Rachel wanted a hair vine which would reflect the flowers, leaves & colours  embroidered into the golden silk of her wedding dress, together with the Mediaeval venue & autumnal setting of her wedding.

First, I made a 'trial vine' with a variety of shapes, sizes & colours of flowers & leaves, based on the dress fabric sample (see photos) from which Rachel could select her preferences.

However, whilst her preference was clearly for the garnet gemstone flowers, with medium/dark hair, it was essential that lighter flowers were also strongly featured in the design.

Made from pliable brass wire (to reflect the gold of the dress) it is studded with flowers made from freshwater pearl & semi-precious gemstone garnet, peridot & citrine teardrops with gemstone & crystal centres, whilst the leaves are made from graduating shades of Swarovski crystals in olivine & lime.

To allay her hairdresser's initial fears about fixing, near-invisible wire loops were built into the stems at frequent intervals (look carefully, & you'll see them). And on the day it went into place very quickly & easily - & stayed there: even through the Ceilidh!

And survived to be worn another day (as was always intended) . In fact, most of these photos were taken weeks after the wedding itself.

Versions of this could, of course, be made to any length in any gemstone or crystal mix, to any individual design, using brass wire (as here) or rolled gold, plated / Sterling Silver wire acording to preference.

And if the price looks a bit steep - consider that these ARE gemstones, not glass - & that it took around 85 hours to make (not including the time & materials for the trial vine).

The result was this 24 inch long hair vine.