Forever Love Bead Set

Forever Love Bead Set

Again, past due for a post.  . .”What am I going to write about?” is the question that’s been flapping around in the back of my mind like a dusty moth that won’t go away. Each day, I sit down at this keyboard and begin pounding out text,  only to later delete it, while telling myself ”I’ll try again tomorrow”.  Being a bit of a philosopher, I tend to take my “pen” too seriously. The short and to-the-point posts are more difficult for me to write than the long, personal essays that you see here on occasion. Really, this experience doesn’t need to be so difficult. . .All I need to do is choose a subject and write. Guess I’ll try that and see where it goes. 

Of all of the offerings I listed last week, the ”Forever Love” bead set was my favorite. This may be because I had identifiable source of inspiration for the set. It was created with Catherine of Aragon in mind. Prior to making this set, I had just finished watching the Showtime series, “The Tudors”. I didn’t have great expectations for this show, as I knew it would be historically inaccurate and a bit trashy. Not that I have a problem with either, but I do get on my own nerves when I watch period costume dramas about subjects in which I am familiar. I had hoped before watching that the writers wouldn’t take too much liberty with Catherine’s character. She was always my favorite of Henry’s wives. She had faith in her husband, her crown, her God and her people. As it turned out, they did a great job with her character and I loved the show.

Even though Catherine’s life didn’t end on the gallows, it was none the less filled with tragedy. Henry seemed to see her as a prudish, cursed and broken baby machine.  As far as I am concerned, she was an elegant lady of grace and far too good for the crybaby king.  When the ISGB made a call for entries for Convergence II, her majesty was one of several women that immediately came to mind.

I intend to go down my list of period women who I’d have loved to design beads and jewelry for until I arrive at the bead design that I want to submit for Convergence II.  Catherine’s set was easy to imagine. I chose Double Helix Psyche as the base glass, for it’s deep purple tone. When barely reduced, this beautiful glass takes on a iridescent blue haze. The russeted red base for the florals were provided by Double Helix’s Terra Nova 2. . . An amazing, yet fickle glass that sometimes also yields rich crimsons and purple-reds. Since no queen would be complete without her diamonds, centering each floral with a CZ only made sense.  Rather than name the set, “Catherine of Aragon”, I chose “Forever Love” per her expressed feelings for Henry that she took to her death bed. 

Later in the week, this set would inspire another set called ”Poetic Chivalry”. . . A similar design but in different colors.

Poetic Chivalry Bead Set

Poetic Chivalry Bead Set

On a personal note, Ashley is miserable, the babies are growing and it can’t possibly be much longer before they finally arrive. (By the way, Happy Birthday, Ashley! I know this discomfort isn’t what you had in mind for you 21st. I had you only four days before my own birthday. You were all the gift I needed that year and to this day, you continue to be just that.) 

Of to the torch I go. . .Have a great Monday!!