Tutorials

Various cultures around the world have a great deal of influence on my work. La Boîte à Bijoux Chinoise or The Chinese Jewel Box is one where the intersection of 2 cultures gave birth to this happy creation.

During my recent sojourn to the beautiful Loire Valley of France, I had the great fortune to stay at the beautifully restored neoclassical Château du Grand-Lucé. At the Château there is a beautiful room called the Salon Chinois or the Chinese Salon with beautiful paintings by Jean-Baptiste Pillement. Pillement was a highly regarded muralist of the 18^th century who counted among his patrons Louis XV, Mdm de Pompadour and Marie Antoinette. The murals in the  Salon Chinois is one of only 3 completely intact remaining today. Chinoiserie was absolutely de rigueur during the period and this beautiful room had it in abundance.

The beautiful Chinese pavilions depicted in the murals with their curved hip roofs (庑殿顶 or wǔdiàndǐng) and resting hill roofs (歇山顶 or xiēshāndǐng) immediately leapt out to me and La Boîte à Bijoux Chinoise was born. The body of this small but intricate jewellery box is my interpretation of these Chinese style roofs with its elegant and seemingly interwoven curves. Embellished with nothing more than delicious magatamas or drop beads, the box is totally self-supporting and is woven completely in peyote. The lid is topped with a beautiful Czech gold foiled cabochon to create a precious “roof” for the jewellery box. The box sits on “legs” made of delightful Baroque cabochons. The number 8 is also extremely important to the Chinese as it is associated with wealth, prosperity and fortune. As such, La Boîte à Bijoux Chinoise is woven with 8 distinct repeats and sits on 8 “legs” to ensure that the owner of the box will be imbued with the power of the number 8.

A happy confluence of Chinese inspired architecture found in a French chateau.

To purchase additional gold foiled cabochons please click here.

Built the heart of the Palais de la Cité. in the middle of the 13th century by Louis 9th, the Sainte Chapelle was built as a royal residence. A sumptuous intimate chapel within the residence was intended to house precious Christian relics, including Christ's crown of thorns, acquired by Saint Louis.

Stunning stained glass windows adorn the beautiful chapel. Arranged across 15 windows, each 15 metres high, the stained glass panes depict 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments recounting the history of the world until the arrival of the relics in Paris. 

Today, the architecture and famous glass windows of the Sainte Chapelle represent a major example of the Radiant Gothic period. 

La Manchette Sainte Chapelle is created to honour these beautiful stained glass windows. Cubic right angle weave units form the frame of these “windows” with pointed peaks at each end of the frame to reflect the time honoured shape of these windows. Beautiful back lit cabochons that mimic the light through stained glass are encircled with exquisite twinkling firepolished beads, fill the space within the frames just like the beautiful windows of Sainte Chapelle. 

Built in the heart of the Palais de la Cité. in the middle of the 13th century by Louis 9th, the Sainte Chapelle was built as a royal residence. A sumptuous intimate chapel within the residence was intended to house precious Christian relics, including Christ's crown of thorns, acquired by Saint Louis.

Stunning stained glass windows adorn the beautiful chapel. Arranged across 15 windows, each 15 metres high, the stained glass panes depict 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments recounting the history of the world until the arrival of the relics in Paris. 

Today, the architecture and famous glass windows of the Sainte Chapelle represent a major example of the Radiant Gothic period. 

Le Collier de Sainte Chapelle is created to honour these beautiful stained glass windows. Cubic right angle weave units form the frame of these “windows” with pointed peaks to reflect the time honoured shape of these windows. Beautiful back lit cabochons that mimic the light through stained glass are encircled with exquisite twinkling firepolished beads, fill the space within the frames just like the beautiful windows of Sainte Chapelle. 

A handmade ornament is one of the most precious heirloom you can hand down to your children. It also makes an extremely meaningful and personal Christmas gift for a loved one or a dear friend. Your gift of love will certainly be cherished for many Christmases to come.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is made in 2 parts. First the peyote star is made. When the star is completed, we will bezel a chaton for the centre and embellish the arms of the star. We will also build a loop at the tip of one of the arms so that you can hang the star on your tree. Before you start, it would be a good idea for you to read all the instructions once through so that you will understand the sequence of what you will need to do.