Month: November 2022

The founding fathers of the United States adopted the eagle as a symbol for freedom, stamina, power and higher objective, applying it to the first official seal representing the new country. It instantly became a favored motif on home furnishings from the late 18th century through the present. Its adaptability created the majestic eagle in the home in both formal and informal settings, so wooden eagle carvings started to adorn tables, mirrors and pediments in residences.

The Eagle Soars

On precisely the exact same day that the United States declared its independence as a country, July 4, 1776, the first Continental Congress appointed a three-man committee, consisting of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, to design a seal for the new country. Their design was not accepted, nor was the layout of another committee appointed in 1780. Ultimately, in 1782, a third committee presented a layout featuring an eagle in the crest, and Charles Thompson created a fourth layout that combined elements of all three earlier ideas, together with the eagle front and center. This version, with some revisions by William Barton has been approved in June of 1782, which instantly made its way to decor and furnishings items in the house.

Symbolic Message of the Eagle

The option of the eagle has been an suitable emblem for its fledgling country, since this bird had been previously connected with jurisdiction, power and governments. The Greek god Zeus and the Roman god Jupiter, the most significant leaders of the gods, were symbolized by the eagle. Thompson’s last version of the great seal featured a bald eagle, considered at the time to have a range confined to North America. Eagles were embroidered onto quilts, etched onto tea urns and added to paintings, as a symbol of freedom and strength, as noted by President John F. Kennedy in his letter to the National Audubon Society in 1961, “The fierce beauty and proud independence of the great bird aptly reflects the strength and independence of America.”

Following the Revolutionary War

The Revolutionary War ended in 1783, and the brand new country adopted logos of unity, in public areas and in personal spaces. The easy, elegant form of the eagle became the most dominant emblem in the layouts. The eagle had been recognized as a symbol of military success. A post-war group formed by Continental and French officers — the Society of the Cincinnati — adopted it as their symbol. Named after the Roman warrior Cincinnatus, who rejected a lifestyle of power and returned to simple farm living in times of peace, this group seen the eagle as blending references into the power of Jupiter and the nature of Cincinnatus.

Refining Eagle Designs

Early versions of this eagle symbol depicted an immature, rather awkward bird with a smaller wingspan. In later interpretations the eagle developed into a more majestic, imperialistic beast having a wide, powerful wingspan. Part of this eagle’s continuing popularity stems from its capacity to embellish the formal gilded wood furniture layouts as effectively as a humble butter stamp in a colonial kitchen. Wherever it appears, the eagle conveys a message of patriotism, strength and unity.

Diverse Cultural References

Along with its particular significance in the United States, the eagle often seems as a design theme in different nations. As an example, the day following his coronation in 1804, Napoleon ordered an eagle secured to the peak of every flag team in his army as a symbol of success. The eagle is connected to the sun in several cultures like those of the ancient Aztecs and the Native American peoples of North America. Aristotle and Pliny wrote of the eagle being the only animal capable of gazing directly into the sun. The writers of early bestiaries explained eagles as having the power of eternal youth. Other varied cultures, including those of Rome, Wales, Sumer and Syria associate eagles with death as well as the journeys of souls.

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Give an old, uninteresting chandelier a fresh new look by dressing it up with beads. Translucent glass beads enable the light to shine through for extra sparkle. If using clear or translucent beads, pair them with UV-resistant monofilament fishing line to create permanent beaded chandelier strands. Peruse the jewelry department at your local craft shop to find an abundance of beads and jewelry findings, perfect for creating your own chandelier adornments. Some shops sell pre-made strands of beads and baubles; just add rings or hooks to secure them to your chandelier.

Arcs of Elegance

To emulate the elegance of a crystal chandelier without the crystals, hang arcing strands clear glass beads from the arms of this chandelier on around the surface, using jump rings and jewelry hooks to secure the strands to the chandelier string or part of their steel beneath the individual light sockets. Alternate the bead size on every strand, using large beads close to the bottom, smaller ones at the top, for extra dimension. Insert a wine- or champagne-inspired appeal to a chandelier utilizing translucent glass beads in shades of crimson, ginger or a pale pink. Mix in some synthetic grape leaves, connected to the chandelier arms with floral wire, for extra effect. For another take on elegance, opt for pearl-style opalescent beads in shades of white or silver, pink or blue onto a chandelier of an identical color. Keep all beads and embellishments away in the light bulbs, sockets and electric connections for security.

Colors of Design

For a candelabra-style chandelier with a small shade over every light, jazz up the shades with their particular strands of beads. Use several bracelet-length strands of clear glass-sphere beads on each shade, attaching one end of every strand several inches in the other end all along the underside rim of a shade so the strands create gentle, limp arcs. Attach small earring hooks or jump rings to the conclusion of every strand to poke it through a cloth or paper shade, or drill tiny holes across the bottom rims of metal shades after first removing the shades in the chandelier. Produce ombre-style arcs using light and dark translucent beads at the same strands, like wine through pale pink or clear. For a fringe effect, attach a few glass beads to a mind pin at one end, a French earring hook at the other, hooking up the dangling adornments each inch or so, equally spaced around every shade.

The Rainbow Room

Turn a chandelier — even a non-functioning one — to your vibrant ceiling accessory for a child’s or teen’s room utilizing metallic Mardi-Gras-style beaded necklaces. Snip each loop once to flip a necklace to a strand; subsequently apply a dab of hot glue to the arm of a chandelier, just below the light socket area. Wrap the strand of beads tightly around the chandelier arm, then working your way up the chandelier. Add more hot glue every few inches and again at the conclusion of every strand. Create a rainbow effect by working your way up every chandelier arm with a string of red, then orange, then yellow, on through the spectrum, or create stripes using two of the very same colors repeatedly up every arm of this chandelier. Wrap the broader area, where the chandelier arms meet, with beads too. For an ocean- or sky-inspired room, then wrap on the chandelier with varying shades of blue, like a sea-green strand for water.

Natural Charm

Supply a chandelier a nature-inspired makeover using beads made of wood, seed pods or nuts. Beads made of coconut shell, betel nut or kukui nut reveal patterns reminiscent of animal prints to get an exotic touch. Wrap the chandelier arms tightly with strands of small, round beads to hide the metal frame. Use strands of wooden or shell beads to make arcs between the arms and the top of the chandelier, then selecting a few bigger coordinating beads to make earring-style dangling decorations for every strand.

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