Gypsy Fairy Necklace

For any of you who are smitten with dolls, with antiques, with fairies, with playtime, with simple gathering and stitching, here is a necklace for you! Contained within a small leather and vintage lace pouch, or pocket, is an actual “frozen charlotte” antique porcelain doll (appr. 3”), unearthed from grounds surrounding a German doll factory where she had been buried for over 100 years. We’ll stitch and wire a lovely gypsy fairy necklace, using simple sewing and wiring techniques to attach gemstone and pearl beads, charms, to create a whimsical trinket fit for any fairy aficionado. Come prepared to spend a day of play, sewing and assembling a necklace that would please everyone from grandchildren to fairy queens. and if you wish to use the pouch to carry something else – a tiny bottle of sea water, a bundle of carved sticks, a special rock – then you can certainly include those things as well. No advanced skills necessary – just a desire for creative play. Bring a favorite tiny doll from home, or for a fee, you may purchase an antique frozen charlotte doll in class.

Kit Fee: $6

Supply List:

• Ribbon, assorted
• Scrap chain (link style) – two feet is ample (I used base metal for mine; good source is etsy or ebay)*
• Scraps of heavy fabric or suede/leather for pouch
• Scraps of lighter fabrics and lace for embellishment
• Vintage trims – sequins, flowers, etc (optional)
• Pearls, gemstone beads, cut glass beads*
• Fine wire – I used 26 gauge sterling, but other metal will be fine; just make sure it is small enough to go through beads; amount is up to you, but it is good to have enough to feel free to create. I’d go with at least 20 feet.
• Small amount of sterling 26 gauge wire for drawing bead tip on end, for dangling pearls, etc. – ten feet will be enough
• Small amount of 20 gauge wire – for loops attaching pouch to rest of necklace (I used sterling, but base metal is fine, such as copper), and for hook clasp; 3 feet will be ample
• Sharp leather sewing needle (available at etsy.com – just do a search)
• Regular embroidery needle
• Embroidery thread, your choice of colors
• Good scissors
• ruler
• Wire snips, round needle nosed pliers, bent needle nosed pliers – all available from volcanoarts.biz as a set, or separately
  
  *I used sterling circles and rectangles that I purchased from artist cathy dailey’s etsy shop here
  
  you’ll also find a variety of briolette drop beads, pearls, Czech glass, etc at etsy as well – just do a search for whatever you wish to incorporate into your necklace and cottage(s). A good Czech glass etsy shop is fivesisters, here
  
  Kit Fee Includes:
• (tuck into an envelope with your name on it, then pack into your supplies) for antique “frozen charlotte” porcelain doll – most are missing arms or feet, as they were tossed and buried for over 100 years as “rejects” from the German doll factory; but that is the beauty of sewing the pouch, and the beauty of magic and love as well. Remember the velveteen rabbit!