Back from Birka!

January 28, 2015March 3, 2015 / Konstantia/Constans / 1 Comment

I am back from Birka! It was a wonderful event, and it was lovely being able to spend it with good friends. I got to meet my apprentice-sister Iulia (that's us all gussied up on the right), geek a bit about beads and paternosters, and have a lot of fun. I also received my awesome … Continue reading Back from Birka!

What’s going on now?

March 15, 2013November 19, 2014 / Konstantia/Constans / Leave a comment

So, I'm working on my documentation for the Gallo-Roman necklace. But, of course, I'm doing more than that - I've got a piece of garb that I'm working on, too! (Mostly because I might be completely crazy, but I also need garb that fits better, so there's that.) At any rate, the photos for the … Continue reading What’s going on now?

The Gallo-Roman necklace saga . . .

February 25, 2013November 19, 2014 / Konstantia/Constans / Leave a comment

The saga of the Gallo-Roman necklace is over! I have to finish writing my documentation for it, but the piece is complete. On a whim, I went to one of my local bead stores (Beadazzler Beads in downtown Overland Park, Kansas), and looking over their selection of Hill Tribes metal, I saw these rather oval-shaped … Continue reading The Gallo-Roman necklace saga . . .

Gallo-Roman Necklace – DONE! (well, mostly.)

February 21, 2013November 19, 2014 / Konstantia/Constans / Leave a comment

I finished the Gallo-Roman necklace. It took about six hours (I did take frequent breaks, so that's some of it), and most of my 24 gauge copper wire, but that was from wrapping all the links. The time-consuming part - the links - is done. You can see some of the reason this was so … Continue reading Gallo-Roman Necklace – DONE! (well, mostly.)

Oooh! Purple!

February 17, 2013November 19, 2014 / Konstantia/Constans / Leave a comment

I found some gorgeous amethyst a few days ago that I'm using in an interpretation of the Gallo-Roman necklace. The original piece uses emeralds, according to the Louvre, but emeralds are a bit cost-prohibitive right now, and amethyst is found world-wide. There is even a variant of amethyst that's called rose de France, which is … Continue reading Oooh! Purple!

Gallo-Roman necklace, mid-3rd c. (Louvre BJ586)

October 11, 2012November 19, 2014 / Konstantia/Constans / Leave a comment

necklace, gold with emeralds and pearls, Gallo-Roman, mid-3rd c. (Louvre BJ586), a photo by Atelier Sol on Flickr. I'm going to take a brief trip outside of Byzantine jewellery to look at this Gallo-Roman piece. I am uncertain if it is currently on display at the Louvre, but it's a lovely little piece, and it's … Continue reading Gallo-Roman necklace, mid-3rd c. (Louvre BJ586)