Cake Design News: Bringing Art Home: Bead Garland

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While walking through the Robert Lehman Collection, a large circular gallery tucked away in the back of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I stumbled upon a painting that caught my eye. The painting, a depiction of a goldsmith in his shop, dates back to 1449 and was attributed to the Netherlandish painter Petrus Christus. The Metropolitan Museum hails it as "one of the most famous masterpieces of Northern Renaissance art" and a shining illustration of a craftsman in his place of work. Despite this, I found my eye gliding over the three central figures of the image to the assortment of wares displayed on the goldsmith's shelf.

Above image: A Goldsmith in His Shop, Possibly Saint Eligius, 1449, Petrus Christus. Oil on wood. From the Robert Lehman Collection, the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The small collection of objects — bits of naturalia, precious metals and gems — looked positively festive amongst the warm hues of the painting. I was especially struck by the charming string of glass beads hung from one of the goldsmith's shelves. Today's Bringing Art Home is directly inspired by this string of beads: a holiday garland made from glazed ceramic beads. I've made all sorts of garlands — ones made of popcorn, cranberries or bits of tinsel — but it never occurred to me to use something as beautiful or luxurious as glass or ceramic. The results are both beautiful and incredibly easy to achieve. For full directions, continue after the jump! — Max