Bellenza Materials Guide - Glossary E

Embroidery

- It is referred to an embellishment of a cloth or leather through the use of a needle and thread. The use of embroidery has been around for centuries from family crests to school uniforms. While they are more commonly found in items such as dress shawls and wedding veils. The four main types of techniques of embroidery are: laid and couched work, raised work, running stitch, and counted thread work.

- The laid and couched work employs the use of two threads whereby one thread is set on the surface of a cloth, which a second or couching thread is pierced over the laid thread, often creating a design.

- Raised work is a technique wherein the embroidery produces a three-dimensional effect. This is achieved by inserting the needle and thread over any of the following: wooden mould, cotton wad, wool, paper, cardboard, or felt.

- Both flat run and stitch and counted thread work make use of a single thread that is worked through both sides of a cloth. Besides the use of thread as an embellishment, other objects such as pearls, beads, feathers, or shells can be used as well.

Professional embroidery work is marked by the complexity of the technique, such as those used in Bullion work or laid and couched work using metal threads, while the most common or basic technique used is the running stitch method, as well as several other variations (e.g., cross-stitching).

For an example of raised work, see our Saphia Silk Embroidered Pouch. You may also want to see our Lumeseta Silk Pouch, which has been embellished with metallic threads, specifically Lurex® , to create beautiful silver accents that compliment its medley of masterfully hand painted flowers. They are ideal for holding wedding votive candles or a variety of miniature sized gifts. Read more about using these embroidered organza bags as perfect ideas for packaging perfumed favor sachets. These bags can also be used as drawer or linen closet sachets - perfect for decorating table centerpieces at bridal showers.

Enamel

-This is the result of fusing a vitreous or glass-like substance to a metallic surface such as silver, gold, or copper and other materials like glass or ceramic. There are several types of enamel depending on the method the enamel is actually applied. One example is cloisonné, an ancient technique dating to the Mycenaean and Greek period wherein enamel is placed in small compartments that are formed by outlines of metal bands, usually made of a metallic substance such as gold or silver. The result is an enamel surface that appears as a seamless background surface, while the metallic band becomes prominently exposed. Known for its marble or pearlescent like appearance, enamel is now used to decorate beautiful objects such as jewelry boxes and picture frames in colors such as pink and ivory. It is important to note that enamel has also been developed for a variety of other applications and uses such as nail polish. Please refer to any of our elegant wedding favor place frames and picture frames such as the Pella Zucar Frame, Bianna Pearlescent Frame, and the Frelerina Enamel Frame as examples of the application of enamel in the production of decorative objects for the home.

F

Fabergé

- Carl Fabergé, a master jeweler and goldsmith, was well known for his distinctive and superior creations of decorative Easter eggs and ornate jewelry. Commissioned by Czar Alexander III, one of the finest works of Fabergé was a beautiful egg given as a gift to Czarina Maria Fedorovna that was made entirely of enamel and contained multiple compartments, which housed a small diamond crown and a tiny egg made of ruby. The Czarina was so delighted with the gift that Fabergé was asked to present his exquisite works of art every subsequent year with a unique surprise always placed inside. To this day, the magnificent collections of Fabergé continue to be prized as objets d'art. Refer to our Azuevo Porcelain Keepsake for a keepsake styled in a fashion pioneered by Fabergé.

Fleur-de-lis

- The literal translation in French means “flower of the lily”, since it is thought to closely resemble or stylize the lily flower or iris. Although its origin and meaning continues to be a subject of great debate among many historians, the fleur-de-lis is popularly associated with French heraldry dating as early as the 12th Century. The image can also been found in decorative objects dating as far back as the Mesopotamian times. Today, it can be widely seen as an embellishment or accent on a variety of things ranging from fine jewelry to stationery. Moreover, the symbol has been incorporated as part of the design on wedding gowns and veils, as well as wedding cakes and invitations. Please refer to the Marikei Porcelain Favor Box, which is decorated in an elegant fleur-de-lis motif.

Frieze

- In architecture, frieze is typically understood as a complex decoration or ornamentation on a horizontal band, in addition to a symmetric pattern that may have a repeating series. Throughout history, frieze designs have often portrayed stories or events of great importance on celings and walls. Refer to our Frelerina Enamel Frame for an example of a frieze pattern.

G

Gold Leaf

Referred to as sheets of thin gold foil that are applied to a surface such as wood or plasterwork through the technique of gilding. Our Marcoro Gold Tone Frame is an example of a gold leaf inspired work that makes for a classic and sophisticated wedding place frame. This antique reproduction fits into any wedding color scheme requiring a bold and glistening accent. As a whole, gold is also a very popular color to include in many lavish Indian weddings.

GSM

(Grams Per Square Meter) - A measurement for the weight of paper (i.e., thickness). The higher the number equates to the heavier or thicker the paper. High quality paper will have a higher GSM. For example, our wedding favor tags such as the Soignée Gift Tag, Gianélene Gift Tag, and the Joiebelle Gift Tag use 160 GSM paper. Any of these wedding favor tags can be personalized with the wedding date and names of the bride and groom. The Soignée Gift Tag can be personalized with a third line such as "Happily Ever After".

Jacquard

- a type of woven fabric with an intricate weave pattern distinguished by a pattern or texture. Examples of jacquard fabrics are brocade and damask.

Kwaart

- A colorless glaze used to treat Delftware, thus giving it a glossy finish.

Koufetta

- A sugared almond found in traditional Greek wedding customs. Given in odd numbers, the Koufetta symbolizes the bitterness and sweetness of marriage. The number is odd because it denotes that marriage cannot be divisible (i.e., unbreakable). They were also known to have been served during many ancient Greek banquets. Such sugared almonds, popularly known as Jordan almonds in the US, are now given to wedding guests in a variety of containers such as wedding favor baskets and tulle rounds. References to these types of wedding favors are also known as confetti or bomboniere; especially in Italian weddings. Our La Dolce Vita Petite Basket, Chloëbelle Straw Basket, and Lélancia Oval Box have been utilized as favor containers for such traditional wedding candies. Moreover, almonds have also been given as favors at many wedding anniversary parties, as well as baptismals and communion celebrations - please refer the Bella Tulle Bomboniere made of tulle and lace decorations.

L

Lace

The creation of lace is believed to have replaced embroidery as a way for dressmakers to keep up with changing fashion trends. Using lace provided them with more flexibility in modifying dress designs. Lacemaking was especially prominent in the city of Belgium where various styles and techniques were developed. Some examples of lace:

Alencon Lace – A bridal lace where the background mainly consists of flowers and swags that are reembroidered along the edges with cording. Beading can also be attached onto the lace itself or onto the dress once the lace has been attached. Alencon lace is commonly used in bridal gowns and women’s lingerie.

Battenburg Lace – This is a type of lace characterized by a loop pattern that has been stitched into a strip of fabric then connected by a thread. Battenburg lace can be found in items such as wedding parasols, tablecloth, Victorian-style fans, and bed lines.

Eyelet – A lace that is described as having perforated holes that have been embroidered around the edges. It is distinctive for its decorative edges, which can be either single sided or double sided. This type of lace is usually made of cotton material.

Princess Lace – This type of lace or net is primarily used in wedding veils, mantillas, and baptismal gowns.

Renaissance Lace – A type of lace that is also referred to as Brussels Lace or Ribbon Lace, which is the most widely, manufactured type of lace because of its strong construction. It is commonly used in tablecloth linen, curtains, runners, placemats, napkins, and doilies.

Rosepoint Lace – It is considered the most delicate and valuable of all laces where the design usually features flowers like roses. This kind of lace is made by the use of a needle whereby the lacemaker begins with a pattern first drawn on paper. Next, the lacemaker uses a thick piece of thread to follow the pattern and then finishes off with a finer set of threads to create a floral design (i.e., medallion).
For an example of eyelet lace, please refer to the Kaibeya Mini Tote Bag. A unique tulle wedding favor bag decorated with beautiful lace and a dainty beaded handle completed with a pearl enclosure. This handmade wedding favor bag is ideal for holding miniature soaps, a variety of edible treats, or small candy tins. It is also a popular purse favor for bridal showers and garden themed weddings. Find more favor ideas by reading these articles: bridal or wedding shower favors and garden wedding favors.

Laque burgauté

- also called Lac Burgauté. It is characterized as the technique of decorating lacquered objects such as vases, jewelry boxes, and serving trays with inlaid pieces of shells of the iridescent blue-green shell of the sea-ear (Haliotis), and combining them with gold and silver accents.

Limoges

It is known as a town in central France specializing in artistic creations of painted enamelware and porcelain. Limoges boxes are available in an endless array of shapes and styles such as whimsical eggs, hearts, or hatboxes. Please refer to any of our beautiful porcelain favor keepsake holders such as the Marikei Porcelain Favor Box, Azuevo Porcelain Egg, Emélie Footed Box, and the Fiovalé Porcelain Keepsake Egg as examples.