405 - Key to My Heart

Teacher: Cynthia Rutledge
Class days: February 19-22, 2011 (Saturday-Tuesday)
Style: Beadwork
Skill level: Advanced
Kit fee: US 225.00, due to price fluctuations of precious metals the final kit price may be adjusted once the kit materials are purchased by the teacher.

The hunt for and use of gold has been documented through time, beginning with the Egyptians. Well established trade routes all around the Mediterranean provided a plentiful source of gold by the time the Greeks had mastered their skills at making gold jewelry around 300 BC. These masters of metal styled their designs using Egyptian influences, mythology and historical perspective. The Roman influence can be seen when the Greek masters began to use fine gemstones. Topaz, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Ruby and Garnet stones began to appear set within the gold. The far-reaching Romans even influenced the artistic standard of craftsmanship in what was then known as Roman Britain. The Celtic artisans continued to use a Roman style of jewelry design all the way up to the 4th century. From the 4th-14th centuries, styles shifted with the fashion of the time dictating a more elaborate, richly surface-embellished, gem-encrusted style of jewelry.

The history of the jeweled locket is shrouded in mystery and clouded by the passing of time. The earliest known examples of these lockets date to 14th Century England. Known as portrait miniatures, padlocks, picture boxes and lockets, these small hand-held works of art began with the work of a Limner (miniaturist) creating tiny works of art using opaque watercolors on vellum (playing cards) with fine brushes called pencils. The most famous Limner was Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619), appointed to the court of Queen Elizabeth I in 1570, he used his skills as a gold smith and Limner to create fabulous gold framed, gem encrusted, miniatures for the Queen’s personal use and for her to give as gifts to reward those that had proved their loyalty to the crown.

The Key To My Heart is very personal. It has an intimacy about it because you can pick it up, hold it close and view in secrecy. The images have fabric in the background, to denote intimacy and familiarity. Nicholas Hilliard used that technique a lot in his work. The viewer felt privileged to be invited into such a private place. The locket opens to reveal two images, Doc Mark & Lady Cynthia Rutledge, circa 1757. Many lockets would have had a key. Mine is symbolic, the key is positioned on the necklace over my heart.

Techniques:

The locket: Resin coated photographs within brass frames, Peyote Stitch with decreasing and surface embellishment, gemstones & CZ’s set in fine metal settings and crystals are surrounded with beadwork. The locket opens and closes with a gem studded magnetic clasp.

Beaded chain links and a gem set ring connect the locket to the necklace ring. The ring is Peyote Stitch with increasing and is 3-Dimensional.

Lattice Weave necklace straps connect to the necklace ring and closure with gem set stones and crystals.

The Key: Gemstones & CZ’s set in fine metal settings for the base of the key. Peyote Stitch flat and in the round, with decreasing, and Square Stitch forms the body of the key. The key is attached to the necklace with beaded chain links and two gem set rings make the final connection to the necklace strap and the necklace ring.

The Closure: The necklace closes with two gem studded toggles and a connector. Gemstones & CZ’s set in fine metal settings, Peyote Stitch with increasing and decreasing, surface embellishment.

Size: N/A

Thank you so much for signing up for my workshop, The Key To My Heart. The supplies needed for this workshop are divided up into three categories. The first category is a list of supplies that will need to be brought to class by you, the student. The second category is a list of supplies that will be part of the materials fee and will be available in class for you to add to your palette of seed beads and Delica beads. The third category of supplies consists of materials that will be available in class for your use as part of your materials fee. Additional supplies will be available for general sale, if desired.

Student will Supply:

The beads:
• 30 grams of a main 15/0 seed bead. This is used everywhere, so you want to like this color a lot.
• 10 grams of a matching 11/0 seed bead. This bead is used on the key, the necklace ring and closure connector.
• 3 grams of a matching or complementary Delica bead for the beginning of the locket bezel and the strap at the top of the locket, that holds the two locket halves together.
• Approximately 2 grams of two different colors of 11/0s for embellishing. Pick colors that have a gem like quality to them. Example: A green that looks like emeralds.
• 3 grams of a complimentary color of 15/0 for a bit of color around the metal frame closest to the images.

The images:
• 2 Color or black and white photographs or other images. Refer to the images of my locket for inspiration. Think about your spouse, other family members, pets, and favorite places. The locket opens from the bottom, so one image will be above the other. Make sure to print your images on high quality glossy photo paper. All printers are a bit different so we will have to test your images, in class, for color fastness, smearing or blurring when the image comes in contact with the Gel Du Soliel. If the images have a problem with the Gel Du Soliel, we can coat the image with clear tape, a clear spray adhesive or one of the paint on adhesives. All will be available in class for your use. Your images must fit within a 1-1/4” circle. Don’t precut them but do make sure that your images are sized appropriately for the size of the circle. Bring options and quite a few extras! It took me two tries to get the look that I wanted, so plan ahead.

Other needs:
• Beading needles. I will have most sizes of beading needles for sale in class or you can bring your own.
• 1 pair of jewelry grade chain-nose pliers
• One-G thread in a color to match the main 15/0s. I will have One G thread available for sale in class or you can bring your own. If you use another type of thread be aware that we will be working with mostly 15/0s!
• Small sharp scissors and/or a thread Zapper
• Beading wax (optional but recommended). I will have beading wax available for sale in class or you can bring your own.
• Work surface of choice
• Lighting and magnification. If you use it at home, you will need it in class!

Kit contents

Swarovski Crystals:
• 52-2mm Swarovski Crystals.

The stones and settings:
• 4-6mm faceted, round gemstones or CZs. One for the closure, one for the key and two for the locket.
• 4-6mm round 6-pronged gold-filled or sterling silver settings
• 4-4mm faceted, round gemstones or CZs for the embellishing on the Lattice Weave straps.
• 4-4mm round 6-pronged gold-filled or sterling silver settings
• 28-3mm faceted, round gemstones or CZs. Four for embellishing on the Lattice Weave straps, twenty for the embellishing on the front of the locket and 4 for the ends of the toggles.
• 28 -3mm round 6-pronged gold-filled or sterling silver settings
• 46-2mm faceted, round gemstones or CZs. 6 for embellishing on the Lattice Weave straps, 4 for the key connection to the Lattice Weave strap, 7 for the embellishing around the key, 8 for embellishing the front of the Lattice Weave straps, 21 for the two rings that connect the key chain and the locket to the necklace ring.
• 46-2mm round 6-prong gold-filled or sterling silver settings

Other supplies:
• 2 round brass frames with the outside diameter 1-1/2” and the inside diameter of 1-1/4”. These frames will be available in Antique Silver, Shiny Silver, Antique Gold and Copper.
• 1 toothpick, round.
• 1 large metal paperclip
• One 1/4” diameter round magnetic clasp with loops
• 1 wooden needle case or a 3” piece of 1/2 round doweling

Supplies that will be used in class and are part of your Materials Fee

• Clear tape & spray adhesive
• Paper scissors
• Paper adhesive. Mod Podge and/or Perfect Paper Adhesive.
• Small paintbrushes
• McGill 1-1/4” circle cutters
• Gel Du Soliel sunlight curing epoxy
• UV lighting boxes