The Littlest Christmas Angel - My Entry in Vintaj's Victorian Christmas Challenge

One last piece of Christmas business to attend to, my entry in Vintaj's December challenge, the theme of which is "Victorian Christmas."  

I was on the Vintaj website yesterday, looking for the name of a filigree piece I was working with, and decided to click on the December challenge link and see what the theme was.   When I saw Victorian Christmas, well, you know I had to enter, since I am ALL about Vintage Victorian!  

I have had these little angel images for two years.  I originally purchased them to make some special Christmas ornaments to give as gifts that year, but couldn't bring myself to use them.   They have been patiently waiting for me in a file folder on my laptop ever since.  When I realized the deadline to enter was noon today, I frantically started searching for something to use and remembered the angel file.

The angels in this collection are all children, and are all dressed in Winter white. The graphics are gorgeous and feature Winter white and little bursts of color:  Evergreen, baby pink and sky blue.

The images evoke a range of emotions: Delight and joy at the innocence of the children and the magic of Christmas past; but also sadness to realize the child has wings, and so has departed this Earthly life.  These images have special meaning for me, as my sister lost her own little twin angels a few hours after they were born in the Summer of 1989.  

I wanted to highlight the Winter white theme, and added Czech and Chinese crystal in various shapes and finishes to symbolize glittering snowflakes.

I created bead caps from vintage rhinestone button frames given to me by my friend Lucia Hsu. I molded them around 12mm cushion cut Czech glass AB crystal rounds, and topped them with Vintaj Foliage and Vintaj Filigree Bead Caps.  I created the chain by linking Vintaj Blossoming Duet Fastenables, to which I glued Swarovski AB crystal flatbacks; and more bead stations made with the filigree and foliage bead caps.  I created the pendant bail from Vintaj Fanned Trellis Filigree and a 15mm jump ring. I finished the piece with a length of Vintaj Ornate Chain and Lobster claw clasp.

Now, I haven't heard that the editors at Vintaj have actually accepted my entry.  They have to look at how much Vintaj is used and that sort of thing.  I will be really embarrassed if they don't include it in this month's entry pool, won't I?