I included this photo to show the original samples that were submitted to Beadwork for this pattern. The far left version was the second one I made, but it quickly became part of the inspiration for the project’s title, Pharoah’s Finery.
I was watching this great show on archaeology & ancient Egypt’s Valley of the Kings when I began beading it, and the colors from their jewelry and artwork completely inspired me! I love how even the Rulla beads kind of look like Eqyptian faiance :)
So I quickly gathered up supplies in an Egyptian-inspired palette, then held the pyramid beads and listened to the show as I closed my eyes and visualized… I could see her: a gorgeous tawny-skinned beauty with piercing dark green eyes, rimmed in blackest coal eyeliner, dressed in an airy gauze linen dress,and dripping with jewels. She climbs out of the tented pole chair, and takes the hand of her eunuch for balance as she daintily steps aboard a long low boat & positions herself on a mountain of pillows. Her servants immediately begin to cool her under the awning by waving 4 feathered fans, as another sets a tray of refreshment nearby and pours a goblet of wine…and the poles push the boat from the shore.
“Your boat glides slowly, smoothly along the papyrus banks of the Nile, fingers lazily dragging the water’s surface. Your attendants cool you with a fans of ostrich feathers. Your gauzy dress flutters lightly with the breeze as you recline on the bolster pillows. You are a queen of Egypt, one of the Pharoah’s favorites, dripping in the jeweled gifts he’s bestowed on you - and riding the waters of the river your people hold sacred..."
And that’s the description I sent in with the project when I submitted it! :) It was a bit long for publication, so it was edited down, but the spirit of what I saw in my mind’s eye was there :)