Her words specifically:
"Design at least one piece inspired by the series, by the characters or
the setting, the costumes or the story, even a particularly inspiring
line from the show."
Immediately, I thought of Downton Abbey and Mr Selfridge. As much as I enjoy these shows for their interesting plots, characters, and historical references, I keep watching in large part for the clothing and jewelry. Remember the fashion show Lady Mary attended in Season 5 where she said "Oh, yummy" about one of the dresses on a model? That's pretty much how I have felt about both of these shows since episode 1, season 1. Stunning stuff! I also thought of Grantchester and Vera and The Bletchley Circle and Endeavor and Inspector Lewis. Then I went old school and thought of Little House on the Prairie and Facts of Life and, heaven help me, The Donny and Marie Show. I know, I'm dating myself.
In the end, these are the pieces I came up with:
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| The pendant is actually a cluster clasp of glass beads from a vintage necklace I found at a garage sale. The other beads are also glass. The rose is from my stepfather's garden. |
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| Here's a close up of the back of the clasp / pendant. The stamped letters read JAPAN. |
This necklace was inspired by the character Hildegard Staunton (played by the lovely Pheline Roggan) in episode 1 of Grantchester. I could see the character wearing this necklace in post-WWII England with a sweater set, wool skirt and shiny black heels.
This pair of earrings was inspired by Mrs. Isobel Crawley (played perfectly by Penelope Wilton) from Downton Abbey. They're kind of old-fashioned in that they are twist on earrings. The faceted beads are much more shiny in person, and the silver / pearl flowers are rather feminine, I think. I could see her wearing these on a social outing that is less formal than dinner at the great house. Don't you love her relationship with the Dowager Countess? God love Maggie Smith - Lady Violet is hands down my favorite character on the show. She always has the best lines!
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| The connector is from Kabela Designs, and the chain came from Stinky Dog Beads. |
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| Green-yellow pearls, garnet rounds, Czech glass, glass / brass chain, faceted glass seed beads, faceted glass round as the pendant. |
For anyone interested, Downton Abbey's current costumer, Anna Robbins, has a Twitter account where she posts about the clothing & accessories used in the show. It's rather fun to read.
Please visit the other participants to ooh and ahh over their creations. The list is below:
Melissa
Trudinger https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/ (the hostess)
Karen Mitchell http://overthemoon-design.com/
Andrea Glick http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Karen Martinez http://www.fairiesmarket.com/
Lennis Carrier http://windbent.wordpress.com
Lindsay Starr http://phantasmcreation.blogspot.com/
Mona Arnott http://bijouxgemsjoy.blogspot.com/
Lee Koopman https://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/
Shaiha Williams http://www.shaihasramblings.com/
Veralynne Malone http://veradesigns.blogspot.com
Elisabeth Auld http://www.beadsforbusygals.com
Kelly Schermerhorn http://meanderingwithkelly.blogspot.com (you're here!)
Dini Bruinsma http://www.angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
Love all of your yummy designs! You nailed it. That vintage finding on the first necklace is just fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThanks Terri, that was a definite score at a garage sale. I paid something like a quarter for it and walked away daydreaming about how to use it. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteIt can totally see the characters of Downton Abbey wearing your jewelry!
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbara. I really wanted to make something inspired by Lady Violet, but alas I couldn't quite come up with anything elegant yet simplified enough. Such an inspirational show when it comes to clothing and jewelry.
DeleteOh, granny is tricky, that's true. She's my favourite character, too. I'm looking forward to seeing some Violet-inspired jewelry.
DeleteExcellent pieces. You truly captured the moment in time for these pieces. And what a find at a garage sale. That pendant really made the piece! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI think the pendant is the piece, truly. I've often taken it out of its home in a bead box and thought "what will you become?" This blog hop was a perfect opportunity to use it. Glad you liked it. And thanks for commenting.
DeleteI've only seen the first season of Downton Abbey but I loved the characters and the styles. Each piece you made seems to have the "feel" of that era and person. You really nailed it!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Not having television, I tend to repeat watching DVDs I really love. I confess to watching the first four seasons of Downton Abbey twice. I'm a sucker for period pieces, what can I say? Thanks for leaving a comment.
DeleteI watch Downton Abbey too mostly to see what everyone is wearing. I think you did a great job of capturing the mood of the show and the personality of the characters. I really like that you used a great find to create a new piece of jewelry.
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen! Every episode of Downton finds we saying "oh, look at that!" I've always loved the aesthetic of the time period portrayed on the show so the fashion will keep me watching until it's over. Maybe they'll make and exhibit somewhere of the clothing once the show is over. Hmmm......
DeleteOh I adore Downton Abbey, and your pieces have really captured the feel of the characters and show! Your Grantchester necklace is really cool too, has such a post-war vibe. Thanks for joining the blog hop!
ReplyDeleteGlad to know there are other jewelry designer / Downton Abbey fans in this blog hop! I had lots of fun thinking of potential designs and looking at photos of the actresses to get inspiration. Great idea on your part, having come up with this particular blog hop theme. I'll look forward to your next one!
DeleteYour pieces are excellent renditions of jewellery of the time and are all great. Thanks for showing them to us
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting. I may just keep making jewelry inspired by shows I love. They really do provide an incredibly amount of inspiration.
DeleteI love all your pieces, but I am absolutely swooning over the first one. That soft blue and green with the white is so fabulous, and the clasp/cluster is inspired!! And I agree about Lady Edith - everyone is so dismissive of her. I hope she shows them all!
ReplyDeleteAnn, thanks for taking the time to visit and comment. I'm so aware that the clasp / pendant on the first necklace makes the piece. I feel I had very little to do with it other than including it in the necklace, it's that lovely. Lady Edith sure has had her ups and downs and sabotaged love interests, but perhaps making her own way in London is where her story will lead.
DeleteI love them all! Great job!
ReplyDelete<3,
Andrea
Thank you, Andrea. Glad you enjoyed them. I may continue making jewelry with a TV theme - it was fun to look at all of that inspiration online and daydream about designs. And heaven knows, there are plenty of shows out there to ignite the imagination!
DeleteInteresting use of colors. I love that you were original. I'm not a fan of that Downton Abby line that 1928 put out and would much rather have your handmade pieces.
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you! I've seen those pieces in a few shops. While I think they're pretty, I don't feel they are nearly as unique as the pieces you can see the actresses wearing in the actual episodes. That's the stuff that makes me drool and gave me the inspiration.
DeleteLove all your designs, but the earrings with the pearls and roses... ♥ so ♥ beautiful ♥ You must have had a lot of fun, when creating all these beauties!
ReplyDeleteI did have fun. Sometimes blog hops can be stressful, but Melissa presented an idea that allowed so much freedom and personal choice that it could only be a joy to participate. Those earrings are composed of garage sale finds, estate sale finds and a strand from Michael's that I bought for another blog hop. That's largely where the fun is in designing - putting together bits from all over the place!
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