Make Victorian Jewelry for Gothic Glamour!

re: Make Victorian Jewelry for Gothic Glamour!

Joyce - Bead Bee — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:45:27 GMT

Thanks Jean for the images. Victorian Gothic may not be fore everyone, but we can all take cues from the deep, rich colors and detailing of the ornament. Lately I have been inspired by vintage jewelry, and looking at anytime in history is always nice as a starting point, you can take it as far as you want! That's the beauty of design.

re: Make Victorian Jewelry for Gothic Glamour!

jewelsbyjlc — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:24:35 GMT

I work in a bookstore which equates to vampire central. Jean, if you want something with less teenage drama try Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse novels (they're also the basis for the HBO show TrueBlood). They are not too dark or scary, and full of laughs. I have noticed I've been working with more dark metals, smoky quartz, and red corral or crystal. Black and red is my favorite color combo, so this gothic/vampire trend is really working for me. The more I read the more inspired I become!

re: Make Victorian Jewelry for Gothic Glamour!

MoniRoni — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:22:18 GMT

Wow Cath! That necklace is fabulous! I love the two drops up top that mimic the "love kiss" Dracula makes, then the droplets scattered below as he pulls away. What a fantastic piece!

re: Make Victorian Jewelry for Gothic Glamour!

Faewren — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:56:20 GMT

One not-so-quick comment on materials. While the above list is adequate it doesn't even get much beyond the tip of the iceberg. A lot of modern Gothic/Vampire jewelry is mixed media. Ribbons and lace are used in conjunction with the cameos, beads, charms and chains. Raiding grandmother's sewing stash can yield interesting prospects. Also, on color - one shouldn't feel like they are restricted by color. While red, indigo, black and plum are the more popular colors, there are a lot of modern pieces that feature blues and greens. I have even seen a set that was black and hot pink! For the most part though, any deep versions of colors (midnight blue, forest green, etc.) can be used. The important thing is the style the colors are used in. A lot of Gothic/Vampire jewelry is choker or princess length, or a bib style that draws the eye from the neck to the cleavage. Drama is key to any piece from this genre. Without a bit of drama even the best-intentioned piece of jewelry will pale in comparison.

re: Make Victorian Jewelry for Gothic Glamour!

Greer — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:55:46 GMT

This piece is definitely gothic in flavour and comes with a story. Was inspired by a love of bats more than vampires and other imaginary creatures of the darkness. http://vintajia.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html

re: Make Victorian Jewelry for Gothic Glamour!

bailey0703@live.com — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:43:26 GMT

well girls i dont know alot about all of this goth stuff, but i was courious about cath's Dracula's kiss... WOW, that is so beautiful, i mean truely gorgeous!!! i am very impressed. thanks ladies for letting me be in the company of such talent.

re: Make Victorian Jewelry for Gothic Glamour!

dragonwytch — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:41:15 GMT

I recently made a gothic choker and earring set made of all black metal. The chain is a black link, with black and white rhinestone dangles. The focal is a tassel made of black chains. The earrings are made of smaller black metal tassels, and use black ear wires. It will go perfectly with my black midevil dress for halloween! Hahahaha

re: Make Victorian Jewelry for Gothic Glamour!

Jocille — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:26:22 GMT

I hate to be negative, but why is Beading Daily becoming little more than an advertisement to sell books? It was pleasant to see today's "issue" as it was newsy even though I doubt if I could ever go Victorian Gothic with my beading.

re: Make Victorian Jewelry for Gothic Glamour!

Jean Campbell — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:31:56 GMT

Taboo? Yeah, maybe. But Cath! That's the coolest necklace ever. Everyone reading this blog should really go see Cath's piece...it's the perfect example of what I'm talking about, and it's not gory or over-the-top Goth. It's just plain pretty, but with an interesting inspiration. Well done!

re: Make Victorian Jewelry for Gothic Glamour!

Cath@17 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:17:22 GMT

Hello Jean, everytime I receive beading daily's messages and wish to react, I am surprised to be more or less the last one to comment. Maybe it is so today also, but it seems like nobody else except Maryanne has reacted. This reasures me a little, as I had the feeling that my necklace, Drakula's kiss (which you can see here: http://www.parure.ch/index.php?showimage=42) didn't have the success I hoped. Now I understand, or no, think that vampire fantasy might be a little taboo... I used various matte metallic and matte grey delica beads and ruby czech glass rounds and drops for my necklace, because I don't like black so much...

re: Make Victorian Jewelry for Gothic Glamour!

MaryanneG — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:17:53 GMT

Hi Jean, Loved this post. I'm a push over for color and coordinating color and time, location, emotion etc. I emailed my daughter about your post and mentioned your comment about all the white. Her take, and she qualified it by saying she may be reading too much into it being an English major( !), is that it represents thevirginal young woman being drawn in by the seductive vampire! How's that for gothic romance?! She said but you're right in saying red looks great against lots of white!! Happy Halloween. Maryanne