We Don't Need No Stinkin' Badges!

Whether you recognize the quote (and often misquote) from Treasure of the Sierra Madre, from the movie Blazing Saddles, or from the parody done by The Monkees, you will probably disagree.  Once you see badges in historic portrait and photos you will understand that we absolutely need stinkin' badges!  Okay, not stinkin' badges, but beautiful sparkling beribboned badges!

Later this month I have organized and will participate in a Biltmore Estate costume weekend in Asheville, North Carolina.  The attendees are coming from many different parts of the United States and some don't know each other.  I thought it might be fun to create a way of recognizing each other by a beribboned badge with the North Carolina State Flower, the dogwood blossom, in its center.  I found the perfect piece online, found a beautiful two-sided brown/aqua satin ribbon in my stash, and made 30 pin-backed ribbons which will be in the welcome bags for the attendees.

Two finished, 28 more to sew!

30 badges finished to be placed in organza bags.

Beautiful sparkle with a Swarovski crystal center.

For Costume College 2014 a small group of us had decided we would wear Edwardian court gowns to the Saturday evening gala.  I found a nice set of badges on ebay and some blue moire ribbon similar to that worn by the Royals in my grandmother's home country of Sweden.  While I didn't wear my badges and sash last year, I have another event coming up where that costume will be appropriate and since it was apparently Badge Making Week in my sewing room, I decided to finish my other badges as well.

With inspiration from some wonderful costumers (thank you Gina White!) I made several Royal Family Order and fantasy badges from various buttons and findings from craft stores, some crystals and glue, ribbon, and pin backs.

The top photo is my husband who is the most important member of my personal family, the second portrait is Swedish Count Axel von Fersen, 1755-1810, friend of Marie Antoinette, and the lower jewel is beautiful as it is and I was afraid I was going to break it by trying to take it apart.

Here is my colorful and fun collection of badges!

In bright sunlight.

In very low light.

 The camera flash brightens every little crystal!

We'll call this one the "Order of the Dogwood" badge.  You're right!  It's the badge I made for the Biltmore Estate weekend later this month!

 

Love,

Jeanette