207 - "Fauxbergé" Fabergé eggs (five total)

Teacher: Michele Roberts
Class days: February 18-19, 2012 (Saturday-Sunday)
Style: Beading and Needlepoint
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Kit fee: US $60-75 for a single kit (see individual prices below)

Student chooses two of the five designs for the two day class. The two-kit total price will be the sum of the individual kit prices. Therefore, each student's total kit price will be determined at order time.

During a period of time spanning three centuries the jewelry house of Fabergé has symbolized the ultimate in jeweled luxury objects, especially the jeweled eggs created for the Russian Imperial family. The never-ending machined patterns, the fabulous colors, the applied jewels, the gold, and above all, the enduring designs are unmatched in the history of jewelry.

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"Fauxbergé" Fleur de Lys Egg
Kit Price: US $60.00

The real antique Fabergé Fleur de Lys egg which served as the inspiration for this embroidered design is actually quite small and irregular. It consists of a simple gold motif mounted onto a gold metal egg covered with a transparent red enamel. Beneath the enamel can be seen beautiful sunbursts, engraved on the gold by the jewelers using an antique French guilloche inscribing machine.

By putting together gold bullion in traditional raised Goldwork and Swarovski aurora borealis crystals, directly over the red ground, I hope my “faux” Fabergé egg evokes the real egg.

Techniques included are: the use of a lining for strength during stitching, backstitching, invisible couching, chipping, needlepoint, and beading. This piece is best finished as a hanging ornament, with a fancy beaded border.

Stitchers who have more experience working with gold may have a substantial portion of this piece completed at day’s end.

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"Fauxbergé” Mosaic Petit Point Egg
Kit Price: US $75.00
The young woman artist at Fabergé who designed this egg was needlepointing a pillow for her new husband off a Berlin woolwork pattern. The resultant petit point egg, referred to as a mosaic egg in the Fabergé catalogs, is currently owned by Queen Elizabeth II. It consists of tiny precious stones (diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, topaz, peridot) set into a rectangular platinum grid, with bands of pearls outlining key needlepoint motifs. I was so delighted to find a picture of this egg recently, as things can now come full circle: A needlepoint design done off an object inspired by needlepoint!

Techniques included are: Tent Stitch, invisible attachment of silver bullion, attachment of crystals, attachment of pearls, Amadeus stitches, slanted satin stitches. This piece is best finished as a hanging ornament, with a fancy beaded border.

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"Fauxbergé” Swirl Egg
Kit Price: US $60.00
Add glittering Swarovski crystals and gold bullion to a needlepoint egg and it takes the stitching to a new level: almost as good as the REAL Fabergé Imperial Easter eggs. Let’s call this luxurious egg a “Faux”-bergé egg! (The French word “faux” means imitation.)

The actual Fabergé egg which served as the inspiration for this embroidered design utilized gold of multiple colors. The beautifully engraved base metal was covered with translucent mauve enamel, which was the Empress Alexandra’s favorite color. Swirls with floral motifs and colors were set in gold of different colors and set with precious stones. To simulate these techniques with needlepoint, gold tramé lines are laid in place for the background and covered with glitzy lavender rayon/metallic ribbon. The swirls are outlined with swirly Rococo bullion and Bright Check gold bullion settings for floral colors of Swarovski aurora borealis crystals.

Techniques included are: the use of Bargello-patterned burdenwork over gold braid to simulate the beautiful machining beneath translucent enamel, irregular invisible couching of gold Rococo, gold bullion chipping, invisible attachment of gold loops, and crystal placement.

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"Fauxbergé” Starry Sky Egg
Kit Price: US $60.00
Add glittering Swarovski crystals and gold bullion to a needlepoint egg and it takes the stitching to a new level: almost as good as the REAL Fabergé Imperial Easter eggs. Let’s call this luxurious egg a “Faux”-bergé egg! (The French word “faux” means imitation.)

The actual Fabergé egg which served as the inspiration for this embroidered design was made of silver and platinum. The beautifully engraved base metal was covered with translucent midnight blue shining enamel. The four pointed stars and the woven bands were set with different types of diamonds.

On this ornament, the silver settings are worked with silver braid in Jessica stitches of various shapes. The background is covered with glitzy blue rayon/metallic ribbon. The diamond bands are created out of embellishment woven braid. Large flower-shaped foil-backed Swarovski crystals are used for the large diamonds in the stars, and beads and bicone shaped Swarovski crystals are used for the diamonds in the arms of the stars.

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"Fauxbergé” Rose Trellis Egg
Kit Price: US $75.00
The Rose Trellis egg was made in 1907 for the Empress Alexandra to celebrate the birth of her son the Tsarevitch. The original egg has green enamel over gold. The trellis made of diamonds mounted in silver, and is actually rather tarnished after a century. The roses and the leaves are made of precious stones and enamel.

The workmanship on this egg is so tiny and fine that if I were to design an egg on 18 count canvas on a scale to match it, the result would be huge. Therefore I have taken so many artistic liberties with my version of the rose trellis egg that we must call it a mere interpretation of the original.

In any case, the needlepoint egg is encrusted with layers and jewels to such an extent, that we can call it a Fabergé imitation, hence the name “Faux”-bergé.

Techniques included are: a simple Bargello pattern, attachment of embellishments woven ribbon, invisible attachment of bullion, attachment of crystals and beads, leaf stitches, ribbon roses. This piece is best finished as a hanging ornament, with a fancy beaded border.

Stitchers who have more experience working with these materials may have a substantial portion of this piece completed at day’s end.

(When I put this description together I realized that just like the original jewelry firm which had such an international clientele and reputation, that the specialty items in the needlepoint come from many countries! How fitting!)
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Design Size: 4 ½” x 3 ½” x ¼”

Student will Supply:

8” x 10” Frame, tacks, and tools for working with metal – welcome letter will contain a complete list.

Kit contents

Each kit contains slightly different contents such as: White 18-count canvas | Silver Pearl Purl, Gold Bright Check Purl, Swarovski aurora borealis bicone crystals in 3 mm size, Kreinik silver braid, Rainbow Gallery Neon Rays Plus rayon/metallic ribbons in jewel colors, couching threads, needle felt with millinery, beading, tapestry, and long darner needles. Booklet: Complete instructions in bound booklet, photograph, bibliography.