What I meant to say, when I was very little: “I am a complete if not-yet-fully grown person, and wish to be accorded all the rights and dignities pertaining to human beings, particularly in the realm of independent action.”

What I said: “I self it!”

Do you know the percentage of bridal tiaras that exist in a color other than white, silver, or pearl? Like %.000003, or something equally small. It became quickly clear that since I wanted something green and gold, it was not going to happen unless I bellied up to the bead store and made it myself.

So I went crazy with the gold wire and Swarovski crystal, and pulled out a couple shades of green seed beads I had just lying around. I had some idea that I wanted it to look like an ancient Greek laurel wreath, something the bride of Bacchus might wear (Ariadne, for you fellow Greek myth geeks). I rolled up my sleeves and began to do what is technically known as ‘winging it.’ Here is the result:

With the purple, topaz, and champagne-colored jewelry, it’s stunning and actually much more subtle than I had expected.