"Seeking symbolic meaning of the rose from an esoteric perspective, in which the rose is considered a symbol of balance.
Here the beauty of the rose expresses promise, new beginnings, hope."
THEN
Many years ago, I created a rose band for a wedding "veil" made of paper...
I started with a collection of papers including Japanese mulberry papers, Tyvek, and tea bags.
From there I bleached the tea bags and cut them into petal shapes.
I used a Japanese scrunching technique to give them just the right flower texture.
Here is the finished piece with the flower groupings placed on a band and secured with a satin ribbon that would crown any bride's head comfortably!
Close up noting the various papers, pearls, feathers, ribbons...
It was a fabulous exploration of seeing what paper could do!
NOW!
Spring forward to this year and I decided to expand by combining my paper skills and my dying skills together in to one glorious piece.
I had recently been creating Paper Hats using Italian 180 weight crepe paper and thought to create a fascintor (small hat) using this particular paper that I hand-dyed.
...while beautiful, it wasn't quite was my soul wanted to express for this piece. I wanted something softer and more fluid....
Part of creating a new life for myself...my soul...has been working on the process of slowing down and being mindfully (and delightfully) present with myself and therefore my work.
I am able to hear my soul's inspired feelings-words on which direction I want to create my clear voice.
So pulled out my Japanese papers and started dying using Procion dye.
Now I knew I was headed in the right direction! I knew these would make the delicate soft petals feminine I was looking for...
Now for the centers...
I had dyed this crepe thinking it would make beautiful stamens.
Here is a Rose with this center...it was wonderful but not quite right for this project...
I found my pearl stamens...
Bingo- exactly where I wanted to go with this...delicate and very feminine.
Now finding the right foundation to set these beauties upon...
We are fortunate to have a millinery shop here locally..many of their items are handmade and vintage. I found the perfect foundation of vintage "chicken" wire.
The edge binding was of a cotton and I decided to add this beautiful vintage kimono fabric...after all when you are dying and creating each flower, it suits to follow through in every detail!
Here is the final piece!
I am very happy with the way this turned out...feminine, easy to wear, and comfortable in any weather.
This Rose Hat is available!!
Contact Leslie here if interested
or wish a custom paper hat of your very own.
