Royal Family Orders Round 2

Right!!  Because I can't just let things go and I am constantly attempting to improve upon something I have made in the past (last year's Royal Orders tutorial and worn), I decided earlier in February to make new and improved Royal Orders for 2015.  I also wanted to make a set for my Mama and teach a little workshop for the ladies that belong to We Wear History.  To that end, I had been revisiting my Royal Family Orders Pinterest board and even started a new Victoria and Albert Orders board.  

Yes, I know that I am a little OCD with my obsession of all things Royal families...I do apologize.  BUT!!!  I just had to share with you all the fun things I discovered!!!  That's what this blog is all about to me.  If I find something, I LOVE to share it so that you can make your own sparklies!!  Also, I admit whole heartedly that I am a total and complete MAGPIE!!!! 

Ok...on to the new orders, sparklies, discoveries and fun things!!

My new suite of Royal Orders

Left to Right:

The Queen Madeline Order (She was my Great-Great-Aunt) 

The Tsar Gregory Family Order (He's my husband!)

The Queen Maud Family Order

The Elizabeth I of Russia Family Order

Queen Madeline Family Order

Badge of the Order of Victoria and Albert (first class)
Source:  Royal Collection Trust

My Badge Ribbon.  I chose to name her after my Great-Grandma's sister, Madeline.  I found the cameo at a local antiques store and promptly headed to Hobby Lobby to find a crystal surround to put her in!

Huzzah and away!!!  The pearl cabochon was the perfect size for my cameo!  It was so super crazy  how perfect the fit was!!!

I went home and popped the cabochon out with my seam ripper, and glued in the cameo.

For the crown, I found this lovely charm at Hobby Lobby.  The original Order has what looks like red enamel behind the crown, so I cut some burgundy silk to size and glued that to the back.

For the crystal "arch" going over the bow center, I cut apart the arched parts of the above crown.  I know...it's a perfectly good crown piece, but I had already used the good part on a previous order.

I already had some wonderful ivory moire ribbon so just made a bow and some tails.  The tails I unravelled like the original and, voila!!!  Completed order!!!

One Pendant....Three looks!!!

Ok, so now the exciting part!!!  I had been perusing the orders Pinterest page and saw one that I had pinned a while back but had totally forgotten all about.  I do that a lot...just ask my wonderful friend Kat!!  Anyhoo, I had been looking at it and thinking how gorgeous it was.  I noticed that the cabochon was beveled and surrounded by small diamonds.  "How utterly incredible this is", I thought.  I found myself that same day at Hobby Lobby in the jewelry aisle looking for the pieces for my Madeline Order and noticed an interesting piece of jewelry findings.  I was staring at it and wondering how I could use it in my costuming.  Then it hit me like a Mac truck.  OHMYGOODHEAVENS!!!!  THAT CABOCHON HAS A BEVELED EDGE AND LOOK!!!!  THERE ARE TINY CRYSTALS AROUND THE EDGE!!!  JUST LIKE THE ORDER I WAS LOOKING AT!!

OH MY GIDDY AUNT!!!

I ripped my phone out of my back pocket, went to Pinterest and located the image I was thinking of.  There it was.  So incredibly beyone perfect as to be somewhat freaky.  I immediately grabbed the three remaining jewelry findings and quickly made my way to the front of the store to make my purchases.  I had to get home and start creating!!!

Below is the waaaaay fun jewelry finding that became my own Elizabeth I of Russia ribbon.

(For the next three orders, I used the Market Fair jewelry finding for the base.)

What a simple little thing that made me giddy with excitement!!!

I went home and used my seam ripper to pop the glass cabochon out of the surrounding.

Elizabeth I of Russia Order

The original Elizabeth ribbon order.  I found it on Pinterest and have looked in vain to find the source and any information on this.  Can't find any.  I Googled Elizabeth I of Russia and she looks very much like this lady, so I am going to go with the information that I read on Pinterest.

My Elizabeth Order

For the crown of the order, I used the top piece of this art-i-cake jewelry finding.

Another image of the art-i-cake finding.

A quick search on Google, gave me a copy right free image of the beautiful QEI of Russia...thank you Wikipedia!!  I had a length of yellow moire ribbon on hand so made up the bow like I invisioned the original to look like when it was new.

Queen Maud Family Order

Source:  Royal Collection Trust

Queen Maud is one of my very favorite Royals of old, so I thought it would be a fun thing to make an order with her lovely face on it!  It was hard finding a good image of her as I could only find one painting of her!!  So bizarre as she was Queen of Norway!  

My Queen Maud Order

I started with the Market Fair base and added an outer oval of larger crystals.

The outer oval of larger crystals started out as a perfect circle.  I very gently started...for lack of a better word...smashing the circle into an oval.

When I got the circle into the shape of an oval that I was satisfied with, it was too large to fit around the smaller setting, so I cut the top four crystals off the oval and it fit much better.  I really liked the look of one of the orders I had seen where the corwn was sitting on top of an inner ring of diamonds, so left an opening at the top of th oval.

To fill in the whole that was left by the crystal removal, I filled it in with a piece of a necklace that I took apart.  The ribbon I had left over from last year's Tsar Greg Order.  I again used an arch from the large crown from art-i-cake.

Tsar Gregory Family Order

Source:  Thoughts of a Depressive Diplomatist

For my Tsar Gregory Order, I wanted it to be a bit larger and fancier as this one would be in honor of my fabulous husband.  I really liked the top ribbon that Princess Alice of Teck is wearing.  The bow loops and tails are quite large and make quite a statement.  (Princess Alice is also one of my favorite royals of old!!!)

The Tsar Gregory Order.  Isn't he handsome!

I found this buckle at Hobby Lobby in the sewing department by the buttons.  I cut out the center bar and molded and bended and coaxed the shape of the buckle to fit around the glass cabochon!  It fit so snugly that it took very little glue to hold it in place!  Huzzah!!!

To top off the order, I used one of these buttons from Hobby Lobby again.  HL has a great selection of sparklies for Magpies like me!!!  I glued it to the top of the crystals and then sewed it to the light blue moire ribbon that I found at one of my favorite antiques stores in town!!!

For the crystla arch, I again used one of the arches from the art-i-cake crown.

My very lovely friend Kat of Madame Modiste blog has made a most wonderful Queen Alexandra Order and several wonderful Cipher ribbons that I hope she will share in the future...She found her own pendant/jewelry findings and removed the glass cabochon to insert a gorgeous image of Queen Alexandra.  It is so gorgeous!!!  

I hope this has given you some ideas on how to make an order or a jewelry piece that can be personalized for your costuming or everyday wardrobe!

Be Blessed my friends!  Have a great Sunday!

g

PS....thank you to the great ladies who went to Hobby Lobbies round the US to get me Market Fair cabochons so my ladies can make their own family orders!  You are all Rock Stars!!!

Addendum:  Finishing the Orders....

Ok, not really a finished part, but here you can see an arch that has been removed from the crown piece.  I simply use Super Glue to glue it to the ribbon.  You can also use necklace spacers (which I believe Kat is planning on using as they have great loops to sew them on).  I used some necklace spacers on my first orders, but I didn't like the way they ended up looking...if you want to see what I mean you can see it Here.

How I will finish the back of the Tsar Gregory order.  This is the old one, but I plan on doing the exact same thing once I find the metal sheets.  I simply cut an oval the same shape as the existing piece and since it was an adhesive backed piece of metal paper, it stuck quite nicely to the pendant.

"Metal" adhesive sheets.  I found these in the scrapbooking aisle at a local crafts store.

 

The Queen Maud and QEI of Russia Orders.  Happily, the backs of the original jewelry pieces were finished in a most lovely pattern, so I didn't have to put any adhesive metal paper on the back.  I finished off with a 1" pin with clasp.  For a lot of the sewing on of the metal pieces, I used a fine mono filament....or fine fishing line, whatever you have on hand!

1" pin backs.  Makes pinning to dresses quite easy!!

For all of the gluing together of the metal pieces I simply used super glue and gave everything a nice long while to cure.  Some of my costuming friends use B-6000.  I have never used it but I have heard really good reviews!  

Hope this helps!  If you have more questions, please ask!

The House of White Star Tiara

For some time now, I have been in lust with Star Tiaras, I don't know what it is about these beautiful tiaras, but my eyes dilate, my salivary glands go into overdrive, and I get warm fuzzies all over when I see them.  Before you ask, of course I have a Pinterest board... Tiaras: Stars.  I go there regularly to drool and dream and wish. 

   

I purchased this Star Tiara from Seperwar when they finally came out with one...but it was too small for my taste and while I do love it, I have been hankering for something more substantial.  I adore the Rundell Tiara that belonged to Queen Alexandra, Queen Maxima's Button/Star Tiara, and Queen Sophia's Star and Pearl Tiara.  I had been on the look out for quite some time for stars that I could use to make my own tiara.  I am not a jeweler and have no clue as to how to go about creating a tiara, so the tiara I had in mind had to be a simple one to create from other pieces...sort of a Frankentiara.  I finally found the perfect pieces on eBay, and they came in the mail on Saturday.  I spent last night and all this morning bring my Frankentiara to life...

Sheeeee liiiiiiiives!!!!!

I am pleased to introduce to you

The House of White Star Tiara

Inspiration

Inspiration for this simple tiara came from the following three tiaras.  Since I had to make it a simple design, I was more than thrilled to have these three babies on my Pinterest board for easy reference!

Source:  Christies

I really liked the curved "supports" that swoop between the stars on this circa 1880s tiara.  I used this inspiration to support the stars on my tiara.

Source:  Sotheby's

I like how there are just stars and nothing else on this circa 1890s tiara.  It is simple, but makes quite a statement!  

Source:  Marie's Jewels and Royals

This is such a lovely tiara.  I have tried to find more information on it, but to no avail....

Source:  Recycled Movie Costumes Tumblr

I noticed this fabulous star tiara worn by Estella, while watching the 2011 version of Great Expectations.  I thought, "Ohmygosh!  That would be so easy to make!  I just need stars in different sizes and time!!!"

I then found the stars on eBay and purchased them.  

Source:  Recycled Movie Costumes Tumblr

Theeeeeen, I was perusing Facebook and noticed that my fabulous friend Kat had posted a picture of the same tiara that had been worn on Great Expectations, being used on Galavant.  I have never seen this series, but after seeing that they used this tiara, perhaps I should!!

Ok!  On to the Star Frankentiara Tutorial!!!

Tools:

dykes

needle nose pliers

dremel tool, file, or rasp

your hands

Supplies:

super glue

stars

headpins

tiara base (I cannibalized a very old tiara for mine)

velvet ribbon or fabric cut on the bias and made into bias strips that match your hair

Star Brooch from eBay

I ordered 5 of this brooch thinking I needed 4 small tiaras and one extra, just in case.  It is a really nice brooch.  A bit darker alloy metal than the jewelry and tiaras I have ordered, but they still look pretty sweet!

I knew I would need some pretty stiff wire for the attachment of the stars.  I have used floral wire before and it is too flimsy.  So, I was happy to happen upon these wire headpins in the bead section of Michaels.

I know the headpin box says 3", but I thought I'd show the pin against the ruler.

Let's Begin!

Step 1:  Remove anything from the back from the star, such as the pin and in the case of my stars, the loop that was used to attach the chain to both stars.  Use your dykes to remove these pieces.  If you wish, you can use a dremel tool, file or rasp to smooth down the pieces of metal left behind after you remove the unwanted appendages.

I thought I'd show for reference the size of the stars.

Attaching the Stars to the Tiara Base

Step 2:  Using your super glue, affix the headpin wires to the stars.  I chose to have one of the long points be at the top, so my wire followed that design decision.  The glue and the alloy of the star had to really be coaxed into playing well with each other on some of the stars.  I found that the low setting on my hair dryer hastened the drying of the glue.  

Don't even bother working with the stars until the glue is truly and fully set.

Step 3:  Decide how tall you want your tiara.  This will determine the placement of the stars and the bending of the wire to attach the stars to the tiara base.  I just eyeballed mine.  

Step 4:  When you have decided the height of your tiara, bend the wire of the largest, middle star's wire to a 90 degree angle using the needle nosed pliers.

Step 5:  Attach your first star to the tiara base.  I just eyeballed where the center of the tiara base would be (I am sure you could measure to the exact center, but if you have been reading this blog for any time at all, you know that I don't measure...I eyeball)  Holding the wire very tightly to the tiara base, wrap the wire around the base.  Get the wire wrap as tight as you can.  Crimp with the needle nose pliers to tighten.  Then give the crimp a heavy dose of super glue.  Allow to dry.

Oh yes!!!  I bent my stars out from the tiara so they weren't sticking straight up and down...I noticed on many of the antique tiaras that they were attached at an angle....

Step 6:  Support curves.  I discovered that when I tried the tiara on after just the single wire attachment, the stars trembles and swayed...I did not like that one bit.  Searching Pinterest, I discovered the antique tiara above that has the curving support wires.  I simply bent the headpin wires in a lazy "J" formation and played around with the back of the stars until I got what I thought looked good.  I then used that one wire as a template for the rest of the wires...10 in all.

Step 7:  Attach the support wires to the right and left sides of the main wire, securing with super glue at both the tiara base and the star itself.  This will give the stars support and keep them from trembling.

Another picutre of the support wire next to the base wire.

All three wires holding the star correctly.

Use steps 1-7 to attach all 5 stars to the tiara base.  I eyeballed one side of the tiara then marked where the base wire met the tiara base on a piece of paper using a sharpie to use as a template for the other side.  If you are so inclined to use a measuring tape to place your star bases, go right on ahead!  hahahahaha!!! ;-)

I decided my stars needed to be sloped...not straight across.  Again, I eyeballed the decline in height to what looked good to me!

Attaching Bobby Pin Loops to the Tiara Base

To make the bobby pin loops, I needed a circular something to bend the headpin wire around.  I have a lovely antique, bone awl that belonged to my Great-Grandma Hazel.

For those of you who like measurements...here you go.

Step 1:  Take headpin wire and wrap it tightly around the awl making sure that it is a tight wrap.

Step 2:  Slide headpin wire off awl and cut ends so that the full length is about 1" with loop in the middle of the wire.

Step 3:  Glue loop wire in between the 2nd and 3rd star support wires on both sides of the tiara base.  Sorry for this picture...I didn't even think about photographing this step until after the tiara was completed.

I also added bobby pin loops to the very end of the tiara as this particular base didn't have any loops built into it....

Finishing the Tiara

During my research and general drool sessions on tiaras I discovered something fascinating.  One of the things that is used on many tiaras is ribbon or velvet, or velvet ribbon.  The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor has a fabulous article about Tiaras and Hair where I learned about the ribbon wrap that many tiaras sport now a days.  You guessed it!!  I also have started a Pinterest board for further research...Tiaras: Velvet Cushion Base.

For my tiara, I didn't have any velvet ribbon that would match my hair, and I am pretty sure that without an act of God, I will more than likely never find any.  I raided my silk stash and discovered some dupioni silk in a reddish-brown that comes close enough to my hair color that I am very pleased with the occurance!

Step 1:  Cut fabric on the bias, 1.5" by about 3'.  I cut mine a bit shorter and was subsequently short when wrapping my tiara base.  Better to have too much than too little.

Step 2:  Using a hot iron (Mine was on high as I was using the dupioni silk), fold bias strip in half length wise, ironing as you go.  The strip is placed under a ruler for those of you who need it.

Step 3:  Unfold bias strip and lightly iron it open.  You don't want the crease to be removed, you simply want the strip to lay open easily for step 4.

Step 4:  Take one side and fold the edge to the center fold....ironing as you go down the length of the strip.

Step 5:  Do the other side.

Step 6:  A final spraying and ironing is needed to make the bias strips nice and crisp on their folds.  Looks like the final measurement is 3/8th of an inch...right?

Step 7:  Starting on the inside of one end of the tiara base, place the very end of the bias strip on the tiara base, wrap the bias strip around it once and start a diagonal wrapping of the tiara base.

Keep the diagonal wrapping of the bias strip around the tiara base up until you come to the opposite end.

You can see here where I stuck the bias strip under the support wires and around the bobby pin loops.  You can also see the ugly back sides of the stars.  I am thinking about how to make them pretty.  Or, I may just make my hair big and fluffy so no one can see the backs of the stars.

Use a line of super glue to hold the bias strip in place at the very end of the tiara base and your tiara is complete!!

Taaaaaa Daaaaaaa!!!!

Word of warning.  If you are allergic to super glue, you might have to think of a way that your fingers won't end up looking like mine!!!  Yes, that is a ton of super glue on my fingers!

The House of White Star Tiara...this is a clearer picture of the stars, but I still can't make my camera cooperate on the angle of the picture....

Aaaand from the side!

I didn't do my hair in a Royal fashion today, so I won't have any pictures of me wearing the tiara until I get all dressed up fancy like in the future...but it does fit and it looks great!!

I hope this inspires you to make your own star tiara and if you do, I would love to see your creation!

Blessings to you my friends!!

g