Inspired by the concept of water being a host to life. Our oceans team with an array of flora and fauna and remain one of the most unexplored areas of our world.
Snorkelling and diving give us an opportunity to explore this world and marvel at its expansive variety.

I have hand crafted a raised fascinator base from a navy parisisal capeline. The base has been stiffened, wired, lined and fitted with a Petersham band.

The remaining straw has been blocked on to a wave form block, stiffeners and then covered with a soft purple leather and positioned to create a ‘cliff ledge’.

The adornment of the piece is a collection of handcrafted items arranged to depict a coral reef.

Petersham ribbon has been folded and stitched and had beads sewn in to the fold voids to create anemones.

Goose biots have been tied to create star bursts positioned below the ‘cliff ledge’ as a form of coral.

A piece of orange leather has been wet, wrapped around beads of varying sizes and allowed to dry. The beads were then removed leaving a hollow delicate bubble effect on the leather depicting a form of sea life commonly found on reefs.

Tubular crin has been used in create two different coral forms, one wired.

And finally a fine metal mesh fabric has been used to cover most of the base. The wire fabric creates a shimmer and plays with the light as does water. It also represents the fishing nets that commonly destroy reefs.

The colours used are not vivid or vibrant. Coral reefs used to be glorious and bright but due to climate change are becoming increasingly muted.

This watery world and indeed Water itself is precious, fragile, sensitive and beautiful.

Note: Entries have been not been edited or proofread to protect the integrity of the maker's original meaning.