307 - Key to My Heart

Teacher: Michele Roberts
Class days: February 20-21, 2012 (Monday-Tuesday)
Style: Traditional Raised Goldwork, Beading and Needlepoint
Skill level: Intermediate
Kit fee: US $95.00

This traditional raised and padded Goldwork piece was designed to be the top of a box. The background as well as the key are studded with pearls and Swarovski crystals. A bit of passementerie that moves serves as the tassel to the hole in the key, and in fact, drapes over the edge of the box.

This motif is entirely worked in raised traditional Goldwork. Types of gold used are Pearl Purl, Bright Check, Twist, Check Thread, and Japan gold braid.
Techniques include Padding, Invisible Couching, Regular couching, Parallel Laying, Twisting, Chipping, plunging, and making a twisted cord.

After the success of the Florentine Fleur de Lys piece, taught at Indian Wells, and other venues since, I decided I wanted to design another gold and white piece, but change the materials and techniques. The Florentine piece was on Congress cloth; this one is on iridescent 18-count. The Florentine piece used irregular freshwater pearls rather than round ones, and had less gold in the background and more at the edge. This piece has an asymmetrical design rather than symmetrical. Also, this piece is animated with a tassel which actually leaves the design area and hangs down over the frame. All in all, the two Goldwork pieces could not be more different, within the constraints of raised and padded work on white.

Special note: Students who do NOT want the Swarovski specimen heart, who would prefer to bring their own keepsake, possibly a locket or other charm, may do so and receive a credit of approximately $5.00 off their kit cost.

Design Size: Height: 5"; Width 7"; Depth off surface 1/2"

Student will Supply:

* Frame and tools for working with metal – welcome letter will contain a complete list.
* Cord-making tool and bead tray.

Kit contents

Iridescent white 18-count canvas | iridescent white organza | Couching thread | padding materials | Gold Pearl Purl #2 | Gold #6 Bright Check Purl | Gold twist | Gold Check Thread | Gold Delica beads | Japan gold cord | pearls | Swarovski crystals including the large specimen heart | wardrobe of needles | beeswax | and other items.