Spellbound 2014 Chatelaine Swap

 I joined one swap for Spellbound 2014.  I didn't intend to but when the swap was for a chatelaine, and the accompanying photo made me swoon, I jumped on board.  First I had to find a suitable vintage, small mesh purse.  Thank you eBay and etsy!!!  Then I picked my swap partner, Teresa Young who was in France on vacation at the time.  I had to use that French charm I got last year at The French General.  Plus as many rhinestones and sparkles as I could cram on. 

 The chain is around 50" long so that it can go over the neck like a messenger bag strap.  I worked on this on/off for weeks.  In fact I totally revised the color scheme at one point when I realized the old milkglass beads I wanted to use were too large for the scale of the small purse. 

 You know that packaging for swaps is important.  It really adds to the experience to have a pretty presentation.  The chatelaine will be tucked into this drawstring pouch. 

Then, the whole mess goes into this altered book box.  I followed a design from A Gilded Life Stash Society (a private blog) for the front of the box.  I used fabric, paper, lace, buttons and a jeweled applique from Stash kits.  By now Teresa and I will have exchanged our purses.  I hope she will like this and I already know that what she made for me will be fabulous, because, well, it's from Teresa!