For Sale: Dewdrops Of Green Garnet

#24.

Another scintillating green piece! Don't you just love the sparkles on the "gems"?

If I can, I'd make everything in green. Haha!

The "gems" for this piece are cut from this mother-lode of "garnet" - an old linen cushion cover that I found at the thrift store.

I was going to use it over our cushion but the zip broke after it came out from its first wash. Oh, well, now we have new "gems"!

Product Information:
4All pieces are 100% handstitched with loads of love
4Each piece is a one-off - no two pieces of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels are the same
4The larger "gems" measure 4.5cm in diameter and the smaller ones are 3cm
4From the "gem" on the left to the last one on the right: 32cm
4Length of ribbon-tie: 38cm on each side

Price:
4AU$49.00 (for currency converter, click here) - cheap for a one-of-a-kind handmade piece compared to those mass-produced chainstore trinkets!

To purchase:
4Click here for shipping and payment information

Bye-bye, Baubles!

For sale at the Leeloo stall this weekend.

At The Finders Keepers Independent Design And Art Markets.


The Finders Keepers
When:
Friday 15 May 2009 from 6pm to 10pm
Saturday 16 May 2009 from 12noon to 10pm

Where:
Carriageworks
245 Wilson Street
Eveleigh

How to get there:
For directions, click here

For Sale: Dewdrops Of Fuzzy Sapphire

#23.

Made from one of the many pieces of suede-like fabric that I bought recently.






















I love their rich warm fuzzy-ness so be expecting to see more of them here soon.

Product Information:
4All pieces are 100% handstitched with loads of love
4Each piece is a one-off - no two pieces of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels are the same
4The larger "gems" measure 4.5cm in diameter and the smaller ones are 2.5cm
4From the first "gem" on the left to the last one on the right: 29cm
4Length of ribbon-tie: 38cm on each side

Price:
4AU$55.00 (for currency converter, please click here) - cheap for a quality one-of-a-kind handmade piece compared to those mass-produced chainstore trinkets!

To purchase:
~ Please click here for shipping and payment information

A Galaxy Of Fuzzy Marble Stars

#22.

Took a cheeky break from making things for Leeloo's order and made something for myself.

This piece of taupe suede-like fabric was bought a while ago, to make a commissioned piece for my pal Poochie but I haven't been inspired so I thought I'd use it to make myself some sort of a neck-warmer thing for the cold months ahead (Sorry, Poochie but I've got more of the fabric and in a variety of colours too).

It started out as a scarf with a long row of the largest "gems" but it didn't turn out like I'd imagined.

Decided on this setting after I completed #21 and loved it.

I love its fuzziness and it does keep my neck warm if I wear it short.

And the colour so easily goes with all the things in nude and neutral shades that make up most of my winter wardrobe!

Will be putting some up in the shop soon!

Blushing...

The lovely Pearl (it's her real name - how apt for someone who loves gems!) over at The Beading Gem's Journal stumbled upon The Empress Dowager's New Jewels some time back and asked if she could feature them on her blog.

Of course, I replied. I was very very flattered!

Her post about my swindling ways is up. You can read it here and while you're at it, do have a look at the other pretty things that she's written about.

Thank you again, Pearl! xxx

The Jewels Are Going To The Markets!

It's been kind of crazy here in the Imperial Workshop.

Angela, the super-lovely boss-lady over at Leeloo, has placed an order for some Empress Dowager's New Jewels to sell at her stall at The Finders Keepers Independent Design & Art Market next weekend!

I've madly sewing day and night, to meet the submission deadline of 13 May next week.

I'm showing the new pieces here but most of them will be going to The Finders Keepers, including those currently up for sale in The Shop (I will be stocking The Shop once this madness is over with new and exciting stuff).

Meanwhile, do go have a good nosey-around at The Finders Keepers for it is one of the best showcase for local independent designers and artists around - I've been shopping with them since their early days when they were tiny and known as The Hope Street Market then.

And if you're one who needs to touch and feel things before buying them, do go see Angela at the Leeloo stall and try on some Empress Dowager's New Jewels.

The Finders Keepers
When:
Friday 15 May 2009 from 6pm to 10pm
Saturday 16 May 2009 from 12noon to 10pm

Where:
Carriageworks
245 Wilson Street
Eveleigh

How to get there:
For directions, click here

A Galaxy Of Ruby Stars

#21.

Whoopeedoo! A new setting!

Wonkily asymmetrical. With "gems' of four different sizes including new extra-large ones!

It reminds me of those planetary charts in school where the stars are aligned thus, the name.

I made A Galaxy Of Ruby Stars to be worn long or at a medium length to show the "gems" off but...

...it looks just as drama-mama worn short.

I love it! Definitely making more in the same setting.

The "rubies" are cut from this cute 100% cotton abstract heart-print soft-furnishings fabric from Ikea. Not the usual Marimekko fabric that I use but just as pretty.

A Galaxy Of Ruby Stars has been given as a gift to the lovely Angela at Leeloo for being such a fantastic "den mother"!

Product Information:
4All pieces are 100% handstitched with loads of love
4Each piece is a one-off - no two pieces of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels are the same
4"Gem" size (from the smallest to the biggest): 2cm, 2.5cm, 4.5cm and 6.5cm
4From the first "gem" on the left to the last one on the right: 41cm
4Length of ribbon-tie: 38cm on each side

Price:
4AU$55.00 - cheap for a quality one-of-a-kind handmade piece compared to those mass-produced chainstore trinkets!

Dainty Bullets Of Peridot & Yellow Tourmaline (SOLD!)

#20.

It's been a while since I made something dainty.

Besides, I've got some small scraps of Marimekko fabric that I want to use up, so small that all I can fashion out of them are these cute little "gems".

My all-time favourite Unikko which I first used to make Dewdrops Of Jade and...

...Marhaba from which I also cut A Delicate Cascade of Peridot.

I really love the lemon-and-lime colours of this piece.

They translate well on the reverse as well!

Product Information:
4All pieces are 100% handstitched with loads of love
4Each piece is a one-off - no two pieces of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels are the same
4The "gems" measure 2.5cm each
4From the first "gem" on the left to the last one on the right: 26.5cm
4Length of ribbon-tie: 38cm on each side

~ SOLD! ~

Sold: A Clump Of Rock(Candy)

#19.

I love the glorious technicolour of this piece!

So happy and good-enough-to-eat. Like those artificially-coloured rock candy that my dad refused to let me have when I was a child.

Still loving the Clump setting - I think crazy-colour or printed fabric works best with a simple setting such as this.

Again, like most of The Empress Dowager's New Jewels, it can be worn close to the neck or...

...let free to swing at a longer length.


I thought the colours of this stripey soft furnishings fabric from Ikea would make people dizzy if the necklace was worn with the ruched side showing but I was pleasantly surprised...

...It's quite pleasing, actually.

SOLD!

#11 & #15 - Together Forever!

A Clump Of Silver and Pink Tourmaline Dream have both arrived safely at their new home in Singapore. Where I used to live!

I didn't know their lovely new owner Kailuo from before. She found the blog-shop, got in touch and bought them both at one go!

Here she is, with #11. Isn't it cute that she's got a matching clutch?! I hope that that's a happy and satisfied smile.

And here she is again with #15. I like how she's wearing it a little off kilter!

Thank you, Kailuo! For keeping the two "sisters" together and for sending the photos! xx