it is an elegant necklace, bodice jewelry or a jeweled collar, jeweled headpiece, earrings, or girdle - are hand-wired - these are not just beads strung on a wire or thread. What this means to you is that there is no worry of a string breaking due to wear or stress on a wire causing it to fatigue. For those of you familiar with rosary beads or chain mail, the process is quite similar - and results in a quality product that has taken a great deal of work and care and that you can wear with pride and confidence. I spend a great deal of time searching for beads, pearls, accents, findings, and adornments of the highest quality with an eye towards providing you with a unique and BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF JEWELRY .Finally, my jewelry is made to last - they are not just accessories. They have been made to withstand the test of time, and if cared for properly, will give each and every proud owner a wonderful piece of jewelry that they will cherish for years to come. 

HEADPIECES

My headpieces are all based on historical portraits of the times. I only use quality materials and each is assembled by hand using standard millinery techniques. Although I try to make my items as historically accurate as possible - I do believe that there are some "modern" things that make our lives easier...for example many headpieces were attached with ties under the chin - I find this very uncomfortable so I make my headpieces to tie in the back at the hairline whenever possible.  CLOTHING All of my clothing is hand made. Only high quality fabrics are used (not costume quality) unless otherwise stated in the description. Seams are finished and hems are surged ready for hemming. I attempt to make my clothing as look as historically accurate as possible - but I do use modern products and techniques.

BRASS RUBBINGS

"A many of our bodies shall, no doubt, Find native graves: upon the which, I trust, Shall witness live in brass of this day's work." From Shakespeare's Henry V

Monumental brasses were produced between 1000 – 1650 AD as a commemoration to the dead, or as a special church related event. Today, there are only approximately 4,000 monumental brasses left from the original number of over 10,000. Because the metal and enamel used to create these monuments were such precious commodities, many were destroyed and melted down to create armament. In addition, many of the brasses were destroyed during the various religious uprisings in Great Britain and the continent.

Brass rubbings are done by stretching a linen type paper over the deeply etched monumental brass that is usually found at the gravesite. After securing the paper, heelball (a very hard wax) is rubbed vigorously over the paper surface to get an exact copy of the brass plate. A single rubbing can take from 2 hours to 2 days to complete depending in it's size, condition, and complexity. Although many churches and historical sites have banned brass rubbing for the everyday person - many still allow it to be done with special permission and a small "gift" for the parish. My rubbings come from exact replicas that were purchased in England with many of them coming from the Westminster Abby Brass Rubbing Center that went out of business. I will from time to time offer original rubbings that were done on numerous trips abroad in my “Off the Rack” section of this website.