SNA
SI
(Fairy Thread)
A New Adventure
in Irish Lace and Dance
NEW DESIGNS ADDED 2006!
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SNA
SI NEW DESIGNS ADDED 2006! |
| THE INSPIRATION |  |
My appreciation of my Irish heritage received an unprecedented shot of inspiration with the Interval Irish Dance at the 1994 Eurovision Contest in Dublin, and I was not alone. This 'revolution' of artistic expression, with its unique form of Irish Dance, is still called the seven minutes that changed the Irish World. Ever since, I have been captivated by the dance and thrilled by its resurgence among Irish people here in Ireland and in America, as well as its discovery in other, unexpected countries across the world, such as Germany, South Africa and even Russia.
 | I felt that there had to be a place for Irish Celtic Lace in this new world of Irish artistic creation. The concurrent development of new metallic and textured threads and the fashion for embellishment with crystal beads and sparkling accents, coupled with the simple, elegant design in the Irish dance show costumes led to my conceiving how Bobbin Lace could embellish dance costumes. |
| A growing 'new style' in my work which had attracted lacemakers everywhere, caught the eye of my dear friend Olive Hurley, world renowned Irish Dance teacher, and led to the linking of our two worlds of creation, lace and dance. Through her, I have been able to marry these two great traditional Irish art forms and embark on the exciting new adventure I have named 'Sna Si' - 'Fairy Threads.' |
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THE BEGINNING
The first Irish Dance costumes decorated with handmade Irish Celtic Bobbin lace were born, as the class costume of 2002 and in 2003 for the Olive Hurley School of Irish Dance. We used rich black velvet with white satin for the skirt lining and pleat detailing. The design of the lace was based on the Celtic birthsign emblem of the butterfly and on the eternal heart, one of the key elements of Celtic interlace, worked in white metallic thread with accents of silver and embellished with Swarovski crystals. The result achieved is one with strong stage impact as well as a distinctive simplicity often lost today in costume design.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE GALLERY
This class costume design had to be created very swiftly and could not be too complex but it has given us as lacemakers an invaluable opportunity to begin creating lace for Irish dance; the team of lacemakers have gained both pleasure and learning from the exercise. Our ambition now with 'Sna Si' is to move on to the next level and create individual custom designed costumes for male and female dancers, for the stage as well as for the feis world.
SNA SI (FAIRY THREADS)
Now
these unique, one-of-a-kind designs in Bobbin Lace are available for solo dance
dresses. Every design is made for the individual and never repeated exactly, so
no-one else will have the same dress.
Designs are rooted in the Irish Celtic
tradition. The lace itself can be transfered from dress to dress, so has the advantage
of being used forever. Traditional handmade Irish Bobbin Lace is now available
to dancers all over the world.
To see one of the latest commissions, created for Elizabeth Smyth from Canada, summer 2006 CLICK HERE
The
brief for this dress was to use satin fabrics in teal, black, gold and lime, and
to include unicorns and sun motifs, which occur in the family crest. Coupled with
the rainbow shades of the lace threads, all this combined to make a truly unique
heirloom dance dess. May it bring Elizabeth much good Irish luck when she wears
it!
THE
PROCESS
Each
dancer will work with me to decide on the colour of fabric and lace. Depending
on the amount of lace ordered the dress will be completed within three to four
months. Dresses will be made to individual measurements.
Lace can be ordered separately as well as on a dress.
THE
COST FOR DRESSES
A
non-refundable deposit of 100 euros will be required before the design is begun.
Each dress will be individually priced and agreed upon before production. Prices
range from approximately 1200 euros to 2000 euros. Dollars and sterling will be
converted at the exchange rate at the time of the order. Fifty percent of payment
will be required before production begins, and the balance before delivery. Once
the design is agreed there can be no changes or alterations without incurring
an extra charge. .
COSTUMES FOR BOYS AND MEN
John
Peters
Olive Hurley School of Irish Dancing, June 2003
Male
dancers have been improvising their costumes since most are wearing pants now
instead of the traditional kilts. Celtic designs in Bobbin Lace on shirts, pants
and cummerbunds, with accent of crystal beads and embellishments where appropriate,
will add a finished touch and enhance the look of the male costume whether for
competition or show. A non-refundable deposit of 100 euros will be required before the design is begun. The amount of lace will be individually priced and agreed upon before production. Prices range from approximately 200 euros to 500 euros. Dollars and Sterling will be converted at the exchange rate at the time of the order. Fifty percent of payment will be required before production begins, and the balance before delivery. Once the design is agreed there can be no changes or alterations without incurring an extra charge. |  |
All designs will remain the property of Ann Margaret Keller and may not be reproduced.
Lace may also be ordered for other apparel such as wedding dresses and occasion gowns.
Anyone interested in further information about the work please email me - ann@annmargaretkeller.com
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Many thanks
to Olive Hurley for
the use of the lovely Irish dance music "King of the Faires"
from
her Step by Step Irish Dancing CD, for more information CLICK
HERE
