So the competition that spurred this whole project is concluded and I received the Queen’s Prize which was a huge thing for me. My final scores were 37/50, 45/50, and 46/50. Very high scores!

The statue I was carving was not even close to complete but I did have enough of it done to show that I was going to do alright with it. Very ambitious for a first carving project and the draping on the dress and face looked very good. I will have to bring it back when it is finished and has its polychrome.

The research paper kind of exceeded “research paper” and was on its way to “thesis” level. The shrine itself was simply superb and the only negative thing that could be said was that it needed to be a bit fuller since the original examples had many layers to them that my shrine was only starting to show. And honestly ~ if that’s the worst thing that could be said about it then I’m doing really well.

I did not experience my usual level of “freak out” right before this competition. I really knew where I stood with all of my projects and there was absolutely no question what-so-ever about this being a period project even if it was something no one had heard of before. Having studied the period examples I was well in my element.

I have some problems with the format and documentation requirements. I don’t think it’s realistic to ask for an in-depth paper about your entry and then give the judges approximately 10 minutes to read it or go over it. I’m a slow reader (I have a higher than average retention rate though) and I’m sure that others have similar issues. I’d like to see the documentation move toward an essay exam format where the documentation consists of answers to specific questions. Then the oral portion can be an elaboration of written answers. Something that can be comprehended and discussed in a limited period of time. I did not however get to discuss this with the other entrants so I might be the only one who feels this way.

Over all I think it was a great experience. I would rather the triathlon be a super project that is defined as one project that included elements from three or more divisions rather than separate projects. Same idea as formerly being able to cross-enter a project. It would make things easier because you could have more judges and just have to present one item.

I’d do it again. I probably will do it again. I’d like to take it to Gulf Wars next spring because that A&S competition is more of a masterwork challenge. Lots of very big projects. Perhaps. Maybe.

So I decided that if I’m going to make these cute and little flowers I was going to have to use the proper silk for the job. I hate when I get myself in so deep that I start to question my ability to even swim! I’ve been staring at the photos so very long and I just knew I had to try some different silks.

So I went online and searched out the filament silks. I would prefer to have ones without twist but really hard to find.

I started with Kreinik because that is where I have purchased all of my silk so far. I have vast quantities of the stuff but it’s just not perfect you know. They did not have anything that I don’t already own.

Access Commodities has what I need but I can’t order it from them directly. They are helpful enough to post a list of US suppliers though. Some appear to be better stocked than others. There is nothing that I can just go to and get the silk though.

I placed an order with the Mad Sampler on Christmas Eve. They shipped it out on Christmas day! I was quite pleased with their prices, low shipping charges and  really fast service. I did not do too well with the colors though as it is really difficult to tell what is what on their website.

I will visit a large shop in MN next week to get more silk and hopefully many color charts for future use. I have started the comparisons and hope to have a perfect idea of what I need by the time I travel next week.

All of the tests are with filament silk. What I need to do is wrap small pieces of parchment (vellum) and a wire with the silk and then form it into petals. It is not quite as easy as it sounds but the end result should shine and have nice even lines to it. There are also petals that are stitched and petals that are just silk over a wire framework and I’m sure that different silks will have different applications with this project. I also intend to use up all of the existing silk as well.

So the results:

Kreinik Soie Perlee which is now Serica = This is a three ply tightly twisted silk of small diameter and what I’ve been using for the stitching parts of the project. I have not liked the look of it laid flat on petals and it is rather a bother to tease out the strands.

Trebizond Twisted Silk Thread = This is also a three ply twisted silk but about twice the bulk of the previous choice. Really easy to tease out the strands and pretty easy to wrap onto the petal and I’m happy with the result. Once the strands are teased out you have an exceptionally wavy thread and each ply consists of about six untwisted threads. The wave is not noticeable once the petal has been wrapped but it seems to create a visual bulk and dimension that adds appeal.

Au Ver A Soie – Soie Ovale = This is a flat untwisted silk and although it is very pretty it is also difficult to work with as the petal wrapping took significantly more time because the silk wasn’t grabbing the parchment like it should when it’s being wrapped. The end result was pretty but time consuming.

I think I will have to complete one whole flower with each of the silks and see how I feel about them at that point! And then I can really go shopping….