I love almost anything involving the Medieval age and the Renaissance. Old castles, tapestries, religious artifacts, knights, The Pillars of the Earth mini-series.
And then there is the lovely jewelry that adorned some of the women during these time periods. Stunning necklaces of gold and exquisite jewels. Head pieces with precious gemstones and pearls. Even some of the men were adorned with jewels. And if they weren’t wearing them, you might find them holding a jewel encrusted sword.
Following the medieval theme started in my last blog post on Carcassone, this week’s blog anniversary giveaway features Cris Dupouy’s lovely book “Creating Your Own Antique Jewelry: Taking Inspiration from Great Museums Around the World.”
In this book, Dupouy uses select artifacts as the source of her inspiration to create jewelry. Her sources of inspiration span the time periods from Antiquity to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance to the 20th century. For each piece, she provides a brief history, a picture of the artifact (often being worn by the subject in a particular painting), and instructions for recreating the item.
Though Dupouy’s medium of choice in this book is polymer clay & gemstones, it may be possible to recreate the items in a combination of mediums such as polymer clay, metal clay and gemstones or metal clay and gemstones.
Along with Dupoy’s book, you also have the chance to win one of my first art doll necklaces inspired by my interest in the Medieval age.
If you’d like to enter this giveaway, just leave a comment on this post sharing your favorite period piece, such as a movie, mini-series or book and why. Please include an email address when you leave a comment so I may notify you if you win.
Comments will remain open till midnight EST on Tuesday, August 16. The winner will be chosen on Wednesday. Giveaway items will be shipped via USPS and limited to U.S. residents. I apologize for the restriction on shipping.
The winner of this giveaway was Marlea A. This giveaway is now closed.
Musings from the Moonroom 
August 12, 2011 at 8:19 pm
I love Medieval, too. Especially dragons. 🙂 You are very kind to have a drawing for your anniversary. I hope you get tons of people looking and Happy Anniversary!
August 18, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Hi Maureen, good to hear from you. Thanks for the anniversary wishes. Hope all is well with you.
August 14, 2011 at 10:45 am
Happy Anniversary! I love your Art Doll Pendant ~ it is so unusual!
August 18, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Thanks Sandy. I’m glad you like the art doll pendant.
August 14, 2011 at 11:51 am
Hi there. I love to read, especially historical fiction. Last year I read “Pillars of the Earth” and LOVED it! I had been hesitant because it was written by a “mass market” author who also writes spy thrillers. But the book was awesome and I now have the next in the series on my shelf waiting to read. This book sounds interesting and certainly a great source of inspiration! If I am your winner you could send the necklace to a second place winner, although it is a super cool piece I thing someone else would get more use out of it. Thanks much.
August 18, 2011 at 2:50 pm
Hi Lori, I finally picked up a copy of Pillars of the Earth a few weeks ago. I’m looking forward to reading it. I’ve heard the mini-series followed the book fairly well but enough time had passed since I watched the mini-series that I should be able to start with a fresh view.
August 14, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Wonderful art doll, and the book looks very interesting, too! Great idea for a giveaway! I’d have to say my current favorite is the A Song of Fire and Ice series by George R.R. Martin. After seeing and becoming addicted to the HBO series Game of Thrones I had to start reading the books. I always seem to love the books more than the movie versions.
August 18, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Hi Marlea, I had never heard of George R.R. Martin until Game of Thrones came to HBO. I have yet to see the series but have heard good things about it. I agree; books are almost always better than the movie versions. Maybe that is because they add more detail and we can get quite imaginative in our own heads.
August 15, 2011 at 12:56 pm
I love your little pendant, it’s so unusual. I too love the Medieval period, but I’m a big history buff, I know how difficult life was during that time. Happy Anniversary and many more!!
August 18, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Thanks Georgina. You’re right that while we’ve idealized the Medieval time period in our heads (thank you Hollywood, etc), it really was a brutal time. I’m not sure how well I would’ve survived.
August 23, 2011 at 4:31 pm
I’m deep into the Game of Thrones books and series. Amazing detail about medieval life, but I’m also a costumer, so I have always loved that period. Your creations always inspire me, Amy! Congratulations on the blog and on your new jewelry. Both are fab.