I really need to get back to writing my history-inspired posts! Here’s a throwback one in honor of the Chinese New Year. One of my favorite badass royal ladies was Empress Wu, as she’s known now. When she ruled China in the 7th century, she used the name Emperor Shensheng (spelling may vary), making her the only female ruler of China to use the male title of “emperor.” In 2007 and 2008, I had a fun time telling her story:
Three years after those posts, I unveiled my jewelry tribute to Wu: an 18K-gold dragon ring with diamond eyes and a spinning lapis lazuli globe in its mouth.
Click to see this one-of-a-kind piece on my website.
Here is how the ring looks on …
Seen on model Tina J.
… and here it is in motion.
Click to see how they look on model Tina J.
In the December 2011 post I did about the earrings, I showed photos of the whole design process, taking you from from initial sketch, to wax model, to metal just out of casting, to the final product.
Click here to see the dragon earrings as a work-in-progress.
By the way, this is the Year of the Sheep (or Goat) — meaning it’s my year! If we go with goat, I’m a double zodiac goat, because I’m also a Capricorn. Hmmm! Does that make me one of those screaming goats that are so popular in commercials lately?
This is my favorite screaming-goat ad because I like the way Rick the goat’s colleague, Kelly, is ready to kick some goat butt.
Happy New Year!