Jewels For the Blood Countess Elizabeth Bathory

Countess Elizabeth Báthory (7 August 1560 – 21 August 1614) was a countess from the renowned Báthory family of Hungarian nobility. Although in modern times she has been labelled the most prolific female serial killer in history, her guilt is debated. She is nevertheless remembered as the "Blood Countess" or "Blood Queen". Bathory and four servants were accused of torturing and killing hundreds of girls between 1585 -1610. One witness claimed there were over 650 victims, though the number for which her accomplices were convicted was 80. Bathory herself was neither tried nor convicted. However, she was imprisoned in the Csejte Castle until her death in 1614. Later writings about the case have led to legendary accounts of the Countess bathing in the blood of virgins to retain her youthful beauty but witness statements from the trial dispute this, and it seems likely that Bathory just enjoyed torturing her victims for her own pleasure.

FOR THIS SWAP you will make 1 somewhat elaborate and unique necklace for 1 partner. It should be inspired by Elizabeth Bathory, the infamous ''Blood Countess'' and be something that you can imagine her wearing whilst she carried out her dark deeds.

THE NECKLACE can be made from a combination of beads and chain, different style chains, layers of chains, a mixture of different glass beads, nuggets, dark pearls, filigree, red crystals, even up-cycled vintage necklaces etc.

THE PENDANT part of the necklace should be around 2 or 3 inches including any dangly bits. May be incorporate red crystals to represent blood droplets? A blood red cabochon? A framed bloody image of Bathory or one of her victims under a clear cabochon? Or even a picture of her first victim with a momento of her dark deed sealed under glass in a reliquary type locket?

Please check your partners profile for any dislikes and preferred necklace length, although 18'' is usually OK for most people.

SWAP REQUIREMENT: You MUST spend time and effort creating a necklace your partner will be proud to wear. You do not need to use expensive supplies but make it special. DO NOT use wooden or plastic kiddie-craft type beads. DO NOT just hang a pendant on a ball chain, thong or ribbon. This is not that kind of swap and you WILL be rated a 3 if you do so as you will not have met the swap requirements.

There is lots of information about Elizabeth Bathory on the internet. Just google ''Elizabeth Bathory'' or ''Blood Countess'' for info and images. You could even watch the film ''Bathory: Countess of Blood'' starring Anna Friel as a resource for costume and jewellery inspiration. Also check out handmade jewellery on flickr and etsy.com

Please read the swap description thoroughly to make sure you understand what this swap involves.

Any questions or concerns please feel free to ask. I'm here to help.