A Little “Bling” Needed…

I have a special request that some of you may be able to help me with. My latest project is a hat for a costume representing the Hana region of the Czech Republic. These hats can be truly spectacular and have lots of, what we call today, “bling”. Czechs are very frugal so, in that fashion, I would like to create this project with that trait in mind. Ideally, I would like to use family heirloom costume jewelry but since we don’t have any available, I’m doing the next best thing…asking family and friends if they may have items they would like to contribute.

Please don’t send me your family jewels. That is not what I am looking for. I am looking to recycle pieces, or parts of items, that may be broken but still has parts of it that would be salvageable. This hat will be original but see the pictures posted here for examples of the kind of hat I will be making. The kinds of things I will be looking for include: any Czech “bling”, Swarovski crystals or any very sparkly crystals, shiny beads (matte finish beads are not sparkly enough), tiny mirrors, etc.

I will need to buy some items but I would like much of the design to be created from items that are recycled, making the hat beautiful to behold and also a conversation piece. I hope to get started right away so if have some items that you would like to contribute I will need them right away. In return, I will send you pictures of the finished project.

Please don’t be offended if I am not able to use all of the items I receive on this project. Much will depend of what I receive but I will still send pictures and may use the other items on future costume pieces. If you have any thing you would like to contribute to the project or for more information, email me at czechcostumes@gmail.com.

I am going to look through my old jewelry to see if I can find something. And, oh yeah, I am going to call Mom to see if she has anything.

Thanks for your help.
Sharon Middlebrook