Mamie Raynaud – USA

Victoria in Shanghai

Description

To say that this crown is about East meeting West would be simplistic. The concept began with height in reverse order (circles) countering what we would expect for proportion and stability. I wanted something “upside down” but not obvious. This idea gave birth to the three circles and the literal idea of balance.

From the circles multiple layers of balance emerged, the first being the angular and round combinations. I wanted the crown to represent many ideas of “hard and soft.” The geometric shapes within the circles, and the sharp geometric points within the crown. Also, the use of materials, combining the edgier leather wrap and metal wires with the softer feminine lace, and quiet pearl beads.

There is also the natural contrasting colors of dark and light, and to create a Western crown with my Chinese heritage influence. The beading and gold colors paid homage to the Chinese wedding crown, but the black leather and ivory were contradictory colors wore by the West. What manifested in the end was equilibrium in multiple dimensions.

Materials

• Millinery & floral wires
• Imitation pearl & rhinestones beads on wire
• Guipure lace
• Deer skin leather
• Acrylic paint, thread, glue
• Modge Podge stiffener

Techniques

• Complete hand wiring: 1 wire for base crown, 3 wires for geometric design inside circles (1 per circle), and 1 wire for two smaller circles, 1 for larger circle. Five wires used to limit breaks resulting in a stronger crown. Wires were hand bound with thread and clear craft glue.
• The geometric shapes were formed using pinch nose pliers and attached within each circle with thread. Once complete circles and wired crown were painted several coats of gold acrylic paint.
• Hand cut Guipure lace appliqués were hand-stitched with floral wire, and stiffened with Modge Podge. Each appliqués were placed strategically behind the geometric shapes within the circle and attached with thread.
• The base crown was wired with two pearl bead sizes, and rhinestones. Wired only in the areas the circles did not cover. -After the wiring, black deer leather was hand wrapped between the wires and on the remainder of the entire crown. –Leather was secured with leather glue.
• Once the beads and leather were completed on the crown, the circles were attached with thread at secure and balanced points.
• Additional beads were wired to fill in on loose gaps on the crown.