Etsy BeadWeavers - Royalty Themed

Every month the Etsy Beadweavers does a challenge - and this month's is all about Royalty! My entry was for the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland :)

Go vote! I'm #60 but don't feel like you have to vote for me unless you want to :P

And don't forget to enter in this week's Giveaway!

Bead Soup Surprise

Don't forget to go sign up for my Giveaway!

I'm participating in the latest edition of "Bead Soup" hosted by Lori Anderson of Pretty Things. She does these periodically, and I've had a lot of fun participating! The above picture is the soup that I mailed out today...no you can't see what it is yet :P Not until Shay gets it! Once Shay and I have each received each other's soup I'll show you an un-smudged picture so you can actually see it :) 

This is my current project - and it's been quite a journey! Every month the Etsy Bead Weavers does a challenge, and this month's challenge is to do something for a Queen, any Queen. I picked the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland because, honestly, can really imagine me making something for a real person? If you've ever seen my reading list you know its largely fantasy, so there you go. 

Now your probably looking at that and going, "Journey? Doesn't look like too much work ... " Well, you'd be right. I started this piece earlier today. The problem has been getting to the point of creating this piece. 

I started out with what I'll call pattern 1. I was using red and white because for some reason that's what I thought the Red Queen wore. Well, I had the red right at least. Anyway, the red and white beads I had chosen were "technically" the same size classification, but didn't actually match in size. Which really didn't work for pattern 1. I really wanted to do that pattern, and had no other ideas, so I did an image search for the Red Queen. 

As you can see the Red Queen is actually red, black, some gold, and white trim. Hmm... So I tried pattern 1 again with red and black. Although this is a pattern I've done before, it just didn't want to behave. On to pattern 2! I had an idea that I tried to create (my own pattern) that didn't show up the way I envisioned it. I may still put that together at some point (after reworking it) but I'm starting to get down to the deadline! Plus I was getting tired of things going horribly wrong. That's when I got the idea for making a beadwoven heart.

Of course that's when I lost my black thread and sprained my wrist! Oh dear. Well, I finally have all the pieces together, and I'm working hard to get it done as fast I can. Sprained wrist? What's that? Ace-bandage and some tylenol and I'm still beading! 

Alice In Wonderland

Off topic from the antique button jewelry world, I know, but just as important just the same! I know...I'm what, 41? Well, when it comes to Alice, I will never grow up! I own The Complete Works of Lewis Carrol, The Annotated Alice, and Alice's Adventures Under Ground which is the published facsimile of the original story and artwork by Lewis Carrol for the original recipient. This is in addition to various other editions in my collection.
My favorite computer game? American McGee's Alice.
My favorite Disney movie? Alice in Wonderland.
My favorite mug? My Alice in Wonderland mug that depicts Alice under a tree with the Cheshire cat. The best part? The cat disappears (except his smile) when the mug is full of hot water!

My husband got me a very nicely framed picture depicting various matted illustrations from Tenniel (my favorite Alice illustrator). I prize my Polish hand blown Alice Christmas ornaments, as well as my plethora of other Alice collectibles and clothes. What can I say? That story pulled me out of many a funk when I was a kid and I am happy to say that it still does to this day!

Now...the best part of Tim Burton recreating this wonderful classic? You can be that Johnny Depp will be cast in there somewhere.


And, to my pleasure, he is one of my favorite characters...The Mad Hatter! My other favorite? The Cheshire Cat. Either way, I can't lose! Yes, I admit it. I have been in love with Johnny Depp since I saw him in Nightmare on Elm Street as a teenager when the movie first came out in theaters. It was actually a date I went on. Poor date. He could never compare to the handsome creature that met his fate by being eaten by the bed. Have been smitten ever since then. Don't worry, Johnny, I'm not a stalker...just an admirer (and dreamer)! My husband is still jealous of Mr. Depp...after all these years!

Okay, enough of my rant. Just be it known that I will be waiting patiently for 2010!