Dazzling Ornaments

WELCOME TO MY BLOG

2009-06-18T15:57:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog, Dazzzling Ornaments, sister companion to my webstore - where you will be able to order any of my handbeaded tools. This blog is mostly to talk about the how & why of all my hand beaded needlework tools, the things you cannot read about at the web store. Through all the posts you can learn all about how I came up with the ideas for the various tools, and my struggles at perfecting them to the point where I was satisfied with their beauty and quality so as to offer them for others to enjoy. Here you can stay informed and get all the latest and the greatest of what's happening! Please read, enjoy, have fun, & visit as often as you like! Leave as many comments or questions as your heart desires, I would love to hear from you, send me an E-Mail!

DAZZLING DROPS

2009-06-18T12:49:00.000-07:00

Here they are at long last all dressed up and (fancy enough for your most very special project. Perhaps even the one you are working on right now! These are the Cinderellas of the thread drop world!

Dazzling Ornaments is launching its newest creation, DAZZLING DROPS. Yes these are for your threads, but they are no ordinary drops! They are chic, sophisticated, yet playful... and oh so very colorful.

Are these fancy enough for you?

They can be used for any type of threads from silk to cotton! There will be 20 drops to a package, enough for that very special project. And each one is so bodacious...... a work of art and something you will want to show off to all your stitching friends! Your stitching buddies will be instantly jealous and start asking you all sorts of questions! Exciting isn't it! Just think you will be in on the cutting edge, WOW. Be one of the first in your stitching circle of friends to sport these snazzy thread drops.
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Shown here are two shapes, oval and diamond, the heart shapes are coming soon! The Dazzling Drops will be offered in white only, with special custom orders for the black or gold. There is plenty of space on the back of the drop for all the information you need to record about your threads placed on it.

As you can see, just like with all the other Dazzling Ornaments, there will never be two just exactly alike, the sky is the limit!

And I guarantee you that at the stroke of midnight they will not turn into pumpkins or mice!

NEW CREATIONS

2009-06-10T10:46:00.000-07:00

Over these last few months, several new creations have been launched. Some of them were for stitchers, and some of them were for nonstitchers. The nonstitchers wanted a necklace and earrings or eyeglass chain and earrings set.

Others asked for a very special form of chatelaine to be used in the classroom as a teaching aid. Some of these were more of a challange than others, but all were lots of fun to design.

TWO NEW FRESH WATER PEARL CHATELAINES

2008-10-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

I am adding two new Fresh Water Pearl designs to the web store. They are created with a larger fresh water pearl. These pearls are so beautiful, the pictures can't possibly show you just how much so! The chatelaines also have the Swarovski Crystals to add that sparkle. Because of the size of the pearls I had to add a little to their prices, but when the materials are more expensive I just have to be able to pass that on. I try very hard to keep prices as reasonable as possible while offering the best quality I can afford.

These are truly classy and should be in the Queen's ransom category! They are fit for a Queen, - you! And you will certainly feel like a queen when you wear them; either as a chatelaine for stitching or with the pendant removed & an accessory to your dressiest outfit. No matter which way, compliments will fly!

CHATELAINES AND ATTACHMENTS

2008-10-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

Pictures of my own personal chatelaines with attachments just to give you an idea of some items to attach.

This is a picture of my current configuration, the items I have attached to my chatelaine pendant. I have a thread cutter, a seam ripper, a needle holder, a threader and a pin cushion. My scissors are now on a fob.

Below you will see lots of possible items to attach to your chatelaine, and there are many more than these suggestions! Dozens of beautiful items including scissors of all types and descriptions!

Thread Catcher

Seam Ripper Pewter Laying Tool
Magnetic Needle Holder
Pin Cushon
Thread Grabber

Needle Polisher and Emery Thread Cutter
Victorian Sewing Composium
Tape Measure

WHAT IS A CHATELAINE?

2008-10-28T10:58:00.000-07:00

chat·e·laine Pronunciation: \ˈsha-tə-ˌlān\
Function: noun
Etymology: French châtelaine, feminine of châtelain
Date: 1845

Chatelaines date back to the Middle Ages. The name comes from a French term for the "mistress of a castle, chateau or large establishment." A Chatelaine is an ornamental clasp or hook from which chains are hung that hold a watch, purse, keys, scissors, thimble case, etc. Modern sewers not only enjoy using these finely crafted tools, they appreciate not having to spend time looking for their scissors while working. The chatelaine was the forerunner of the modern-day purse, but lost favor when the lives of women grew more complex.

From medieval times to the early 20th century, women kept essential items such as keys close at hand on their "chatelaines." These precursors to purses hung from belts and featured long chains with hooked ends to clutch accoutrements. But when women started working full-time outside the home, cloth handbags--with straps instead of chains and plenty of room for cosmetics and sunglasses--made chatelaines became less and less popular.

Used by both men and women and usually fastened to belt or pocket with chains bearing hooks on which to hang small articles such as watches, keys, seals, writing tablets, scissors, and purses. The word chatelaine is derived from a word meaning the keeper of a castle, thus the person entrusted with the keys. During the 18th century, chatelaines were particularly popular. The finest were made of gold, the cheaper ones of a yellow alloy were named pinchbeck after the inventor of the material.

Some chatelaines were decorated with repousse or enamel and depicted biblical, mythological, or genre scenes. Others were inlaid with agate, and toward the end of the 18 century, some were adorned with cameos in a pseudo classical style. The most luxurious were decorated with precious gems, especially diamonds. A fine example of a diamond and gold chatelaine is that made in 1776 by the French Jeweler Francois Fistaine for Queen Caroline Mathilda of Denmark.

The chatelaine is a piece of jewelry that was widely used on which together with the watchcase, goldsmiths lavished some of their most refined work. The chatelaine was a pendant made of jointed embossed gold components of different shapes and sizes with scenes and designs in elaborate frames. If was fastened by means of a hook to a belt or waistcoat pocket, and from its protruding points hung chains of various lengths on which men fastened their watches, the keys for winding them, and other accessories. The women used chatelaines to carry keys, scissors, and other more or less useful objects.

For years, ladies wore necessary and useful implements clasped to the waist of their dresses because clothing was not made with pockets for carrying such items. They were usually worn suspended from a clip or large brooch with chains and hooks to hold the various implements, although later chatelaines could be worn on a finger ring. Fashioned of both precious and non-precious metals, they could be extremely simple or ornamented with embossed work, pierced work and gem stones. They were fashioned in a wide variety of materials: gold, sterling, gold wash, cut steel and enameled and jeweled. Chatelaines might be comprised of items all used for one task...sewing, for instance... or combined with various items that suited the wearer.

Some were matching sets like the cut steel chatelaines and others were compiled over time by the owner, especially the sterling chatelaines. Belt chatelaines or waist hooks were also used to hold a purse. Most fashionable from about 1870 to World War I, they remain popular with collectors today. Lorgnettes were made in a wide variety of materials: sterling, karat gold, gold wash, tortoise, ivory, mother-of-pearl and lovely enameling and gem stones. Those with a strong design sense (for example Art Nouveau or Arts & Crafts) are most desirable. Some collectors have their own prescription mounted into an old lorgnette so that they are actually useable.

As the precursor of the modern handbag it was a device with a hook that was fastened to the belt or waistband and from which were suspended a variety of useful items, often including a watch. The form has existed in various configurations since the early Bronze Age (2100--1000 B.C.). Until 1828 these objects were known as equipages (French for equipment). However, in modern terminology all forms are called chatelaines whether made before or after that date.

In the sixteenth century, chatelaines included a variety of attachments such as keys, knives, pouches, rosaries, pomanders, books of hours, and mirrors. At that time a watch was worn separately, usually hanging from a chain around the neck. In the next century ladies started wearing their watches at their waist, looped over their belt with a chain.

During the eighteenth century fashionable accessories became an important complement to a lady's attire. In addition to the chatelaine, a fan and a snuffbox were among the bibelots often carried by members of society. The watch was now suspended from a simple chain, a chain with a swivel, or a chatelaine with a large decorative plaque from which hung smaller plaques. The watch hung from the center of the large plaque flanked by a watch key for winding it, a seal with an engraved crest, or other trinkets. Women favored these watch chatelaines while men preferred fobs by which to pull the watch from the pocket. The trinkets were attached to the exposed end of the fob.

SCISSOR FRIENDLY FOB

2008-10-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of how my Scissor Friendly attachment for embroidery scissors looks like when in place. Perhaps this might help one understand just how to attach this fob to a scissor handle! This replaces the traditional idea of a lobster claw, which I have noticed over the years has worn down and scratched the finish of some of my favorite scissors. Metal rubbing against metal in not good!

It's not so bad if it is an inexpensive pair of scissors and you don't care, but when it is an expensive or favorite set you want this scissor friendly approach! Your scissors will smile and say thanks!

Of course you can still have the lobster claw if you want, you will just have to make a special request for it, as all the newer fobs have the friendly way of attachment.

LAYING TOOLS IN STOCK

2008-10-12T12:35:00.000-07:00

These are the Laying Tools that I have in stock. This is the way they will soon be displayed in my webstore. It is hard to show you the sparkle of all the special finishes . Some Laying Tools are in a satin finish, some have glitter, some have various metallic foils and some have interference colors. The lighter colors with the lighter shades of glitter or the interference finishes are more difficult to photograph ,in order to do them justice! You will just have to take my word that they are each one individual and oh so exquisite!

The photos are numbered so that you can communicate your choices more easily! They have an alphabetical as well as a numerical reference. Hope this will help with indicating your choices. There will be other Laying Tools as well as Chatelaines and etc. added to the webstore as they are created. There are always changes being made as items are sold and new ones added. I hope you enjoy your browsing! Have lots of FUN! Remember the address of my webstore is Dazzlingornaments.com

If you will click on the photograph, it will open in another window and be enlarged so that you can see more clearly the details of each Laying Tool.

#A-White Colors, Top To Bottom 1-10

Photo #B-Violet Colors, Top To Bottom 1-10

Photo #C-Gold Colors, Top To Bottom 1-10

Photo #D-Red Colors, Top To Bottom 1-10

Photo #E-Pink Colors, Top To Bottom 1-10

Photo #F-Purple Colors, Top To Bottom 1-10

Photo #G-Blue Green Colors, Top To Bottom 1-10

#H-Light Blue Colors, Top to Bottom 1-10

#I-Cobalt Blue Colors, Top To Bottom 1-10

#J-Green Colors, Top To Bottom 1-10

#K-Hot Pinks, Top To Bottom 1-7

#L-Neutrals, Top To Bottom 1-10

FRESH WATER PEARLS

2008-09-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

There is a new group of chatelaines to add to Queen's Ransom Category on my web store, Dazzlingornaments.com

These chatelaines are created with fresh water pearls, Swarovski Crystals ,and Swarovski Glass Pearls.

They are quite extraordinary and though the appearance is delicate, they are just as durable as the other chatelaines. They are created with the same care and diligence, and using much the same materials such as the 49 strand stainless steel coated beading wire I prefer to use!

Each one is one of a kind and entered into the Dazzling Ornaments Archives to preserve its unique signature. Once sold, it will never be exactly duplicated!

I recently purchased several strands of these fresh water pearls in some lovely colors. It is so much fun to lay out the beads and create a new design, sometimes with contrasting colors and sometimes with colors that blend. The sky is the limit (of course $ has something to do with that)!

Hope you enjoy seeing these beauties up close and personal!

AUTUMN SPLENDOR

2008-09-20T13:28:00.000-07:00

Autumn Splendor is a necklace design I created for a local fund raiser. Since the fund raiser is the first of October, it was thought by the parties that Fall colors would be appropriate. Everyone seems very well pleased with the necklace and we all hope it will help bring some much needed funds to help a Christian children's camp. It was a joy and a privilege to be able to take part in this with a hand beaded beauty!

CUSTOM ORDERS

2008-09-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

This is a Scissor Fob Set and Laying Tool to match that one of my customers ordered. She wanted something very purple and especially liked the blue tones of purple. The larger more oval stone is a semi precious stone which matched perfectly for both! I can create custom orders for those of you who so desire, the only requirement is that one pays half down before I create the items, and that I have some licence in the creation!

NEWEST & GREATEST!

2008-08-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

I have been considering for a long time how to create a more traditional and open chatelaine. This is what I have designed with much thought and lots of trial and error! This particular one I have created for myself using Swarovski Crystals, Fresh Water Pearls, and gold colored spacer beads/findings.

It is quite a bit longer that the closed necklace style that I have been producing. What I don't know is if there is a desire for such a more traditional style of chatelaine. With this particular style each attachment has its own fob,thereby facilitating easy removal & reattachment to the chatelaine. Under these conditions one will find it hard to lose even the smallest tool because it is attached to a fob!

It is difficult to take a picture of the entire chatelaine to show you exactly what it looks like when worn. However I have attempted to show various pictures to give an idea of how it looks. It does function very well and I love using it. Needless to say that I have several chatelaines and other tools I use in order to evaluate their function, beauty, and durability.

LAYING TOOLS

2008-05-16T08:31:00.000-07:00

Well I have finally done it! Created Laying Tools for Dazzling Ornaments. it has been a very long time since I have posted anything on this blog, but sometimes Life just gets in the way. Things have been extremely busy for me this year.

The Dazzling Ornaments Website has been launched, I have created a new category for my chatelaines called Queen's Ransom, and now the Laying Tools. The chatelaines are composed of Swarovski Crystals and Pearls and are so glamorous with lots of sparkle. The Laying Tools have been such fin to develop and I am so very proud of them, and think they will be big sellers! The color combinations are simply endless and everyone is like an exquisite jewel. I am keeping the price reasonable so that one could afford several, a color for every mood!

I just sold six this past weekend to one of the Needlework shops that carry my products. The girls went wild over them! The following is the text I plan on placing on the website to accompany the category for the Laying Tools.

Dazzling Ornaments Laying Tools are hand crafted from exquisite and luxurious materials with each one possessing an extraordinary beauty.

Precise attention to detail is the heart centered philosophy behind Dazzling Ornaments hand crafted tools, where superb quality is of the highest importance. Moreover, the designs will continue to change and be enhanced, thereby preserving the custom quality and individuality of each Laying Tool.

The laying tools are hand painted with Artists’ Acrylics in a “satiny” finish. They are polished, buffed and completed with multi-layers of a crystal clear acrylic; intended to protect their beauty and longevity. The artists’ pigments come in a varied range of colors, including my very own custom blends. Some of the special effects used are: mica infused medium, opalescent, iridescent, metallic, holographic, pearlescent, and interference mediums. These are hand finished, shimmering, special effects that flash a stunning iridescence with every movement. Some of the methods used are: marbling, faux finishes, decoupage, impressionist, foil, glitter, and of course the very beautiful polished satin finish.

Each laying tool is either hand carved bone or wood, the end adorned with spectacular beads. Each tool is as smooth as glass and it does sparkle, shimmer, and gleam like the stars of the heavens with a luminous glow.

NEW CATEGORY

2008-04-26T09:29:00.000-07:00

A New Category for my chatelaines has been created called Queen's Ransom. They are constructed with Swarovski Crystals and Swarovski Glass Pearls and have so much sparkle they are like the stars of heaven! It has been such a joy to create this newest of categories and I am very pleased with their quality and craftsmanship. They truly will be a treasure and a keepsake for the modern needleworker; just like the Crown Jewels!

Of course the pictures cannot do them justice, for how does one show the various ways the crystals reflect the light? With every movement the sparkle is paramount and the pearls just add more elegance. I know in my heart that these are the best without using real jewels. Everyone who sees them in person is blown away by their beauty. They are available as single chatelaines or in a chatelaine set and can be either for the King or the Queen!

They can be crafted with combination of any color the Swarovski crystals are available in. The best combination is with a contrast of light and medium or medium and dark colors. And the glass pearls can either be in the same range of colors or something totally different. There are so many different combinations, oh how charming and what fun to create...just let the juices flow!

When I do a set for a King, it is without earrings...though the earrings could easily be a git for a lady friend, relative, or a favorite teacher. If for a Queen then she would want the earrings so that when she removes the detachable chatelaine pendant to wear the necklace alone, then the earrings can be an awesome accessory for the necklace.

WEBSITE LAUNCHED

2008-04-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

This is to announce my new Online Store!

Dazzlingornaments.com

Here you will find the needlework tools of your dreams. I do sincerely hope that it will be a success and a fabulous outlet for all the various hand beaded tools that I create. My most favorite brother (the only one) has put it all together for me and it took months of juggling to get it just the way I wanted, with his many suggestions and the creative talents of my lovely sister-in-law. Thely are so talented and they have done an excellent job. It has a very classy look. Thank you Brian and Sarah!

So you will HAVE to go there and check it out and let me know what you think! Enjoy your visit and browse till your heart's content!

TRANSPARANT IMAGES

2008-04-04T14:49:00.000-07:00

This IS a necklace that I created for myself, which can also be used as a chatelaine just by adding the chatelaine pendant with its attachments thus then becoming a beautiful chatelaine. It is the manner in which I am now making all the chatelaines so that they can be worn with one's favorite outfit as jewelry. If you like, you can add another style of pendant to change the appearance even more! For instance; if you have something very special, a favorite charm or perhaps even a pin, it could easily be attached and worn in this manner.

CREATION STATION

2008-03-26T12:58:00.001-07:00

This is where I put together all these various hand-beaded needlework tools. These pictures were taken today; as an update to the pictures of my beading table I previously had posted. I keep most of my beads in the different bins according to color, and or type. I have one large box which contains the newest acquisitions of beads. So when I am working everything is kept organized as much as possible, and can be put back on the storage shelves to keep it all neat and tidy.

When I have an inspiration about a color combination; then I just lay out the small bags of colored beads that I am thinking about and choose from those. I also lay out all the metal beads and findings that I want to use. My beading tools are handy, as well as my magnifying glasses and plenty of excellent lighting. I have a beading tray and several pieces of fabric upon which to lay little pockets of beads that I am using for each specific piece in progress. That say I am surrounded by all the possibilities of beads to use and that makes it easy to be more creative and imaginative.

It is imperative for me to be neat, tidy, and organized; must be a part of all those years I was an R.N. This table is in my craft room where I can retreat and stitch or bead as the desire or need arises. Hope you have enjoyed seeing this little "beading spot" just to give you an idea of where the beading is done. Looks like a lot of fun, doesn't it?

Have an awesome day, and stop to smell the flowers along the way!

Wawanna

BEADS & MORE, A DESIGNER'S DREAM

2008-03-14T12:23:00.000-07:00

I have just recently received a large order of beads and findings. There are lots of crystals, Swarosvki pearls, clear round beads in different colors, satin rounds in lovely colors, quartz beads, square beads with a metallic finish,cat's eyes, and oh so many more. Just too many to describe!

There are also some speciality beads, for instance clear & white beads with a pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness. And some others to mix and match with these! And I have purchased over $150.00 of Swarosvki crystals.

There are many different types of metallic beads in both silver and gold colors, and lots and lots of bead caps. Included in the order are lobster clasps, coated stainless steel beading wire (49 strands - the most flexible) along with crimp beads and other things I need to make these awesome chatelaines.

Plus I have been busy making my own polymer beads, using gold & silver leaf, various glitters and etc. to use with all the other beads I have, and the newest beads just received, to create some stunning items. My husband built a rack so that I could spray coat these ploymer beads to give them a shiny and lasting finish! These beads are awesome, but the best part is that I can make them in any color combination I choose and any shape I choose! Endless possibilities!

I will soon have a web-page where you can go to see up close and personal each creation and have the ability to purchase whatever you might choose.

Oh My, what fun!

Wawanna

THE LATEST

2008-02-25T07:36:00.001-08:00

These three were sent off last week to various parts of the country. One even went to Thailand! They consisted of a Chatelaine set which were a chatelaine/necklace, a Scissor Fob & Little Helper and, a Mr. Froggy Do.

I insist that these be sent out with insurance and a tracking number, They must arrive safely to their new destination!

Ever do a little frogging? Then Mr. Froggy Do is for you. He eats what bugs him. Rip-it, Rip-it!

The Little Helper is a tool I designed out of my own need. It has a small magnet at one end which attaches itself to a magnetized thread minder one has attached to the surface of her stitching. It may also have a small hook which can be used on canvas when one is working on a needlepoint project. The hook is a new addition and not all the Little Helpers have that capability.

To thread a size 26 tapestry needle is usually not too difficult but there are days when it is nearly impossible for me. It is so nice to have the Little Helper at my right hand always ready to give a helping hand, to count, frog, or thread.

May you have an awesome day and week! Don't forget if you have any interest or questions just send me an e-mail. It is as easy as pie!

FIELD OF DREAMS

2008-02-24T21:15:00.000-08:00

All dressed up and laid out and ready for a trunk show at a nearby Needlework Shop. They just have to be placed in their fabulous jewelry bags and placed into the treasure chest.

"Twinkle, twinkle little star. Wish I may, Wish I might have the wish I wish tonight!"

And oh what a treasure chest it will be!

Hope everything is just as it should be with you! And for those of you who have bought or received one of these treasures that you are extremely pleased and overjoyed!

SPARKLERS

2008-01-10T20:21:00.000-08:00

Talk about real class! How about a sparkler. Do you remember the sparklers you played with as a child? I do, and they always displayed such awesome incredible beauty. What fascination! Firecrackers! They represent the most brilliant celebrations.

These chatelaines and hand-beaded needlework tools have the Swarovski crystals added for extra sparkle. These simply are for the elite, only those who want to stitch like an empress. Like a Queen. They are for those whom no expense is too much and who want to stitch like the rich. YOU!

You can "Go For The Gold". Have the best than money can buy! Stitch Rich! Feel like a million bucks!

In reality these are priced the same as all the others. And
there has not been a price increase since I started making them. They come in a richly matching brocade jewelry bag. The sparklers have their own golden jewelry bag which is specifically and exclusively designed just for them.

Make a statement! Feel like the First Lady, have a ball!

Fly first class and drive a Rolls Royce! Why not?

Be an Oscar Winner and stitch like a Beverly Hills Star! You will have Dazzling Ornaments in your eyes! Dance with the stars and be a winner. Fly to the moon and back!

There is not enough space to show them all, but these few will tickle your fancy and give you grand ideas! There is still a vast ocean of delights to come! Sail on!

IT'S A PARTY

2007-12-04T19:35:00.000-08:00

How about having a chatelaine party? I am all for it, are you ready? But what is a party without the decorations and gifts and fun. All that confetti and ribbons and yummy stuff sounds like a grand and exciting event.

This is really a celebration of beautiful and useful needlework tools that discriminating needleworkers would love to own and use!

Imagine untying the ribbon on the box, opening the lid, looking inside and your eyes seeing one of these. Would you not be thrilled? It is a dream that can come true for you or someone you are especially fond of. Can't you just see the sparkle in their eyes and hear the cries of surprise and joy as they lift out one of these beauties and wonder at its glimmer. It can happen to you.

Talk about floating on a cloud, wouldn't you like to show off your hand beaded chatelaine to all your stitching friends. Be one of first to possess such a smart looking needlework tool.

Put a little love into your life!

What a revolutionary concept! Five places to attach the tools you want to have so conveniently located, within the reach of your hand no matter where you are stitching: in the car, on the rooftop, in Las Vegas, or sitting on one of those clouds.

Which one will you choose? Which one do you vote for? Which one is just the charmer for you? They are all ready for your selection!

Talk about icing on the cake, these are IT!

CUSTOM MADE

2007-11-02T12:18:00.000-07:00

I will take custom orders when at a show or sale someone wants a particular group of colors that I do not have. This picture is of two such orders that I had this Fall and both turned out very well. The ladies were totally delighted with their chatelaines and that makes me more than happy. I want each one to be something to treasure and possibly to pass along to a precious friend or family member... so that it actually could become an heirloom. Just imagine that!

OH HAPPY DAY!

STARDUST

2007-10-12T18:50:00.000-07:00

Just so that you have a clear idea of how these chatelaines might be worn as jewelry these pictures will show you just what they look like.

These particular chatelaines-necklaces you have not seen before and I hope you will greatly enjoy dreaming about how one would look around your neck and with your favorite outfit!

There are many styles, some very classic, some quite playful and some are real sparkly and could be used with your formal wear .

How about a Champagne Bracelet to go with your Champagne chatelaine- necklace and ear-rings?

How about a stardust scissorfob set? Would these tickle your fancy? I surly do love mine!

Hope you will have a little stardust in your life today!

EYE CANDY

2007-05-04T12:02:00.000-07:00

How about these for eye candy? Don't they practically make your mouth water? Enjoy the many treats! These are but a few of the chatelaines and chatelaine sets I have made. There are so many colors and styles, surly there are several you would love to have for yourself or for that perfect gift! If you do see something here that you would like to have, or would wish to enquire about just send me an e-mail and I will answer your questions.

It is going to be impossible to show you all the chatelaines I have made but just from seeing these few, your imagination can successfully run wild!

These pictures will give you an idea of the diversity of colors and beads which make up each hand beaded needlework tool.

Some of my customers can't just own only one but have purchased as many as four just for themselves alone. To me that is a testimony in a nutshell for their beauty and quality of design and construction!

If any of these are sold, I can make something similar, it is easy to discuss what are the colors and elements you would wish to have. I do charge a deposit of half the cost to make a custom chatelaine. As you might imagine there is a lot of thought that goes into each one and that takes time. Time well spent, of course, but an nvestment neverthe lesss on a chatelaine that one has ordered to be made and then changes her mihd and decides not to purchase after all.

It does take time to put the beads together so that the chatelaine is beautifully balanced and has that ZING. If it does not have that zing and literally sing to me, it gets restrung untill it does! I am the first one that has to be happy with it and my standards are extremely exacting.

These are just a couple of the pink ones I make especially for Breast Cancer Awareness.

These pink ones have other color beads along with all the pink beads and can have either silver colored or gold colored findings and beads as spacers.

Hope you have enjoyed your walk through the candy store today and will come back for more! Perhaps you have decided you want to personally taste some of the delicious flavors offered here!

CREATION STATION

2007-04-20T15:02:00.000-07:00

These are pictures of my beading table and where these Dazzling Ornaments are created. I have bins of beads, all organized according to colors. I also have trays of beading wire in different sizes and colors. And the small beads which I use are well organized too. I also make some of the beads I use in the chatelaines with Polymer clay.
These are usually the "candy cane" beads, though I do make other shapes as well. These clay beads really do add to the uniqueness of each chatelaine and one is not likely to see another set of beads quite the same. I have created several hundred chatelaines and no two are alike even though the over color scheme may be similar.

The reason I started making and selling these little gems is because for several years I was searching for a chatelaine for myself. That is a non-antique chatelaine. The antiques are just to look at; although a thing of beauty, not one to be used for everyday stitching! I wanted and needed a tool which would stand up to hard use and have multi prongs for attaching the things I want. In my searching I saw a few "around the neck chains" to be used for scissors, but had no capability for attaching anything else. Plus they looked so fragile, I doubted they would hold up to daily use!

A non stitching friend of mine suggested I try to make something out of beads. I had absolutely no knowledge of beading. It became a challenge, and I LOVE challenges. The blue chatelaine was one of the very first I made. It took trial and experiments to develop the first ones. And then I just kept making more; with an expanding of ideas and experience then made this black one, which I still use today! I hope to continually improve and expand on they as time goes on!

After those few first chatelaines I made several to give as gifts, and one of those ladies who owns a needlework shop asked if she could sell some of them. And that is how "Dazzling Ornaments" came into being.

I am showing you some of my chatelaines so that you might see some ideas of what one might attach to her chatealine to make it personally her dazzling stitching tool.

Hope you have enjoyed hearing a little about how the chatelaines got started and seeing the first ones and the one I am currently useing. Thanks for visiting and hope you will be excited and inspired to have one of these very beautiful, unique and useful chatelaines or scissor fob sets for yourself.

DISPLAYING THE DAZZLERS!

2007-03-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

This picture frame was created to add to the display when I go to various shows to sell my chatelaines and hand-beaded needlework tools.

I "jazzed" it up by applying rhinestone jewels to enhance the name of Dazzling Ornaments. Isn't it just the cat's pajamas?

I also found this gorgeous black sparkly material to further enhance the display, along with ribbons, balloons, and such. Why not have a party atmosphere? It is supposed to be fun with lots of sparklers! Right?

Here you can see just a few of the scissor fob sets that I make. I call them a set because not only is there an actual scissor fob, there is also a lovely beaded tool with a tapestry needle, and threaders. The tapestry needle can be used for counting one's stitches, or for "frogging" one's errant stitches or even (in combination with one of the threaders) a do-lolly. So you see it really is a multiple use tool that can certainly be kept close by to help when one is stitching away and needs an extra helping hand!

I invented this because of my experience with needing threaders and counters and do-lollyies during the course of stitching. It seemed just a natural thing to add to making the scissor fobs!

BUILDING INTEREST

2007-02-24T14:49:00.000-08:00

The interest in these chatelaines and hand beaded needlework tools just continue to build. Plus I am getting requests for necklaces, bracelets, and earings to match!

Speaking of fun, these were a delight to create. All I was told were the general colors and the colors of the metal beads to use.

These are are couple of items that you might enjoy seeing which are not meant for needlework, but just simply to wear as jewelry! The ladies who requested these were overjoyed and pleased as punch!

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of these other lovely applications Dazzling Orenaments beadwork!

UPDATING!!!

2007-01-24T13:08:00.000-08:00

A recent show and sale of my chatelaines was a lot of fun. The event brought lots af attention! The reception from the ladies was marvelous. They were so impressed with the variety, the beauty and the usefulness of the hand-beaded tools. There just wasn't enough room on the table to lay out all the chatelaines at once, but many of the gals wanted to see what all was in the treasure box before making that final choice from the myriad of colors and styles.

Some ladies were just lookng for a specific color(s) and some wanted butterflies or lady bugs or hearts represented in the beads. Luckly, there were enough to delight everyone's taste!

One of the newewst items the little "froggers" which are titled "Mr. Froggy Do" were a HUGE success, I sold out of those completely...much to my surprise!

There were some sales of just the scissor fob sets and all in all we all had a great evening, with lots of Oohs & Ahs, and a great deal of fun!

BREAST CANCER CHATELAINES

2006-12-13T16:20:00.000-08:00

These are some of the many beautiful chatelaines fashioned in commemoration of the fight against Breast Cancer. They have a pink ribbon charm and some very special beads which are clear with a pink ribbon contained within them. The chatealines don't necessarily have to be made entirely with pink beads. I have made them with all kinds of pastel colors added to the pink, which look stunning.

These chatelaines come with their own pink brocade jewelry bag, which helps set them apart from the other chatelaines.

One lady asked for a yellow ribbon charm to be added along with the pink ribbon charm. I was not sure how it would look, but it turned out very nice indeed. These are very special, particularly for those ladies who have survived this dreadful disease or have a friend or loved one who had been afflicted. You might want to consider one of these instead of the other chatealines which do not have a particular theme. These can also be ordered as a complete, or partial set. They have pink hearts, and some have red hearts, white hearts, blue hearts plus all sorts of very sweet beads in order to make them sweet and charming. They are a big hit with the ladies!

Thank you for visiting, and hope you will return again and again and perhaps decide to have one for yourself! I surly love using mine.

Wawanna

ANG FUNDRAISER

2006-12-11T20:59:00.000-08:00

This is a chatelaine and ear-ring set which I made for the San Diego chapter of ANG for their annual fundraiser which was held in August of this year. I am told it was a tremendous success with several ladies crying when they did not have the winning ticket which they so coveted! It was an awesome pleasure to put this set together and it was constructed with much thought and lots of tender loving care. It was suggested by the committee that it be made with pastel beads and gold findings. I certainly believe the beads and findings look glorious together. (By the way if you left click on the picture it will enlarge.)

I,spent a few days going through my bead collection and trying different ones before making that final decision as to which ones were worthy enough for the task. Little voices kekpt crying in my ear "Pick me", "Oh, please pick me", "No, no....pick me".
Then there were lots of little giggles as they were chosen, one by one!

It was such a joy to know that some blessed needleworker was going to go home that day with a song in her heart and a skip in her step. AND that the ANG chapter would have been able to raise some much needed funds with all the items donated for that day.

Hope you enjoy gazing upon this dazzling ornament as much as I enjoyed putting it all together!

Wawanna

THERE IS LOTS MORE TO COME

2006-12-11T20:43:00.000-08:00

These are the draw-string jewelry bags that I make to house, softly caress and protect the chatelaines. The bags are roomy enough to hold the chatelaine and the attached tools so that you can keep it stored in the bag and drop it in your stitching basket or traveling bag to take where ever you might desire. Perhaps you want to take to your stitch-in or your ANG or EGA meeting.

They surely do catch the eye and soon the other ladies will approach you to ooh and aah and admire your lovely chatelaine and probably secretly be a little envious! The bags come in several rich and lively brocade colors to co-ordinate with the colors of beads used to construct your chatelaine!

I think these add such elegance and a touch of class to the chatelaines, just lots more eye candy!

Wawanna

NECKLACE & CHAMPAGNE BRACELET

2006-12-11T17:22:00.000-08:00

This is a necklace and bracelet set I recently made. It is not a chatelaine because it was not made for a needleworker, thought you mignt enjoy seeing what a set of this type looks like. Of course something like this could be constructed as a chatelaine with a removable tools pendant if one so desires. Sort of a "Dual Jewel" approach! The colors of the beads and the findings looked stunning together, and I was very pleased to send it off to its happy home.

Wawanna

INTRODUCTION

2006-12-11T07:53:00.000-08:00

Introducing DAZZLING ORNAMENTS, Treasures For Your Stitching Pleasures. I have been making chatelaines for about two years, and have added a number of other stitching tools as well.

In addition to the chatelaines, there are Scissor Fobs, Ear-Rings, Threaders, Eyeglass Chaines, Counters, Bracelets, and Froggers. These are all Effervescent Symbols Of Luxurious Stitching, and one can actually STITCH RICH!

Any or all of these items can be made into a set, and I also have developed something rather unique, that is a method of attaching/detaching the pendant on the chatelaines so that the chatelaine can be converted to a necklace whenever the owner desires! This is a real breakthrough which I have been trying to acheive for quite some time, and adds greatly to the value and versitility of the chatelaine! Many of the ladies have been asking for such a thing and it is now accomplished. I can add ear-rings and bracelet to a set in order to make it more complete for those who wish it.

The name of these chatelaines are Cool Jewels. The one for the ear-rings are Razzle Dazzles, for the bracelets it is Champange Bracelets, for the little froggers it is Glitter Critters, for the set of Scissor fob & threader it is Dual Jewels, and for the eye-glass chains it is Specs Flecks. They are all such cute and clever names for such beautifully crafted needlework tools.

I hope you will enjoy looking and dreaming about these lovely tools and consider possessing one or more for yourself! They would be wonderful as a gift for a friend, or someone special such as a needlework teacher you so admire. No two chatelalines are alike, each one is unique unto itself; certainly a "one of a kind jewel", which is as practical as it is beautiful and a delight to own and use!

Enjoy your time visiting and return as often as you like!

Wawanna