Gothic Cameo Brooch

I got crafty and tackled my January recession challenge this weekend. I am a cameo nut and I’ve been searching for a cameo brooch in the thrift stores for ages. I’ve also become lately enamored of moody, gothic-inspired clothing. And you KNOW I love feathers. I combined all three elements in my creation.

Ideally, I would have made this brooch with only the things I had on hand (like Deborah-Lee)…but I didn’t have a cameo or any black feathers, so I bought those items, along with some black felt, at Michael’s. I already owned the black ribbon, brooch backs, glue gun, and glue.

First, I traced the cameo’s oval onto black felt and cut out the shape. Then, I glued two of the fluffiest feathers to the back of the cameo face. Next, I cut four pieces of ribbon and doubled them over (joining them in the center) and secured them with glue. I later stacked the ribbon and sewed them together. (Alligator clips were handy for holding the ribbons together as the glue dried and as I sewed the stack.) Finally, I sandwiched it all together between the cameo and felt and glued the pin onto the back.


Don’t forget to send me a link to or a picture of your own brooches!