Making own tiara??

[amjhdrummer]

So I've been shopping around for a tiara; and the ones I'm drawn too are all mainly wire-wrapped beaded tiaras... And pretty much all of the techniques to do them is what I do with the jewelry I make! I mean... how hard could it be? It's exactly what I do for my bracelets and necklaces except its on a headband..

So I started to search for really plain tiaras (that are cheap) or a plain silver tiara (just the actual tiara base, nothing on it) And I couldn't find just the base in 3 different craft stores that I went too, so I looked at the mall- and at Claire's they have those $5-$15 dollar tiaras...So I actually ended up buying 3 different ones because I couldn't decide at the moment exactly which look I liked (since I don't know what hair style I like) And then I'll take the other 2 back when I'm finished...

And so I started wire-wrapping some beads (Pearls at the moment because there are pearls on my dress) And I'm getting pretty excited about it... But I'm afraid to put TOO many pearls on it. I also liked the filigree/scrolly ones with lots of metal scrolls in it so I want to do some of that as well... (which I've done before with a bracelet, and I know how to sauder (sp?) So that's not a problem...just put a bead or something at the sauder point to cover it up...

When I tried some on at wedding stores like Davids Bridal and some other places around here, I LOVE the ones with all the details and such... But even from 10ft away from the mirror I can't tell what's really there. I'll have it on during the ceremony, and the reception (I'll be wearing my wedding dress at the reception as well)... But whats the point of having soo much scroll and bead work, just to not even tell what's really there?

I know there are cute cheap ones that I could just go buy, but i wanted to experiment with making my own first... If not, the bands can be returned, and I sell jewelry on a regular basis so the wire and beads aren't going to waste... I also wanted to incorporate my veil into the tiara as well somehow. I'll have the blusher veil, then instead of take it off for the reception I'll just flip it over because I didn't want 3 or 4 different hair clips in my hair...

Did anyone else make one? Any problems I should think about?

Thanks for bearing with this long post!

[pinkbride]

Great Idea!! I was going to make my own but then I fell in love with a diamonte one and ordered that instead,

Id love to see what you come up with, having made jewelry im sure it will be a easy fun project for you! good luck I hope it turns out great!!! x

[amjhdrummer]

Here's a couple current pictures... for the life of me (I've been to 3 craft stores...) I can't find a plain silver head band/tiara...like, just the base (or even any other color! But i prefer silver!)

So I started (to mess around with) a tiara that I found at Claire's (in the mall..) for $5... If not- it's only a couple dollars. the pearls didn't cost more than $2, and I already had the wire.

Here's a (somewhat blury-from my phone) few pics of it at the moment. It had some clay roses on it, and I took them off (you can see the hot glue spots) and I'll be replacing it with (i think) some pearl flowers out of beads I'll make myself... there are 3 spots where you can see the hot glue.. by the way- know of any way to remove it? thanks!

Below is the back, where you can see the wire wrapping I did..
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh1/amjhdrummer/IMAG0522.jpg


Here's part of the front. Some of the beads are crooked because I started the project on my couch, and it's been sitting on the coffee table all week because I've been super busy, but those can be/are straightened now...

And I'm not sure if I like all of the pearls along the top part, or not... or if I should continue them along the rest of the wire? I wired all the sections separately so it won't be hard to undo them and take them off..

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh1/amjhdrummer/IMAG0521.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh1/amjhdrummer/IMAG0520.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh1/amjhdrummer/IMAG0520.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh1/amjhdrummer/IMAG0518.jpg

Yup.. And that's my FH in the background watching the Penguins game... :)

Overall it's a fun project.. maybe I'll use this for my rehearsal dinner or bach. party instead of the actual wedding...

[amjhdrummer]

Good for you!
I think you probably need some advice obout your wedding dress. If you do, this site might help a little:
http://www.a-lineweddingdresses.com/


Thanks for the advice; but I actually have my dress already- it's hanging in my old closet at my moms house :) I guess I actually haven't posted those pics yet... hmmm...

*runs off to go post pics... after work and after my drive to detroit tonight!*

[pinkbride]

wow! thats looking great!! im glad you are enjoying it, it looks fun to do!! cant wait to see the finished product(s?!) xx