New Skills

[nuranar]

Apparently I'm now going to teach myself how to work with wire and solder. The Bagration tiara copy I bought has bits that project below the tiara band.



I popped it on for a brief time on International Tiara Day. It was very uncomfortable after just 10 minutes. Not good. Unfortunately it's the one I plan to wear for the Gala, which means roughly 5 hours.

Of course, there is a solution: the tiara frame. (All pictures are links.)



A frame is a wire foundation, not mean to be seen. It helps a tiara to float above the wearer's hairstyle, keeping decorative lower elements from being hidden.





Often the wire frame is covered in velvet to match the wearer's hair. This both softens the feel of the tiara on the head and helps grip the hair for greater stability.





A frame can also be added or removed to convert a necklace to a tiara, or vice versa.





And finally, a frame can make a difficult or painful-looking tiara wearable with comfort.




That is the primary reason I will be making one. The 1860s hairstyle does not allow for any kind of padding at the top of the head, so I simply must make some kind of frame. The other reason is that the tiara doesn't fit my head quite right! I haven't tried again with the pliers, but I have misgivings that I'll be able to bend the short loop ends in closely enough to hold the tiara at the right angle. I think with the frame I will be able to fill in that gap. Here's hoping!

Comments

[mala_14]

Looks uncomfortable with those stones poking down. I think this is a really great solution! I'm sure you can pull it off. The velvet covering seems extra nice.

[chocolatepot]

Whew, now that's an alteration project I haven't seen before! Looking forward to seeing how you make out, it's going to be awesome.

[jenthompson]

What a cool project! I took a jewelry class in college and I used to solder stuff all the time. It's not hard at all - I'm sure you'll be able to pull this off. The only hard part is getting all of the equipment and supplies together. (which is why I haven't done it in 20+ years!)

[nuranar]

Do you have a recommendation on the actual wire to get? Craft wire is very soft, and I would prefer something that's got more rigidity. I will need two sizes, larger for the actual base, and smaller for the supports that will join the tiara. I know I can borrow the iron and the solder.

[jenthompson]

I'm no good with suggestions. I only ever used fine jewelry metals - silver, copper, and occasionally brass. But I don't have a good memory for how they compare. I think I just remember liking silver the best.