“Butterfly Woman” Collar, Beaded and Stitched by Hand.
I hand-stitched Butterfly Woman with strong, archival quality bead thread, which makes this an heirloom-quality piece of jewellery. No glue guns here!
Status: Available in my Etsy shop, where you will also find more photos.
This eclectic collar is a fusion of bohemian, art deco, and art nouveau styles.
Butterfly Woman’s face is polymer clay with a steel-blue patina. Her headdress was constructed with upcycled vintage jewellery and includes a genuine Moonstone set in sterling silver. She is cradled in a thread-embroidered Monarch butterfly in a vivid red-orange colour. (The embroidery has been treated so that it is water and stain resistant.)
The arms of the collar are comprised of sparkly black Czech seed beads and various other beads stitched onto faux leather. One side of the collar features a silver-metal filigree studded with copper and purple glass beads and glass crystals. The other side of the collar presents an asymmetrical contrast of sparkly black Czech seed beads, pale blue glass crystals, and vintage Rose Montees.
Continuing up the arms of the collar, you will find Art Deco style links from an upcycled necklace. These links are most likely silver-plate (although I can’t be sure because of their upcycled nature) and are set with red glass stones and red enamelling.
The lobster clasp is silver-plated metal and its extra-large size makes the necklace easier to fasten.
Two extension chains, set at different levels, will allow the necklace to fit all neck sizes and necklines.
The bottom dangle adds a surprising accent of a gypsy-like Czech glass flower bead and an Asian-style ceramic donut bead.
The collar was hand-beaded and hand-stitched by me. The backing is faux (vegan) leather (last photo).
The butterfly section is 5 inches (13cm) long (from the top of the headdress to the bottom of the dangle) and 3 inches (7.5cm) wide at its widest point.
Each arm of the collar is 5.5 inches (14cm) long (including the red and silver links) and 1.5 inches (4cm) wide at its widest point.
The chain is a total of 5 inches (12.5cm) long on each side, and includes two extension chains that are set at different levels to allow the necklace to fit all neck sizes and necklines. The chain is most likely silver-plate, although I can’t be sure because of its upcycled nature.
All jump rings are doubled for extra security.
If you would like to know about the Making of Butterfly Woman, you can find notes about the creative process in this post.
