So What is a Casket Keepsake?

Elizabethans loved their needlework . . .
it incorporated raised work and metal threads . . .
The embroidery sometimes depicted the seasons, senses or virtues . . .
on needlework panels, clothing and of course, on needlework caskets.
Sometimes the needlework caskets contained little Keepsakes . . .
I am pleased to present my Kits and Online Tutorials.

During Elizabethan times, visual communications through needlework motifs provided messages of values and moral lessons. Representations of the Four Elements – Fire, Water, Air and Earth were popular motifs as they believed the World to be composed of 4 basic elements. These were considered to exist within each human being and were the critical energy forces that sustained life. Maintaining a balance between these elements would ensure physical well-being.

The second in the ‘Elements’ series is WATER.

Water is a symbol for power, wisdom, grace, purity, and regeneration.

I am pleased to offer the Water Casket Keepsakes Kit, which will provide you with step by step instructions and the materials to create the two finely detailed needleworkers accoutrements:



The first Keepsake in the Water Casket Keepsakes Kit is a Sea Monster needle keep. The Sea Monster incorporates several different vintage metal trims.  The size is 4” x 2 1/2” and 3/4” thick.

Roll your mouse over the image to view opened needle vial.



The second Keepsake in the Water Casket Keepsakes Kit is a Crab shaped bag to hold a thread winder. Each side of the crab incorporates different needlework techniques inspired by 17th century antiques examples. The size is only 3” x 2 1/2” x 1/2" thick.

Roll your mouse over the image to view the bag open.



For more information and details on the Earth Casket Keepsakes Online Tutorial, please click HERE.

The kit first in the series is EARTH!

Earth is a symbol for strength, stability, orderliness,  creativity, dependability and wisdom.

I am pleased to offer the Earth Casket Keepsakes Kit, which will provide you with step by step instructions and the materials to create the two finely detailed needleworkers accoutrements:

The first Keepsake in the Earth Casket Keepsakes Kit  is a Snail Tape Measurer. Each side of the snail incorporates different needlework techniques inspired by 17th century antiques examples. The size is only 2” x 3/4” x 1 1/4" tall.  

Roll your mouse over the image to view the other side.

The second is a pinkeep. What could be more earthy than Obsidian Volcanic Glass Headed Pins which are stored along the outside edge.  A Grasshopper is depicted on one side and a a Caterpillar on the other.   The size is 1 3/4” x 3” x 1/2" thick.   

Roll your mouse over the image to view the other side.

  For more information and details on the Earth Casket Keepsakes Online Tutorial please click HERE.

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The sixth tutorial of the series,  Diligence Casket Keepsakes Tutorial 

A Bee Skep Tape Measure /Thread Keep and a Bee ORT Container with a Bee Thread Winder  will be the three projects for the Diligence Casket Keepsakes Tutorial.   

 Under the Bee Skep is a small spool for thread and the base holds a tape measure.
The overall size is only 2 3/4” tall x 1 1/4” diameter  

Roll your mouse over the image to view the workings

The second keepsake is an ORT Container to collect your bits of thread.  The ORT container can also store your Bee Thread Keep
Size 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” and 1 1/4” tall when open.
 

Roll your mouse over the image to view open.

The third keepsake is the Bee Thread Keep
Size 2 1/4” diameter.

Roll your mouse over the image to view detail.

I am pleased to offer the  Diligence Casket Keepsakes Tutorial, which will provide you with step by step instructions and the materials to create the three finely detailed needleworkers accoutrements.  For more information and details on the Harmony Casket Keepsakes Online Tutorial please click HERE.

The fifth tutorial of the series,  Harmony Casket Keepsakes Tutorial,  is still available.

The Harmony Scissor Keep is designed and sized for the Bohin Metal Thread Scissors (Sold separately). As an alternative to the Metal Thread Scissors, the Harmony Scissor Keep also co-ordinates and works nicely with the Bohin Red Embroidery Scissors (Sold separately).

  The Harmony Scissor Keep is 5 1/2” x 3 1/2” not including the scissor fob. The Rose Scissor Fob is 1 1/2" dimeter on a 3 1/2" long braid.

Roll your mouse over the image to view the back.

The back is printed on silk and embroidered with a facsimile of the Lute Music for 'Greene Sleeves'

The second keepsake is a thread keep in the form of a Lute which incorporates a real walnut shell. The Lute holds two tiny wooden spools for thread. 

Size 3 1/2” x 1 3/4” x 1 1/4".  A magnet within the lute trame will secure the lid of the keep. 

Roll your mouse over the image to view back.

I am pleased to offer the  Harmony Casket Keepsakes Tutorial, which will provide you with step by step instructions and the materials to create the two finely detailed needleworkers accoutrements.  For more information and details on the Harmony Casket Keepsakes Online Tutorial please click HERE.