As an accessories merchant, I've been getting more and more requests lately for pirate jewelry. I generally tend to work from portraits of Tudor-Era royalty and their courtiers, not so much in the pirate realm.
What kinds of things should I start thinking of offering to cater to my Pirate clientele, both in jewelry and feather accessories (I do offer some hat pins now)?
Is there something in particular, other than using cameos with skulls and crossbones on them, that I can do that will make a piece of women's jewelry be more suitable for a pirate than a lady at court? Are there certain articles of jewelry and/or colors that you're more drawn to?
What kinds of accessories do you male pirates wear?
Thanks in advance for you assistance in getting me headed in the right direction! :)
hmmm...
Perhaps a necklace or some such with swords? Or even coins?
is that tacky? lol
ETA: I was just looking up some things and also came across some more ideas... things like the ships wheel sized down for a necklace charm, an anchor, a small treasure chest charm, a ship miniature
Those are all so nautical though...
I personally like to wear darker jewelry... deep reds, blues, with black chains. Lots of pewter. I think the jewelry itself needs to have an air of "sinister" to it. Something, delightfully dangerous. *like me :P*
Thanks so much, ladies! Love the ideas so far!!!
Come to think of, it I do have some dagger pendant charms and think I have seen swords as well. What about pistols? Would that be of interest to a pirate as the theme for a set of jewelry items?
I figured reds and blacks would be a big hit....how about dark emerald greens or dark purples? For metals, would silver be favored moreso than gold?
I think dark purples and greens would work great.
ohhh accessories
personally, I stay away from the typical jolly roger themed jewelry, seems kinda cheesy, but thats just me. My pirate character is more of a wannabe noble with an elevated sense of self. Think of a mix between Vizzini from princess bride and Captain Hook.
I like all the dark purples, red, emeralds etc.
pistols and coins would be great.
I happen to like that aged silver look. And bronze.... if you could get an antiqued gold, that would be awesome. You know, that "just scraped off the bottom of the ocean" look LOL.
I like the aged silver and bronze, or something in antique gold.
Typical pirate symbols are :
-skull and cross bones
- a pirate ship
- a eyepatch
- a dagger
- a hook
-a treasure chest
- a treasure map
- a keg of rum
Pirates , especially some well known pirate captains like to adorn themselves with rings, earrings and necklaces. It was a way of expressing their wealth and satus. just like celeberties today show off their bling.
You could use different gemstones to work with too. Pirates were not just into gold coins , they were fond of different gems also.
When i protray my pirate captain character at faire i wear gold earrings , i have a gold coin necklace , and several rings on.
I agree, chunky antiquie gold necklaces would rock. I'm not into the wheels and skulls stuff. i also portray a wealthy pirate, so i wear pearls alot, but i think a chunky type necklace would be cool... maybe even something with spikes or daggers or something...
I think poison rings are cool. My pirate twin has two. She's also got a Victorian-ish necklace with a skull and crossbones and a coin necklace. And of course, a few strands of hair beads.
Quote from: Var Greyshadow on May 04, 2009, 04:51:25 PM
I think poison rings are cool. My pirate twin has two. She's also got a Victorian-ish necklace with a skull and crossbones and a coin necklace. And of course, a few strands of hair beads.
Oh, yeah,I like those poison rings!
I think,because pirates love to show off their wealth,something over the top,very big bling on it!
Poison rings...I'll definitely look into seeing if I can get the materials to make those. I do have larger rings available that have 25x18mm glass oval and rectangular stones on them, but I like the idea of adding a poison compartment underneath.
How do the hair beads attach exactly, Var? I have tons of larger glass beads that I could use for something like that.
I also wear a mariners cross. Yes it is nautical, but, pirates, nautical they kinda go together. But the list Lady Amy of York put up is kind of a pirate list of needs must haves. Most would look at my cross and go "WHAT'S THAT??" Hell I had a chief in the Navy tell me I had to take of my jewelry till I got back in his face and explained what it was. Then I told him to go to hell.
Cameos with Mermaids! I talked to several ladies at Pyrate con who mentioned loving my mermaids, so... sounds like a perfect thing for jewelry for pirates.
Something you might want to try is selling earrings individually. When I think of pirates, I think of having just ONE earring, either a hoop or a single stone on a hook. That was your insurance to pay for your burial.
As for jewels, something faceted that catches the light (gotta love the sparklies!) or pearls (keeping with the nautical theme) would be my preference. And the metals would definitely be gold, not silver.
Just as an item of jewelery you might want to look at- what about belt buckles? A lot of pirates I know wear multiple belts and baldrics for carrying all their weapons and other gear, so why not dress them up a bit?
edit: ooh! And what about a compass rose as a charm?
Quote from: sapphireandsage on May 04, 2009, 07:17:22 PM
Poison rings...I'll definitely look into seeing if I can get the materials to make those. I do have larger rings available that have 25x18mm glass oval and rectangular stones on them, but I like the idea of adding a poison compartment underneath.
How do the hair beads attach exactly, Var? I have tons of larger glass beads that I could use for something like that.
Mine don't really have beads. They're like the ones on this site: http://www.kimsvisionsanddreams.com/masyne.html
(I can't remember the vendor at TRF where I got the first one and the second was a find at Charming Charlie.) Most of the poison rings I've seen are fairly small, but I'm certain you'll come up with something. That big ring in your profile picture looks like it's hinged.
Quote from: sapphireandsage on May 04, 2009, 07:17:22 PM
Poison rings...I'll definitely look into seeing if I can get the materials to make those. I do have larger rings available that have 25x18mm glass oval and rectangular stones on them, but I like the idea of adding a poison compartment underneath.
I had a hard time finding my poison ring...I was told by some vendors that they stopped selling them because they were prone to breakng. I suppose it's because the latch or the hinge wore out. Just mentioning that as something to keep in mind.
I do have one earring style that is a simple hoop that I sell individually or as a pair. I was able to find another bold ornate ring that could be turned into a nice pirate earrings. Gonna order them today! I also found some nice mermaid cameos, so I'll have to design a necklace around them that will be pirate-worthy. Thanks for the suggestions!
The ring in my profile pic is indeed hinged - it has a working locket on it that has images of Anne Boleyn and QEI inside. It is a replica of a ring that was owned by Elizabeth herself. I've got images of the original on my wensite above the photos of my replication design. I've seen the poison rings already made somewhere, but I like to add touches to anything I get that makes them my own. I don't do any reselling of items that haven't been customized somehow by my own hand. That's the tough part of offering something like that - finding the bare-bones parts that aren't adorned on top is going to be tough!
I tend to stay away from the typical pirate symbols and just pile on more jewelry. To my way of thinking a pirate would wear the same jewelry as the people they were stealing.....I mean "borrowing"....it from!
As for the poison rings- mine opens to reveal a watch face. Very handy at faire.
I thought the same thing! Of course, they'd probably opt to keep the "blingier" pieces to show off...but then, would the bulky stuff be too cumbersome for life onboard a ship???? Maybe I'm putting a little too much practical thought into it, though! ;)
Heeho!
Try foreign pieces - aka: indian, chinese, african, and south american/caribbean, or attempt to include foreign elements in european pieces. Part of the modern fascination (and past fascination) with pirates is their reputation as explorers who visited lands unvisitable by normal folk. Also, a pirates garb and accessories lived a harsh life on a ship, bouncing around, surronded by briney air, etc. - distressed metals, ones with a patina or (for a poor pirate) where the plating appears to have fallen off, might make the pieces a little more distinguishable.
toodles!!
I did find come replications of French, Egyptian, and Chinese coins...I'm wondering if those would be suitable, though. Maybe it would be preferred if they were actual circulated coins? There are many that have the open centers that I could attach to heavy gold-tone chains, of vinatge chains that are more worn-looking, and solid coins could be put into bezel settings to make them usable as pendants.
What do you all think of the coin types (your preference of real vs. replication charms) strung on chains and fashioned into long and short necklaces?
Oooh, I love the idea of coin type necklaces, very cool. real would be cool if they look good, but replica old type coins might be better. Ones with Queen ELizabeth on them or something!!
All this awesome jewelry talk is making me wish I had a pirate persona! :)
I think this may have already been mentioned, but remember that although pirates
owned or made some of their jewelery, alot of the stuff they wore was stolen from ships, and wealthy merchants and nobleman. So if you are going for the modern day pirate , pirate insignia's will do, but if you want historical accuracy, i would go for coin necklaces and fancy gemstones.
A pearl necklace or long belt with a mermaid cameo would be great.
I def agree that the jewelery has to look like it was commandeered from some poor soul that came across the pirates.
I kind of like the idea of foreign coins.
I mean especially back then gold is gold, regardless of the face on it. You can always melt it down.
I like the belt buckle idea also.
I wear a large waist cincher belt, a baldric and two regular belts for my other sword, pouches etc.
So some nice blingy buckles would be great.
I know we are talking about about jewelery type accesories,
but what about a cool spy glass?? I'd love to have one for my character
From what I know of the historical Pirates is that they were kinda like magpies.. if it was shiny they were all over it lol. Also think Dandy to the word( just with pistols and sharp and ponties out the wazoo lol)
Its hard for me becuse my pirate is a frilly kinda Lolita kinda girl, so for that I go for LOTS of pearls and shiny bits
The coins would rock because there was piracy all over the world so there would be all sorts of coin popping up
oh, oh!! a great place to find coinage in jewelry is belly dance!!!!
on E-bay, search the word Kuchi, or Afghani, etc. In my profile pic, I am wearing a kuchi necklace I got at the ALARF for $10!!!! and bright shiny mirrored belts! lol!
I make pirate hair beads-I use kuchi coins and bone skull beads and anything antique looking. Attached with barrettes. My Evil pirate twin also wears skull bone bead bracelets and amber too.
As a matter of "authenticity", pirates, and sailors in general would typically carry their gold they had made in the form of jewelry so that in the event of their death, their comrades could use the gold to pay for a proper funeral. I've read that in several pirate history books, and am sure with a little web research you could find the same information. Good luck!
Thanks for all the fantastic input! It is very, very appreciated! I'm working on gathering some supplies now and hope to be able to post pics for feedback soon.
OK, it has been a while in the making, but I've got the beginnings of a coin necklace ready for feedback:
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace.jpg
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace2.jpg
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace-long.jpg
The chain is a nice plated aluminum, so it isn't too heavy for all-day wear. The beads and coins add a nice amount of weight, but it is still pretty comfortable and not too front-heavy. I can get a heavier chain, but I had this chain on-hand already, and it looks pretty spiffy, even without the heaviness of a brass-base chain.
The coins used are from different countries and time periods, but none seemed to be completely off-base to me. The middle link should show a good close-up of the coins - let me know what you think!
The coin-only version was lacking color (for my taste, anyway!), so I added some glass teardrops (could have been "borrowed" from an Italian merchant ship leaving Venice, right?) and some Chinese faux cinnabar beads. I'm not sure how well-received the colored beads will be by you pirate folk, so I'd love to hear your opinions on the piece, both with and without them.
Does it need anything else to make it more appealing to your own persona, or would you prefer something that has the heavy chain and coins only?
Personally, I don't like those particular colored beads. I'm not opposed to colered beads in general, but the red and blue is a little too Fourth of July for a pirate, to me.
That did occur to me, but tjhe emerald beads I had would have looked too Christmas-y. I thought of adding some green in a different shape so that 3 colors were represented, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. Would that work better, do you think? How about gold-tone and/or silver-tone (maybe copper, as well?) larger patterened beads instead of multi-colored ones?
Would it be too crazy/difficult to offer the option when purchasing to customize the colored beads to the buyers choice? That way if they really wanted a certain color or set of colors, it could be incorporated in for them
I would definitely offer the choice of colors for the teardrop glass beads. The cinnabar only comes in red, though. I may make up one that has the metalized beads only, no colored ones, just to show as an alternate example. My website's catalog offerings give lots of options for colors whenever the materials are available, so this piece wouldn't be any different in that respect. I love giving my clients lots of options so that they can customize their orders, making their pieces more unique and to their own personal tastes. Plus, I'm not always making the same pieces in the same colors day in and day out, which makes it fun for me, too!
The blue is a great color! I think it's the red that is off. It's a little too bright. Maybe something a bit rusty or wine colored? Other than that it looks great!
Good point! Maybe that's what was throwing me off about them, too. Maybe I'll use a brown/black paint to antique them...dirty 'em up a bit! Not only will it add the appearance of a little age and wear to them, but it will also emphasize the beautiful carvings that are on the beads. The whole piece was lacking some detail that I haven't been able to put my finger on, but this just might be the key to achieving the look I'm after.
I have to agree. The red is a bit too bright.
Quote from: sapphireandsage on June 06, 2009, 07:10:08 AM
Good point! Maybe that's what was throwing me off about them, too. Maybe I'll use a brown/black paint to antique them...dirty 'em up a bit! Not only will it add the appearance of a little age and wear to them, but it will also emphasize the beautiful carvings that are on the beads. The whole piece was lacking some detail that I haven't been able to put my finger on, but this just might be the key to achieving the look I'm after.
Ah yes! I think dirtying it up and aging it, making it a little less shiny in general, might do the trick!
Chinese carved beads are now darkened and "aged", and I've added some emerald greean glass beads and a few pearls disc beads:
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace.jpg (updated necklace)
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace2.jpg (updated close-up)
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace-long.jpg (original piece, for comparison)
Whadda ya think?
BIG difference! Especially when I clicked on the last pic (original color)!
I like it much better this time around - great job!
I may be shopping with you soon, as my wife (Blue) is a jewelry fiend. Can't keep her away from it!!!
Looks great.
Thanks, guys! Looking forward to hearing from you, Greenman! :)
I've made up a few more pieces that are similar to the ones previously pictured. I've used the heavier gold-plated brass chain for these, and have switched up the ornamentation a bit. One will show coins only and the other shows metalized/plated beads in addition to the coins.
COINS ONLY:
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace-coinsonly.jpg
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace-coinsonly2.jpg
METAL BEADS:
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace-metalsonly.jpg
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace-metalsonly2.jpg
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace-metalsonly3.jpg
Compared to the design with the colored glass beads and pearls, which do you think you'd prefer, if you were browsing my website?
Is the coin-only version too simple?
The beaded one too ornate?
I'm interested to see if the ladies' viewpoints are similar to the men's on this!
Thanks again for your all your help - I'm very excited about this project!
It could be just me.... I think it depends on who you are aiming this product at. I do like the necks you have pictured without the colored beads/ misc. other metal pieces added the best so far.
I agree however, that most of the pirates would have been wearing stuff they took from someone else, so by and large I think that their pieces were much the same as the other stuff of the day...with the exception of a wider culture base due to their travels. They would have had access to coins and stones from many cultures of the day instead of just the narrow choices that most folkes had due to their tendency to stay mostly in one place. I think if you are working towards a vendors booth type of thing then you have to have a wide range of price points as well as some themed things. Hence the need for silver/white metal plus the typical "pirate" images on top of the pearls, coins and gemstones.
You will have not only pirates but the "locals" at your faire will you not? (like for us, it would be the upper crust of Martinique...) Perhaps you can come up with a way to do some kind of peices that can be added to either at point of purchase the first time or even the following season - that way, you can help generate some repeat business for yourself...
Basic items that can be added to...I hadn't thought of that at all....love it!
Who am I aiming at? Good question! Right now, I don't vend at faires, but attend them for fun. I work out of a web-based store, so I end up with clients from all over the world, with different garb budgets, and different reasons for visiting my online catalog. Some are die-hard authenticity buffs, and some are thrilled to find something that will be more "costume-y". I do tend to come across more folks who want pieces that are authentic-looking these days, though...until Halloween rolls around, anyway. :)
Obviously, portrait pieces are pretty straight-forward to replicate for pleasing the re-enacting crowd, as long as similar materials are available. It is so much easier to document what a member of court would have worn as an accessory than to do the same with someone with a less-portrayed lifestyle, such as the pirate folk, hence my coming to you all for your expertise on that subject. I'm glad to see that the majority of you agree that the things used would have been from various regions, having been taken from ships from all over the area. As far as the use of color and glass/metal baubles go...I had no clue what your advice would be on that one. I'm just so used to working with designs that are very ornate and colorful that I'm having a hard time toning things down to their simpler forms, I guess. ;)
Overall, I do want to offer options for both the clients who don't care so much about what a pirate would have truly worn and are more into the sterotypical pirate garb AND the people who want something that would have been period-appropriate for their alter egos. However, I definitely don't want to offer anything that would be completely off-base historically. Even the things I have available that are not replication designs from portraits are period-inspired and could very well have been used back then, and I want to make sure that any pirate pieces follow that rule of thumb.
I love your site. I have seen many of your pieces being worn at fair. Excellent job.
Have you visited Mel Fishers' Treasure of the Atocha website? The company has posted pictures of the jewelry, chains, coins, etc. that they have for sale that came from the wreck. (get ready to faint at the prices)
These are all genuine pieces thus are the original type of booty the pirates would have stolen from a ship. Perhaps you can use these to copy.
http://www.melfisher.com/treasuresales/store/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=81
~Rowen
oh my! from the site for possible reference posted, the Bezoar stone in gold pendant is TO DIE FOR! Oh I'd love to see something like that as a dupe.
http://www.melfisher.com/treasuresales/store/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=153
I would be on top of purchasing something like that if it weren't *cough* $475,000.00!!!!!!!! I even love the little history on it and what it comes from, what it was used for
Eeeeewww. Gotta say that's the first I've ever heard of the "stone"!
Quote from: sapphireandsage on June 10, 2009, 04:28:00 PM
Eeeeewww. Gotta say that's the first I've ever heard of the "stone"!
yeah me too, but you have to admit... it does sound like a practice that would have been used way back when. And gross as it is..the "stone" itself is rather pretty... or I think so. I want one! :D
I'm with FortuneRose - I want one! But at a slightly :D lower price point!
I looked up Bezoar stone. Ick. So this is a sort of petrified hairball?
I had heard of these 'poison stones' before, but assumed they were just an alchemists' hoax, but according to some sources, depending on the make up of the 'stone' it really will turn colors when exposed to arsenic.
Interesting.
The price tag is staggering.
~Rowen
P.S. The emerald and gold broach is gorgeous. ($1.1 million)
I was actually able to find an oval bezoar stone...kinda costly for one small stone (probably half the size of the one on Mel Fisher's site), but a pretty dark red color. Out of curiosity, what would be your ballpark price point for a miniature version of the design, just in case I decide to give it a try, since there seems to be interest in such a piece? I don't want to get into the expense of gathering materials if what it would be worth to a potential buyer wouldn't cover those costs.
Quote from: sapphireandsage on June 11, 2009, 01:16:40 PM
I was actually able to find an oval bezoar stone...kinda costly for one small stone (probably half the size of the one on Mel Fisher's site), but a pretty dark red color.
Oval/round (like a pebble) or oval flat stone?
~Rowen
Quote from: sapphireandsage on June 10, 2009, 04:28:00 PM
Eeeeewww. Gotta say that's the first I've ever heard of the "stone"!
Actually, I remember reading about them in Harry Potter of all places.
It was oval/round, much like the one used in the extant piece. They didn't list the dimensions for it, but it looked like a smaller-scale specimen.
Quote from: serenamoonsilver on June 11, 2009, 01:34:41 PM
Quote from: sapphireandsage on June 10, 2009, 04:28:00 PM
Eeeeewww. Gotta say that's the first I've ever heard of the "stone"!
Actually, I remember reading about them in Harry Potter of all places.
I knew I'd heard of it, but I couldn't remember where! I don't remember it being mentioned where the stone came from, though. Gross.
Quote from: sapphireandsage on June 09, 2009, 03:21:03 PM
Thanks, guys! Looking forward to hearing from you, Greenman! :)
I've made up a few more pieces that are similar to the ones previously pictured. I've used the heavier gold-plated brass chain for these, and have switched up the ornamentation a bit. One will show coins only and the other shows metalized/plated beads in addition to the coins.
COINS ONLY:
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace-coinsonly.jpg
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace-coinsonly2.jpg
METAL BEADS:
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace-metalsonly.jpg
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace-metalsonly2.jpg
http://sapphireandsage.com/images/piratecoinnecklace-metalsonly3.jpg
Compared to the design with the colored glass beads and pearls, which do you think you'd prefer, if you were browsing my website?
Is the coin-only version too simple?
The beaded one too ornate?
I'm interested to see if the ladies' viewpoints are similar to the men's on this!
Thanks again for your all your help - I'm very excited about this project!
My advice is to varry up to color of the coins. Mix Gold, silver, and bronze to give it a more organic feel. Also perhaps aging or tarnishing some of the coins to give a weathered look?
Excuse me for jumping in here, but I wanted to make an observation and maybe a cost effective way of making a Bezoar stone without buying the more costly ones.
The stone it's self looks almost like red jasper. You could get red jasper beads or stones and make a mock up of a Bezoar stone.
Just a suggestion. ;)
Sounds silly but polymer clay can be made to look like opaque gemstones.
Just to add in some more thoughts (though I wish you had these for sale already ;) )...
I agree with a former post. I like the coin and other metal beads, but I would mix up the coins so they aren't all gold. I would also suggest adding some of the colored beads in with the metallic beads. However, with beads, I would suggest thinking of bone, wood, horn and shell as well as just glass.
Great suggestions - I really, really appreciate them! Thanks to Khaalis being a source of inspiration off-boards, I've decided to tweak the designs a bit by including silver-tone and gold-tone doublettes/pieces of eight...I'm not sure if their finishes are antiqued just yet, but, if they are, they'll add that appearance of age and wear that is just what I'm looking for. Of course, if anyone wishes to have a necklace of their own as pictured is my previous post in the meantime, you can message me privately for pricing. I know that many of you have faires that are already open or will be opening soon, and I don't want to keep you waiting, since I'm not sure when I'll have them added to my website's online catalog.