When I saw the call from the Brit Pack Beaders over at Artisan Whimsy to create a piece of jewelry inspired from one of the 5 cities (Dorset, Edinburgh, Bath, Liverpool, Southampton, or the Isle of Wight) the team is from I had to jump in! Any one of these places would be fantastic to use as inspiration given all the history. You guys all know what a history nerd I am.
I knew immediately I'd pick Bath from this list as I am such a HUGE Jane Austen fan. I've read every book many times; to the point that I can quote passages. Oops .. did I say that out loud? 
While I love to see some of the characters come to life in the many movies made from her books, the books themselves do have a richness of story that is hard to get into cinema. But when it came to fashion inspiration, I admit I did turn to the movies to review the clothing, necklines, jewelry ... my favorite Jane Austen story is Persuasion, yes I own several versions of this movie. I hear you all laughing at me out there, but I'm not listening. This is her last novel, and I think her most mature character in Anne Elliot. I decided to take Anne Elliot as my inspiration, and her time spent in Bath attempting to be a part of the local social circle. Going to concerts, the pump house to drink the waters or a party at the home of one of the socialites. I just get lost in another time and place when I read Austen.Ok, so for the research. Austen is always talking about ribbons. Who knew anyone could be so obsessed with them? They are tied around your waist, on a hat or used as a closure to a cape... just in case you have a spare cape lying around.
There are also plenty of pearls used for jewelry, or is that jewellry for you Brits out there! The look is simple but elegant. Most necklace lengths seemed to be right up at the collar bone, or as a choker. Right. So, I created a velvet pearl choker. You didn't see that coming I'm sure. The closure itself is the focal. It is a marcasite box clasp (one of my most favorite materials to use). I used black velvet with pearls as it made it dressy for a night out in society.
I did make it reversible. In the back I used a much simpler pearl pattern so that it was more black than white. So depending on your mood you can go with a stack of pearls or a a more subtle focus with the black velvet. And if you wear your hair up; you get both!
For a compliment to the choker, I decided to create marcasite, pearl earrings. I've been playing around with beading vs wire wrapping lately. This pair is beaded with fireline. It made for a very delicate look to the earrings with micro Swarovski crystal dangles.
A quick shout out to one of the Brit Pack hosts: Pippa Chandler who is from the Bath area. The city of Bath was named by the Romans who built one of their famed spas in what was then called Britannia (or England). The one in England is the most reknown, but the Roman's loved their spas and there are others. I went looking, as you knew I would, and found them located in: Pompeii (Italy), Odesses (Bulgaria), Weißenburg (Germany), Manilva (Spain), St Paul's Bay (Malta), Caesarea (Israel). I've been to Bath (in England) several times and marveled at how they piped and heated the baths with natural thermal water. Yet another feat of engineering by the Romans. It is absolutely worth visiting. The central 'Great Bath' is stunning to see, and the museum is of course a favorite of mine. One thing I found so fascinating was the ancient graffiti that was translated. It made a piece of history feel so everyday.
