History of Craft
History of Jewelry: Seed Pearl
Among many types of antique jewelry the amazingly beautiful things made of pearls, tiny as a poppy seed, known as seed pearls stand out. They impress with their complexity and some special tenderness! I am very interested in these fantastic creations of human hands! What is their story?
Russian Imperial Family Doing Crafts
The last empress, the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, was a great artist. During her spare minutes she always embroidered, knitted, painted.
Heritage of England: Exquisite Embroidery by Helen M. Stevens
Helen M. Stevens was born in Belmont, Surrey, England. In 1981, she established her studio, True Embroideries, and since then her original embroidery became famous worldwide, presented at international exhibitions in Australia, USA, France, Italy,…
Embroidery Technique from Florene: The Forgotten Bargello and Its Limitless Possibilities
I first saw this technique in one of encyclopedias about embroidery — a few scant words about its history, basic rules and features. There was nothing special about the technique in these words. Just one of the options of the counted-thread embroidery. But there were pictures beside.
The Splendor of Spanish Religious Embroidery
One of the interesting facts about Catholic churches is that usually one doesn't see such a large number of icons like in Orthodox temples but they have really great statuary art.
History of Jewelry. Earrings
Through the pages of history.During excavations archaeologists find these pieces of jewelry everywhere, regardless of geography and era.
Chinese Painting — More Than an Image
I told you about the tools used by Chinese artists (ink, brushes, paper), how they frame finished paintings.
Papier-mache Dolls' Tale by Natalia Lopusova-Tomskaya
She is a mystery. Nobody knows how a mere mortal can buy her doll. They say, you need to sign up for the months ahead...
A Creative Approach by Helen M. Stevens: Stitch by Stitch
I want to introduce you to a wonderful book about satin stitch embroidery by Helen M. Stevens "One Simple Stitch" (publisher: Rainbow disks ltd).
Caroline Broadhead — Transforming Space Around Body
Caroline Broadhead is an artist and a jeweler, a choreographer and a teacher. She moves easily in many disciplines including jewellery, textiles, furniture, and also takes part in theatrical productions.
Art Nouveau Jewelry and Decor by Philippe Wolfers
At the end of the 19th and in the beginning of the 20th century the Art Nouveau style gave the world many talented jewellers. For example, in France it was Rene Lalique and Georges Fouquet, in Spain — Luis Masriera, in Belgium — Philippe Wolfers.
The History of Creation and Peculiarities of the Chinese Brush
Chinese craftsmen believe that a brush connects heaven and people. In the moment of creating a painting or a calligraphy work it becomes a conductor…
Amazing Rozenburg Porcelain of the Art Nouveau Epoch
Rozenburg Porcelain factory (Haagsche Plateelfabriek Rozenburg), the first in the Netherlands, adopted the features of the Art Nouveau stylistics at the beginning of the 20th century. Jurriaan Kok, the artistic director, together with chemist…
Temari: A Japanese Art of Embroidery on Balls. Ideas for Your Creativity
Temari story covers several centuries. It first appeared in China, grandmothers made them for children from scraps of old kimonos. The balls were imported to Japan in the 8th century. Then they were made so tight that they hopped and bounced from…
How Queens' Garments Were Washed and Where Stored
For example, the dresses of Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria (Sisi). According to the rules of Spanish etiquette (which was taken in the 16th century and…
Hippies and Love Beads
What's the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about hippies? Long hair, long music festivals and, of course, long, long strings of beads. The hippies called them "love beads". This term was firmly established in English in 1965.
A Scroll vs. a Frame or Why the Chinese Roll Paintings
The Europeans are accustomed that a picture should be framed and hung on a wall. In the East it's different. Nowadays, of course, baguette has penetrated there, and you can see there paintings on walls, but the traditional way of presenting a…
A Man-Made Miracle: the Famous Tablecloth with Birds from the Peranakan Museum in Singapore
Recently one of my friends visited the Singapore's famous Peranakan Museum. As I am doing restoration of old schemes for embroidery, at my request,…
Four Treasures of the Master's Cabinet: Ink and an Ink-pot
We learned how they make paper and brushes for painting and calligraphy in China. Now it's time to talk about ink, because according to the treatises on painting it is the blood of images.
Exhibition of Antiques in Balitmore
This year I was lucky enough to visit one of the largest exhibitions of antiques and vintage jewellery in the United States.
Unique Victorian Interior in Copenhagen
I offer you to look into an apartment in Copenhagen, the interior of which has not changed since 1898.
Samples of Antique Embroidery of 1770-1790
This coloured embroidery with repeating floral design is made on textile. Floral motifs were very popular during 1770-1790, the epoch of late rococo or braids. Clothes of the nobles — dress and camisoles — have been richly decorated.
15 Sweetest Animal Pillows Right from Italy by Francesca MosMea
Francesca MosMea from a small town in the North of Italy creates fairy-tale characters using threads, needles and painting on fabric. And then she turns them — what would you think? — into sweet pillows!
Interweaving Threads: Winter Vologda — The Keeper of Snowflake Lace
Lace charms, surprises with its elegance. When and how did it appear? Bobbin lace originated in Italy (according to another version — in the Netherlands) and gradually spread over many countries. In the 17th century, lace appeared in Russia together…
Brooches: A Fashionable Accessory from a Granny's Jewelry Box
Among a huge variety of women's jewelry, one of the most popular accessories types is brooches. Women have forgotten about this accessory for a little while and it could be found in a grandmother's jewelry box mostly.
65 Adorable Kid's Outfits of the Past
The evolution of children's fashion is no less interesting than the history of clothes for adults. From the 1770s until the end of the 19th century, little kids wore long dresses regardless of gender. Such outfit was considered to be comfortable and warm.
Fashion in Russia: Ekaterina Smolina and her Dress/Coat Concept
Twelve years ago Ekaterina Smolina wanted to sell at least one coat, and today she is the owner and designer of successful fashion house EkaterinaSmolina. The girl from St. Petersburg, born in the doctor's family, she's been dreaming not of scalpels and drop bottles, but about needles and threads.