Solbella’s Geekery

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Learning to get things to be more period – but enjoying the creativity!

Italian Renaissance Flea Pelts – AKA Zibellini

These are process photos of shaping the basic parts of a zibellino, a fur with a decorated tip, worn draped at the neck or hanging at the waist, or carried in the hand. This is an unfinished project, made with tin foil and polymer clay. Awaiting jewels and the pelt.

An Italian Renaissance Inspired Hand Fan

The materials for this hand fan are wood, lace, paint, and a wooden dowel.

Painting Silk Banners

I have been experimenting with painting silk banners.

Bookbinding

I began learning bookbinding. The materials used are linen, leather, pine wood, linen parchment, and linen string… and wood glue.

Principality of the Summits Coronet Tourney Shield Board

I made the shield board for the Principality of the Summits in [year]. The materials are acrylic paint on wood. A shield board is used to display small heraldic shields showing pairs who will fight each other during a Coronet Tourney where the next Prince and Princess are chosen.

Middle Eastern-inspired Pillbox Hat

The materials for this hat are wool felting, cotton embroidery floss, and freshwater pearls. The design is an attempt at Turkish tulips. The hat is called a tarpus and comes in various shapes.

Fourteen Foot Round Pavillion from the ground up

The measurements for the design of this pavillion were done by Master Brizio of the Rampant Squirrel. I made the wooden frame and sewed the tent fabric. This tent was made in [year] and the wood is still working, but the fabric has since perished. The measurements are still in my files, written on a napkin!

A Russian-inspired Hat

I made this hat for the Pelican to whom I am apprenticed, Nadezhda Volynskaiia. The materials I used are wool batting, linen fabric, trim, and pearls.

Mongolian-inspired Hat

Anyone who goes to SCA events in An Tir knows that a good warm hat is essential. I made this hat inspired by designs of Mongolian fur hats, which are made in pie-shaped sections of fabric. The materials are wool felting, faux fur ( couldn’t afford real), jade, obsidian, peridot, and black dyed freshwater pearls. I inserted a linen liner.

Citations

Two muzzles and one fox-paw; from a series of twenty etchings of jewellery designs. 1562 Etching Print made by: Erasmus Hornick

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15 Replies to “Solbella’s Geekery”

  1. This is an awesome collection of work! I especially adore your Mongolian hat! Beautiful work!

  2. Wow! Your eye for design and composition is fantastic! Thank you for posting all the process pics <3. I second Taran, the pictures on the list board does not show its full and wonderful beauty. THank you for creating it for the Summints!

  3. You make pretty things!
    I love seeing all the process photos of how each thing progressed. Remembering to document the process is one of the hardest things for me to remember. Also, I have to say that the pictures don’t do the shield board justice, it is even prettier in person!
    Thank you for sharing your art with us.

  4. Wow, so many facets to this presentation!
    Zibellini are fascinating to me; I cannot wait to see the completed piece! I can tell by your embellishments on the other pieces that it will be a masterpiece!
    I love your attention to the little details, and the thoroughness with which you complete each piece. The Russian hat made my jaw drop!

    Thank you for sharing your art with us 🙂

  5. Your work is delightful! I love that you have hit many cultures and time periods with your adventures. The embroidery on your hats is nicely done.

    ~Dame Elizabeth FittzWilliam. OL

  6. A great variety of artistic work and techniques!
    I am loving your hat work in particular! The use of embroidery, applique and beading is fabulous. The attention to detail is very well shown. I found myself wishing for more pictures to understand all the patterning for all three of the hats. I think it would be great to see your full process and geek out about it!
    Unfortunately I am not able to be part of the conferences on Saturday, but please feel free to find me on Facebook as I would love to talk with you further.
    Keep up the great work, I can’t wait to see where it experience leads you.
    Aryana Silknfyre, Laurel, AnTir

  7. I really like your Mongolian hat design. That has to be the most lavishly decorated panel around a hat that I’ve seen on a hat of this type, and the topknot decoration has a lot going on. Great use of stones.

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