Ever since I can remember, I've been a big fan of the Elizabethan era. Almost since the moment I began to sing in Jr. high school, madrigals were my very favorite songs. From "Fair Phyllis" to "Now is the Month of Maying" to PDQ Bach's "The Queen to me a Royal Pain doth Give", and "My Bonnie Lass She Smelleth". Good times ;~). Later on when I joined the professional choral group Bel Canto Company, the early music of Byrd, Tallis and Gibbons would always make my heart soar. We staged a Renaissance Feast and participated in a local Medieval Faire where I created many of the costumes and banners we used. So when the challenge theme of Royalty through the ages was announced, there was no question I would go Elizabethan.
Elizabeth I (7 September 1533 – 24 March 1603) was Queen of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty. The elaborately starched and ruffled collars worn by the Queen were high fashion during the Elizabethan era as were pearls of every shape and size.
This collar necklace is inspired by the use of pearls and ruffs in Elizabethan fashion. Antique gold glass pearls are woven in a netted pattern with cream pearl and luster bronze seed beads to form a slightly ruffled collar. The middle of the collar is embellished with 11 beautiful antique gold glass pearl drops. The 18" long necklace is finished with a peyote loop and bronze firepolished crystal closure and another pearl drop at the back.
Please visit our team blog, www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com (http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com) between the 9th and 15th and vote for your favorite entry. Until then, you can go to Etsy and get a preview of all the incredible entries fit for royalty http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_query=EBWC&search_type=handmade&shopname=beadn4fun
