Progress on Akhenaten
Finished The Wig
Working with goldwork in a European winter is optimistic at best, and much as I enjoyed working the Detached Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch with Return, it took rather longer than I might have hoped. When I managed to sit down with a quiet mind, a good light, and plenty of time, I found that the work would speed up. It was tricky to keep it even – I didn’t entirely succeed, either – and I wondered, halfway through when it was rather too late, whether I should have worked it “upside down” as in Jacquie Carey’s book “Elizabethan Stitches”.
Silver Plate
I have decided to keep working on the head and the crown, at least until I don’t know what to do next, so the next section was to be the top of the headdress. Now, although the colossi don’t show Akhenaten wearing the combined crown of upper and lower Egypt, I’ve decided to reference it in the colours for the headdress.
Finished Upper Crown
So the top section of the headdress is a zigzag of sliver plate. It’s not as even as I would like, perhaps, and I am wondering (I’m doing a lot of wondering with this one, aren’t I!) whether I should have started at the bottom and worked up. I’m not sure I have enough left over to do it again, so unless and until I decide I can’t bring myself to leave it this way, I’m going to remain content with my very first effort using silver plate.
It’s looking amazing Rachel, I would leave your silver plate unless it is really bothering you, I think it looks great, it is tricky stuff to work with!
This is going nicely! I think the silver plate started great at the top. However, then you seemed have lost the angle. It is too much worked on top of itself; it should spread out a bit more. But it is indeed tricky stuff to work with!
When looking at the piece from afar you won’t notice the silver plate isn’t even. If it really bothers you fix it, but I would wait a few days.
I think the silver plate looks good and would not change it unless it really bugs you. xx
It’s looking lovely! I’ve never worked with most metalwork supplies, so I’m not in a position to offer advice, but Jessica has given some good tips. Good luck with the mulling it over 😊
I don’t think silver plate is really much of a problem as it catches the light in different ways. Don’t think I want to try working with it, though.
I really like that silver plate.
Your Detached Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch with Return is looking good. I have yet to try gold work but understand it is a difficult craft. Your work is always neat.
I think your silver plate looks great, but you sound as though you will be re-doing it. I don’t think it needs changing. I’m sure it must be very tricky to work with!
Barbara x
The second photo did show the silver strips to be uneven, but in the third one ,when looked at from a distance, it doesn’t seem bad.But I do observe a puckering around the stitched regions. Does that bother you?
I love visiting your blog, as there is always something new to see – this time silver plate!
this is looking so interesting! I’m intrigued to see what happens next
I think you wonder too much, and maybe worry, too. It looks wonderful to me, both parts, so don’t take it out. =) In the end, each of these things will only be a small part of the whole.
I have to say, the silver plate gave me goosebumps. I love it….you are being way too hard on yourself and having never used it before I may also now have to buy some!