Accessorizing a Grand Wedding Celebration - Part 3

This last week was a busy one around these parts!  I was putting the final stages together for my sister's bridal shower.  I wanted to make sure she felt like a complete princess.  So with the help of my Aunt Monica, we concocted the perfect party! 

In continuing with preparing Amy's accessories for her wedding, I had blogged about her bracelet a time ago and I had already finished my mom's earrings.  I have Amy's necklace and earrings still to do... and the bridesmaid jewelry too... but what I'm about to share with you is a first for Designs By Dawn Marie.

Amy in her beautiful veil - click to enlarge photo

I created Amy's wedding veil using beautiful, sparkling Swarovski Crystal.  Her ceremony is outdoors, so she didn't want a really long veil, but she did like the layered veil best.  Her dress is very elegant with tons of crystals, sequins, pearls and very beautiful lace appliques.  So I set to work and beaded up the perfect veil. 

The piping is hand-stitched using silver-lined crystal 1.8mm Toho cubes from Artbeads.com.  Then on the tulle itself, I created a random pattern of sparkle using Swarovski #3128 Lochrosen crystal sequins.  Not too many suppliers carry this style of Swarovski crystal.  I was referred to this style of crystal from Sherry Serafini from a class I took with her back in November and I picked them up from Fusion Beads.  I knew they would be perfect for the veil because they lay flat and provide a ton of sparkle.  SO I got 3mm, 4mm, and 6mm crystal in foil-back and AB finished and created a "snowfall" effect using the smaller crystals near the top and graduating to the larger crystals as I neared the bottom. 

Let me tell you, capturing the picture was a challenge because the crystals sparkle just so darn much.  I stitched over 100 crystals on her veil and it turned out beautifully.  Everybody at the party was just blown away at how perfect it is for Amy!  I know Amy loved it and I cannot wait to see her wearing it on her wedding day... heck I'm already a blubbing big sister crying all over the place here.  Oy...

Can't wait to share more with you, but I have to get back to work! Hope your week is fantastic!
{Hugs!}
~Dawn

Amy, Grandma and Mom

Corsage made by Frontier Flowers in Fontana, WI

Flower Centerpiece by Frontier Flowers in Fontana, WI

 

P.S.  The cake that you see there... well what's left of it anyhow, it was delicious.  I made it using a recipe I saw on the Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten on the Food Network of a layered coconut cake.  It was to.die.for (or from if you have an aversion to real butter.)  But let me tell you, it was delicious and so special for her special day!  I toasted my coconut for the top to give it a little nuttier flavor (because my family consists of a lot of nuts) and it was delicious.  Note, we refuse to check the caloric content because it really doesn't matter... LOL