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Custom Tiara by Claudia Folts
Seminars - Description Details for

Jeweled Tiaras
Hand-Wired, with Swarovski® Rhinestones

Current Format: 6 hours
2012 Availability:
TBA
Return to Seminar Descriptions.

You know the ones - those beautiful Crystal Tiaras that look like real diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, and make those ready-made versions turn pale in comparison!

This is the headpiece that is mandatory for nearly every ballet Princess and Queen role ever staged, and the headpiece wanted and needed by every Bride getting ready to walk the aisle. These are also the Tiaras that can cost tens and even hundreds of dollars more than those ready-made versions!


We offer multiple options for this course, with different levels of complexity and difficulty. In general, the higher the 'level', the more challenging the design is to construct - the frames (the underlying shape) become more complex, as does the arrangement and variety of colors, types, shapes, and sizes of rhinestones.

Hand-wiring a tiara is labor-intensive, and can be very time-consuming. If you've never done one before, we highly suggest you choose one of the Level-1 - Basic Techniques options to learn the skills and techniques, and move on from there.
But Please Note: for Level-2 and above, you must have excellent manual dexterity to handle the intricate designs.


All students will create a hand-wired tiara 'from the ground up' - this class does not use pre-shaped or ready-made tiara forms. However if you insist, you can pay extra and we will provide you with a 'ready-made' form from which to work (ie, we'll make it for you).

For all Levels and Options: We provide all the rhinestones (Swarovski® and Czech, in appropriate sizes, types, shapes, and colors), as well as the wiring and other materials needed to create your Tiara, as appropriate for the design you select. 

For all Levels and Options: Although you will 'hand-wire' your tiara in this class, we will also show you how to design and make your own 'jig' - a reusable pattern for wiring the basic tiara shape (when making several tiaras, a 'jig' can help make the wiring process much faster and simpler, and provide a more consistent size and shape). The jig instructions are easily adaptable to many tiara shapes and designs.

And by the way, although we've 'named' our various designs, it's just so we can keep track of the Level and shape. Any of these Tiara designs can be used for nearly any role you're costuming for. So don't let the design-name fool you, you should make your choices based on the design's complexity and difficulty, and your own requirements.

Also, you might be surprised how many directors would love to wear their own Tiara on Performance Night! We've had several commissioned for just such an occasion!

Our options and choices for the 2011 Seminar Session include:


Level-1 - Basic Techniques
Level-1 is intended for the student who has never hand-wired a tiara, and wants to learn the underlying skills and techniques required. Although these are our easiest and simplest designs, your finished tiara will be perfectly suitable for any Queen or Princess! And you will have learned everything you need to create more advanced designs, or add or change the colors to suit different roles.

Level-1, Option 1 - 'Princess'
Basic Jeweled Tiara, by Claudia Folts

This is our simplest, most 'basic' design. But don't be mis-led by the word 'basic' - it's a very gorgeous tiara, and one of our most popular designs!

Originally created by Kellie Sheehan of NYCB's costume shop in pale-pink and green, and taught in our first-ever Tiara class, we've made a few alterations ourselves.

This Tiara design is offered with either Crystal or Crystal AB stones. (Unfortunately, the original design colors are not an option, since the larger stones are not currently available in those colors.)


Level-1, Option 2 - 'Arabian'
Arabian Jeweled Tiara, by Claudia Folts

We originally created this design for 'Arabian' from "The Nutcracker", but it works just as well for many other ballets - Le Corsair, Raymonda, contempory, and anywhere else a 'classically exotic' design is called for.

You will have a choice of several color combinations, including Topaz, Fuschia, and Amethyst, or Siam, Aqua, and Amethyst, or Sapphire, Amethyst, and Emerald.




Level-2 - Advanced Techniques
Level-2 is intended for the student who has already taken our Level-1 "Basic Techniques" class and wants to increase their skill-level, or who is able to stay focused and work fast. The designs are more complex, with a more complicated frame, and additional rhinestones, shapes, sizes, colors, and wiring. In other words, a more advanced and time-consuming project! You'll have several combinations to choose from, depending on your requirements.

Level-2, Option 1 - 'Classic'
Sugar Plum Tiara, by Claudia Folts

With it's 'traditionally royal' design and 'drop-down' forehead piece, our 'Classic' Tiara brings just a touch of hauteur with a bit of whimsy to any Princess.

The Tiara can be constructed with Crystal or Crystal AB stones, or in several traditional ballet color combinations, including Crystal and Light Rose, or Crystal and Rose, or Crystal AB and Light Rose, or Crystal AB and Rose, or Crystal AB and Light Colorado Topaz, or Light Rose and Light Colorado Topaz.


Level-2, Option 2 - 'Sugar Plum'
Sugar Plum Jeweled Tiara, by Christine Rebich

This very gorgeous and very sophisticated 'Sugar Plum' concept was designed by Ms. Christine Rebich, of Tutu.Com. The design is light and airy, with a real sense of maturity and authority.

Your color options will be just Crystal, or just Crystal AB, or Crystal AB with light blues and light pinks ('Sugar Plum' variation).


Level-2, Option 3 - 'Snow Queen'
Snow Queen Tiara, by Claudia Folts

She's a Queen, she's timeless, she rules with intelligence, kindness, and benevolence - and our 'Snow Queen' Tiara delivers it all.

Although similar in appearance to our much simpler 'Snow Queen Kit', this Tiara is much more complicated and fully hand-wired (ie, no banded stones allowed!).

The Tiara can be constructed in several 'Snow Queen'-type variations, including Crystal, or Crystal AB, or Crystal and Light Sapphire, or Crystal AB and Light Sapphire.


Level-2, Option 4 - 'Black Swan'   (available in Charlotte only)
Black Swan Jeweled Tiara, by Claudia Folts

The 'Black Swan' ('Odile') gets to wear a 'real' Jeweled Tiara. Our design is 'knock-em-dead', built around Jet and Crystal Dorado (gold) rhinestones.




Level-3 - More-Advanced Techniques   (available in Charlotte only)
Level-3 is intended for the student who has already taken our Level-1 "Basic Techniques" or Level-2 "Advanced Techniques" class.

These designs are yet-another step-up in complexity and difficulty, so you MUST be able to stay focused, work fast, and have a VERY high level of manual dexterity!


Level-3, Option 1 - 'Firebird'   (available in Charlotte only)
Firebird Jeweled Tiara, by Claudia Folts

Stravinsky's "The Firebird" - classic story, wonderful ballet, usually lavishly costumed. And yes, the image could be so much better, but this is a truly stunning Tiara. We suggest caution though - this design can be very powerful.

You will create this Tiara in 'flame' colors - reds, Fuschia, and Topaz.


Level-3, Option 2 - 'Aurora's Wedding'   (available in Charlotte only)

"The Sleeping Beauty" Act III - 'The Wedding'. The music and the costuming are lush with formality, royalty, pomp, grandeur, and romance. And our version of Aurora's tiara is all of that!

This design is created in Crystal with Lt Colorado Topaz, or in Crystal AB with Lt Colorado Topaz.




Level-4 - Extra-Advanced Techniques   (available in Charlotte only)
Level-4 Tiaras are SERIOUSLY More Complicated than any other designs we offer, with very advanced frames, and a very sophisticated mix of colors and shapes. You really MUST have prior tiara-making experience, be able to stay very focused and work very fast, and your manual dexterity MUST be 'OFF-THE-CHARTS' !

Level-4, Option 1   (available in Charlotte only)
Ver-Advanced Tiara, by Jessica Alford

We currently offer only one Tiara design at this level. But you will have several color-combination choices.

This Tiara was designed by Ms. Jessi Alford right here at Tutu.Com. The Tiara is stunning - the picture does not even come close to the real thing!

Your color choices include Light Rose and Black Diamond, or Reds and Topaz (for a 'Firebird' look), or Crystal AB and Light Sapphire (for a 'Snow Queen' look), or Light Rose and Light Colorado Topaz (for a 'Sugar Plum' look).




Level-X - Design Your Own   (available in Charlotte only)
Students will design and create their own Tiara. You MUST have already taken our Level-1 "Basic Techniques" or Level-2 "Advanced Techniques" class, because you REALLY need to know what you're doing. You will be required to submit a detailed drawing in advance, complete with color choices and stone shapes and sizes. (We do reserve the right to substitute rhinestones and/or modify your design if needed to make it workable).

Note - VERY IMPORTANT!: This is an intense and time-consuming process for both you and us! Our deadlines for submission are NOT negotiable. If you want to take this Option, you MUST sign up early. We MUST have enough time to get the needed materials and test the veracity of your design. And, YOU must be responsible for the details of YOUR design - we can't and won't do it for you!

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