I am sorry that I am a bit late to the party. I tried all day long to write the post that I felt called to share, but the subject is just too hard, the emotions too raw. And because of that, the creative mojo was blocked. It will have to wait for another day.
But in thinking of memories and thanks, and specifically memory jewelry, I realized that I actually make a lot of pieces that are inspired by memories.
My cousin Jane has been asking me to make jewelry for her for the past two years or so. She gave me her Nana's charm bracelet-turned-necklace filled with all manner of solid gold charms from her travels around the world. I created special charm necklaces for four of Jane's nieces bridging the past to the future.
Jane also gave me a bag filled with treasures that belonged to her mother, Elsie, and asked that I use some of them to create a memory necklace for her. She has a job that takes her all over the world. She is a lawyer so her tastes are very traditional, streamlined and contemporary. But these pieces from her mother were traditional but far from contemporary. So the challenge was to make something that honored her mother's memory but translated into a more contemporary design.
Aunt Elsie passed away when she was just 50 years old. My cousin Jane and I were about 12.
I didn't really know my Aunt Elsie very well. Before we moved here, I would only see her at major holidays when we would travel from Crystal, MN to Stevens Point, WI to hunt Easter eggs or have a Christmas potluck. I still make her Hot Shrimp Dip every Easter and think of her. Like all my aunts, I recall that Aunt Elsie always looked put together. Her jewelry was always very traditional and very simple. Cameos, stick pins and pearls.
Included in this bag of treasures were some religious medallions as well as Elsie's vintage crystal rosary. I told Jane that I wouldn't cut apart the rosary. The crystals are cuts that are not produced anymore, and even if she doesn't use the rosary as an intended prayer tool, it was a special piece. But I did cut the initial stick pin down to make it into a special dangle alone with a Mary medallion.
None of these pieces that I incorporated were valuable outside of the memories they inspired. If they had been signed or were made of more precious materials, I would not have used them or altered them. Since they were merely fashion jewelry items, I did change them a bit. I removed the gold circle from around the cameo pin since the gold plated metal was rubbed off and the metal was a bit cracked, and I cut off the pin backing on the circle ivy and faux pearl pin and I had to reglue a loose pearl back in its setting.
Connecting items like this is the puzzle. Finding just the right placement and making them balanced is the challenge. Often there are holes that can be used for putting it all together. To keep with the circle theme I found a few pieces that had that vintage feel, like the rhinestone oval that is a new item which looks perfectly at home in this piece and echoes the round shapes.
Connecting items like this is the puzzle. Finding just the right placement and making them balanced is the challenge. Often there are holes that can be used for putting it all together. To keep with the circle theme I found a few pieces that had that vintage feel, like the rhinestone oval that is a new item which looks perfectly at home in this piece and echoes the round shapes.
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| {Full Circle} |
A few strands of pearls that remind me of what every well dressed housewife of the 60s would wear completes the back. And to finish it off I found a beautiful crown shaped toggle.
I met Jane and her husband Joe at a local bistro for lunch right after Thanksgiving. When I presented this necklace to Jane she gasped. As I shared all the little details there were tears in her eyes. The eclectic design is a departure for Jane's style but I could really see that she loved it and was excited to wear it. It will be a special reminder of her mother, my Aunt Elsie. I can picture Jane wearing this when she travels around the world this year as a memory that her mother is always with her, and the charms will be a talisman to bring her mother into her life with every touch.
Thank you, Jane, for trusting me to create this necklace for you to honor the memory of your mom, and my aunt, Elsie.
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Thank you, Miss Lori of Pretty Things for the inspiration for the Memories & Thanks blog hop.
Please go and visit the rest of the participants.
Hostess, Lori Anderson Pretty Things
Adlinah Kamsir Dream Struck Designs
Aimee Biondolillo Aimee's Jewelry Treasures
Alicia Marinache All the Pretty Things
Andra Marasteanu Handmade by Indra Marasteanu
Andrea Trank Heaven Lane Creations
April Grinaway Brooklyn Bead Goddess
Andra Marasteanu Handmade by Indra Marasteanu
Andrea Trank Heaven Lane Creations
April Grinaway Brooklyn Bead Goddess
Barb Solem Vivi Magoo Presents
Becky Pancake Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery Stories by Indigo Heart
Bonnie Coursolle Jasper's Gems
Cassi Paslick Beads: Rolling Downhill
Catherine King Catherine's Musings
Cece Cormier The Beading Yogini
Chandra Leitz Juniper Goods
Christina Hickman Vintage Treasures Jewelry
Chrizette Bayman Bead Soup Mix
Cindy Wilson It's My Sea of Dreams
CJ Bauschka 4 His Glory Creations by CJ
Crystal Thain Here Bead Dragons
Cyndi Lavin Beading Arts
Debbie Rasmussen A little of this, a little of that
Diane Hawkey diane hawkey
Dita Basu ankarshilpa
Donetta Farrington Simply Gorgeous
Dyanne Everett-Cantrell Deeliteful Jewelry Creations
Emma Todd A Polymer Penchant
Erin Kenny beadiful therapy
Erin Prais-Hintz Treasures Found
Gina Hockett Freestyle Elements
Gloria Allen Innovative Dreams Jewelry
Heather Marston CSW Designs
Inge von Roos Inge's Blog
Iveth Caruso Creative Atelier
Jacqueline Marchant Fiddledeedee Jewelry
Jami Shipp Celebrating Life!
Jean Yates Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading to Do!
Jessica Murray Whimsical Monkey
Joan Williams lilruby jewelry
Jo-Ann Woolverton It's a Beadiful Creation
Joanne Browne josjewels1
Jodie Marshall Jodie Marshall Lampwork Beads Wearable Art
JuLee Wolfe The Polymer Penguin
Julie Bean Blue Pig Blog
Karen Mitchell Over the Moon Designs
Kelly Hosford Patterson The Traveling SideShow
Kim Ballor Vitamin C ... A Daily Does of Creativity
Kim Dworak CianciBlue
Laren Dee Barton Laren Dee Designs
Lea Avroch LA Jewelry Designs
Leanne Loftus First Impression Design
Liddy McLaughlin Liddy McLaughlin Art
Linda Florian Lily's of the Valley Jewelry & Creative Creations
Linda Inhelder Must-Haves Jewelry
Lori Bowring Michaud Artfully Ornamental
Lori Poppe Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean
LouAnn Elwell Southpass Beads
Mandi Effron Craft-o-licious
Marcia DeCoster MadDesigns
Marcia Dunne The Alternative Foundry
Marie Covert Creating Interest
Marjorie Savill Linthwaite bennubirdrising
Marlene Cupo Amazing Designs by Marlene
Martha Aleo Ornamento
Marti Conrad Marti's Buttons -n- Beads
Mary Ellen Parker BeeTree by m.e.
Mary Govaars MLH Jewelry Designs
Mary Lindell Mary Lindell Artisan Jewelry
Maureen Connolly Mrs Beadsley's Workshop
Maybeline Tay The Jewelry Larder
Melissa Elgin The Addicted Beader
Melissa Mesara one-eared pig beads
Menka Gupta Menka's Jewelry
Michaela Pabeschitz la mar de bonita
Mischelle Fanucchi Micheladas Musings
Mona Rae Baroody Who Does She Bead She Is?
Nan Emmett Spirit Rattles -- Spirited Earth
Nancy Pedersen Something Heartfelt by Nancy
Pam Farren re-maker
Pam, the Crazier Sister The Crazy Creative Corner
Rebecca Sirevaag Becca's Place
Robin Kae Reed Artistry HCBD
Rochelle Brisson a creative chelle
Rosa Maria Cuevas Helena de Troya
Sabine Dittrich perlendschungel
Sandi Volpe Sandi Volpe
Sandra McGriff Creative Chaos
Serena Trent All Things Made Jewelry
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections
Sheila Davis Stone Designs
Shelley Graham Turner Fabric of My Life
Sherri Stokey Knot Just Macrame
Sherry Baun Unicorns Jewels
Skylar Bre'z Brising Beads
Stephanie Haussler Pixybug Designs
Tania Spivey Moobie Grace Designs
Terri G. Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter Tapping Flamingo
Terry Matuszyk Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry
Tracy Martin Nutkitten's Jewelry
Zia Parks Anzi~Panzi's Work Shoppe
Zoe Marcin Beads, Tea and Sweets
54 comments:
What a beautiful necklace and an even more beautiful way of honoring your aunt Elsie! I can understand your cousin's reaction to it as I had the same response; it's beauty and uniqueness really takes your breath away.
Beautiful and elegant, such a fitting tribute.
A wonderful story: with a gorgeous piece to match. The necklace is elegant and rich with symbols - a perfect tribute for your aunt and a wonderful memory for your cousin. Great work!
Lovely. Just lovely.
Love the title of Full Circle for the necklace. Isn't that just what memories and thanks are... completion of love.
Stunning piece. I love it that you repurposed your Aunt's jewelry and made it something so special to honor your Aunt and also fit the taste of your cousin. Bravo.
I love how you took pieces that were filled with memories and combined them into a new piece of jewelry that will create its own set of memories. It is a beautiful piece...and even more so for the person who knows its history.
That is really beautiful, and you achieved such a wonderful balance to the whole. What a wonderful way for her to keep her memories close.
It's absolutely gorgeous! I get so nervous doing requests like that -- putting something together with objects full of meaning to someone. Thanks so much for sharing.
How beautiful! In both intention and or course physical being. Erin I would have never been able to tackle a project like this I would have driven myself nuts with doubts and second guessing. I can imagine the relief you must have felt seeing Jane so pleased with it. Perfect!
Full Circle is beautiful, and so so appropriate for Jane. Classic, but completely unique. You have created a true treasure for her.
It is really beautiful and I'm sure you've fully recreated in it the meaning it has for Jane and the love for her mother.
You did a splendid job creating a beautiful tribute for two special ladies!
Oh, my word! Stunning! Love the story behind the jewelry and am happy to know that Jane loved it, too.
A lovely tribute...a gift to cherish.
Stunning piece Erin. The flow of elements is perfect.
Beautiful way to honor your Aunt, and wonderful treasure that Jane can pass along.
what a lovely necklace and tribute.
A lovely tribute and a gorgeous necklace.
You made a very special necklace in memory of your aunt and I know that your cousin will always treasure the love & thought that went into making it for her.
How beautiful this necklace is and how lucky your cousin is that you could create it for her.
~cryssT
Your thoughtful and intentional process with this design made a newly treasured family heirloom for your cousin. Bravo!
You did an outstanding job, this is a gorgeous heirloom.
What a stunning piece in honor of your aunt, one that I am sure that Jane will treasure and in turn pass it down her daughters.
Miss Erin, I can understand the emotion involved with having to write this blog post in a way that does not "bring you down". You have certainly done justice not only to your cousin and her mother, but in being the amazingly creative person you are. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Miss Erin !
what a beautiful necklace you have made for your cousin! So full of memories and meaning, I can totally understand the tears in your cousins eyes as you showed it to her... You did a wonderful job, as usual! I just love your way of making jewelry so meaningful!
Hi Miss Erin,Thanx for sharing your story with us. Your necklace design is amazing. Your cousin will cherish it. I read your blog regularly since I found it. Your posts are usually very thought provoking. You have a way of putting words that makes me feel good in the end.
Wow, what a beautiful piece of jewelry you have created.
WOW! I love your creation! Beautiful! I'm sure your Aunt would be honored! Great job!! I enjoyed reading about your family. Thank you for sharing!
Your post moved me to tears. I can empathise with your cousin's loss since I lost mother around the same time she did. I was 11 and my mother only 46. I love how much care and thought you took in creating the necklace. I know it must be brimful of memories for your cousin and I'm sure she'll find comfort in wearing it and having her mother near her.
This necklace is so beautiful. You have outdid yourself with this one. Love the pearls at the back, it just gives it that something extra! I can see why your cousin love it.
Bead Soup Mix
What an absolutely beautiful piece Erin. Such a beautiful way to honor your aunt's memory. I'm sure your cousin will treasure this. My parents gave me my grandmother's jewelry box, filled with costume jewelry, last fall and I'm contemplating how I'm going to use the pieces to honor her memory and share them with my children as well.
Brilliant design, Erin. Like Lori, I would have been so nervous, designing with your Aunt Elsie's heirloom pieces! In your hands, they have been updated into a fresh, modern and very classic piece. I'm sure Jane is thrilled!
Beautiful work!
Absolutely beautiful. I love incorporating vintage finds into pieces. I have a few of my grandmothers trinkets but do not yet have the nerve to make something special for myself. I had been playing around with flea market finds to gain the skill I need to tackle something with meaning. I was getting a bit frustrated as I ruined "components" on the very first two pieces (luckily they were cheap yard sale finds, but they were very pretty) that I tried so I stopped trying for a bit. You have inspired me to get at it again! I absolutely love jewelry with meaning and would love to one day be good enough at it that I can offer that service to others. Thank you for inspiring me to keep at it and keep working!
Gorgeous!! I'm sure every element evokes a wonderful memory for Jane. Thank you for always inspiring me with your creations!
Erin, this is beautiful. You do such amazing work! <3
Erin, this is beautiful. You do such amazing work! <3
Very lovely :)
Once again, you've created something amazingly personal, with universal appeal. Such a beautiful tribute to your aunt...I'll bet your cousin is thrilled!
So much for being blocked...a wonderful story thanks for sharing it with us and the piece you have created is rich with memories. Hope you are enjoying the hop.
Hugs
Terri G.
Erin, you just have a way of intuitively putting things together, I love your style...it's just beautiful and what a treasure for your cousin!! xo
What a beautiful post and your creation of the jewelry piece. You put so much thought and love in it. It was a great experience reading this story. Happy New Year, Erin. - Dita
A piece full of memories of a very special person - individual, charming and extraordinary. Thank you for sharing your story and your design!
Beautiful story and lovely necklace! Thank you for sharing.
What a dear story and a beautiful salute to your aunt. The love and treasured memories are obvious.
Erin, your piece made in memory of your Aunt is so stunning, what an heirloom you have made. I thought to myself, as I have many times before, now THIS is my new favorite piece that you've made! I am with you on not cutting apart the crystal rosary. The other components you have truly highlighted in an incredible way - each piece adding to the over all whole so beautifully.
What a treaure you have made...so beautiful! I have several pieces of my mothers costume jewelry tucked away. She keeps telling me to "take it apart" to reuse the pieces. but I can't do that, as they were gifts from my late father. Sacrilage to me! Trulu beautiful, Erin!
Such a beautiful piece! How wonderful you wee able to put all these pieces together into something your cousin would remember forever!
what a lovely piece! I love how you put all the pieces together in this memory piece.
Beautiful Erin and what a wonderful gift you were able to give!
I can see the thoughtfulness you have put in in creating this beautiful necklace. The necklace is so elegant, timeless and beautiful. I am sure your cousin could see it too.
I like it. I have some special jewelry piece from a couple of my great-aunts, and I've never known what to do with them. I like the simple yet meaningful manner you've put them together.
It's beautiful...you did a great job with just the right mix of contemporary and traditional. The circle theme is perfect.
Erin, what a beautiful piece! You did a wonderful job combining the various treasures.
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