Shop Talk: Russian Influence

When we were traveling in Finland and Estonia, I had hoped we'd be able to get over to St Petersburg in Russia. But we ran out of time, and so it will have to be on our next trip. We will absolutely be back to this part of the world. It is beautiful. Additionally, one place that draws me to return is wanting to visit the Hermitage Museum. I always find inspiration for jewelry designs wandering museums like this, and they have quite a collection of jewels at the Hermitage!



There is a lot of jewelry history in St Petersburg going back to Peter the Great who in 1719 organized a collection of the state-owned antique jewelry (back to the Byzantine time) within something called the Diamond Fund. The jewels were kept in a strong room in St Petersburg at his Winter Palace. Jewels, and jewelry seem to be deeply rooted in Russian heritage.  And one of my new favorite stitches is something called the St Petersburg chain (right).

The stitch has become popular in recent years. Many Western beaders taught themselves the stitch by studying the illustrations in Russian- language beading books. How cool is that!

The versatile pattern comes in a single chain, double chain, Russian eyelets or ladder. My version is a ladder stitch, but I've only just gotten started with this stitch. I have so many colors and pattern possibilities running through my head. I'm sure I'll be back.


So for the on-going bracelet project, bracelet #3 uses the St Petersburg stitch. Of course the highlight and focal point to the piece is a Beauty Button. We will add this one to our growing list of bracelets for the March auction, which we will donate to Breast Cancer Research.