Friday 15 July 2011

Persephone's Bodice

...by the skin of my teeth!


Tonight I'm talking to the North Herts and Beds Embroiderer's Guild.
My talk is called "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"
It is about five women, real and fictional, the stories and myths associated with them and about the five bodices I've created as a result.


I finished Persephone's Bodice about 10 minutes ago. I always work well under pressure when I've got a deadline but even for me this was cutting it fine!


Fortunately I'm happy with the result because it would have been a bit late to start again. The bodice is based on the Greek myth of Persephone and in particular it was inspired by the pomegranate.


The twisted leaves and pomegranate brooch show how Persephone is tied to Hades for four months each year because she ate the pomegranate seeds.


And the entire bodice, including the leaves has been made from these nets that fruit and vegetables come in. Even though I prefer to buy my fresh produce loose, I have been known to buy large quantities in these nets just to get a particular colour (I've just used my entire stock of green nets!)


I will also be talking about Marie Antoinette's woolly vest!


A bodice for Anne Boleyn


A corset for Cleopatra


And a bodice for Miss Havisham


Of course as a result of stitching like some demented woman for the past two days my studio looks as though a bomb has hit it. There are scraps of fruit net everywhere not to mention the bags that remain unpacked from teaching on Wednesday so I'd better get off the computer and tidy up because it is Open Studios again this weekend.

Full details can be found on www.camopenstudios.co.uk
Would love to see you... and of course, I'll  have a new bodice on display!

26 comments:

  1. I am concerned: are pomegranates the new leaves???

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  2. Such diverse characters but each has a gorgeous garment. No-one would believe that fruit nets were incorporated - such a clever idea and a brilliant way of recycling!

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  3. For some reason I just can't throw away those net bags - a large stash is accumulating in the studio cupboard!

    These are wonderful corsets - I love the references to their owners. Will you have them at your Open Studio this weekend?

    Celia

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  4. Wow brilliant job ......i love that you finished with 10 mins to spare...a gal after my own heart !!...x

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  5. Gina, these creations are fantastic! Each of them is definitely designed for a different character. Lucky folks who will get to see them close up.

    What an amazing woman you are!

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  6. Oh my goodness, Gina - your bodices are fabulous, every one of them and I'm amazed that Persephone's bodice is made from fruit nets! You always amaze me with the incredible things you make :o)

    Hope you have a fantastic weekend and good luck with the tidying!

    xxx

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  7. "And the entire bodice, including the leaves has been made from these nets that fruit and vegetables come in. Even though I prefer to buy my fresh produce loose, I have been known to buy large quantities in these nets just to get a particular colour (I've just used my entire stock of green nets!)" - and I thought I was the only one who did such things. Thanks for making me feel quite normal, especially when I have traipsed some items around the globe as I have moved about.

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  8. Just stunning. I am lost for words.

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  9. I love them all Gina, they're stunning. How clever of you to use those little nets and what a great effect!
    Hope your weekend goes well. :)
    Vivienne x

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  10. fabulous Gina. you do work well under pressure! I love your orange/red work, the colours really work for me. all the bodices are so different in texture/style/colour, lovely contrast. nice to know we're all slightly bonkers (not that I'm inferring anything of course!) in the things that we like to collect just in case.

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  11. A stunning array of garments. Lucky ladies who will listen to your talk.

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  12. A stunning array of garments. Lucky ladies who will listen to your talk.

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  13. The story of Persephone is a personal favourite of mine Gina. It is so rich in imagery and you've produced another stunning piece of work in your response to it. Would love to be a fly on the wall at your talk tonight. What with that and all the talking you'll be doing over the weekend with open studio visitors I think you'll be croaking out the words by Monday. Pace yourself and drink lots of water! Lesley x

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  14. Wow I can't wait to see the new bodice, it looks beautiful.

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  15. Wow this stunning!! Hope your talk goes well and have a great weekend. :)

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  16. They're wonderful ....... all of them and hope you have a good weekend!

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  17. Fabulous bodices Gina! I hope the wet weather doesn't keep people away this weekend.

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  18. AbFab darrling!
    I think it would take me a year to make just one bodice!
    They are wonderful!
    Well done.
    Have a great weekend,

    Sandie xx

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  19. It was worth the extra effort and stress, it's spectacular!

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  20. So amazing. I never would have imagined something so fabulous could be made from fruit and veg nets!

    K x

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  21. Beautiful work, you are one busy girl!

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  22. Oh, wow, they are all amazing! You are so talented.

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  23. And to think I just throw those net bags away,I'll keep them in future,wonderful work Gina.

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  24. These are wonderful! Such a lot of stitching and work. But I agree that ten minutes is cutting it a bit fine - says she who has been continuing to stitch things for the Art Trail, even though it started a week ago...

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  25. Breathtaking....I am in love with them all...Polly will love the first one as this is one of her favourite Greek Myths and she aims to name her first born Persethene...hope its not a boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  26. You really are incredibly clever! I love all the bodices and the use of fruit nets is inspired! lucy xx

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