I spend alot of time focusing on the external when creating..and this was a challenge for me. There are so many people in my life that have and do inspire me that it was difficult for me to know what direction to go.
I decided on Christmas Eve to sit down and go through family photos. I have not been able to get through them since I lost my Mom 3 years ago...and it was still hard. I kept coming across pictures of my grandmother, and realized I had so many happy (and sometimes silly) memories of her. In all the pictures I have of her, she is always smiling and always wearing blue...why blue? I have no idea...the summer I turned 10, she had major surgury for cancer and her heart. She was going to be spending alot of time in her bedroom. She had it remodeled and painted a very pretty shade of pink called California Mauve. She love pink but never wore it! Both my Grandma and my Mom collected hammered aluminium dining ware from the 20's/30's, many of which I inherited (I collect them too.) I was searching for something really special for this blog hop and came across an Arts and Crafts hammered Silver locket.
This is for my Mom and my Grandma... without either of them, I would not be who I am.
The really neat thing about this locket is that is engraved with an "S". My Grandma was Elizabeth but she went by Sally.
There is also a little loop at the bottom of the locket built into the hinge. I figure it was put there to keep the locket from opening all the way with the backs touching (that is what is seems to do anyway) and it was the perfect place to add a dangle. I kept the chain simple to reflect the era the locket was made.
I also made one more piece, I did not know Marianna but I was so moved by her story, I made a necklace with 2 of her favorite things, red, and birds.
Please take a look at these other amazing jewelry designers and what they came up with and the stories behind them:
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 You are here
Chrizette Bayman Bead Soup Mix
Cindy Wilson It's My Sea of Dreams
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
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
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
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
I Love both of your pieces. I especially like the simplicity of your locket pendant.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your story.
The a hammered locket...what a perfect choice. A Beautiful way to hold memories in. And how cool is it....that you all collect hammered items. Both pieces are a lovely tribute. Enjoy the hop.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Terri G.
I love the simplicity of your first necklace and the bold colors in your second!
ReplyDeleteBoth necklaces are incredible. I especially like the first one with its simplicity. And with it being engraved with a S it was meant to be.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your touching story. Your work is beautiful.
ReplyDeletePeace and Love.
Lovely tributes to your mother and grandmother.
ReplyDeletem.e.
Wonderful tributes and beautiful necklaces!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful jewelry with a beautiful sentiment.
ReplyDeleteOh, YOu are a treasure--what a fortunate mother and grandmother are yours. And to be thoughtful enough to make that stunning additional necklace just flattened me.
ReplyDeleteall love, jean
What a lovely story and beautiful tribute pieces.
ReplyDeleteI loved the story and both of your pieces are beautiful. I especially liked the tribute to Marianna.
ReplyDeleteI love that you made 2 pieces. You honored you heritage very well and Marriane too! I didn't know her, but you covered her likes very well. The locket is gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeletefirst i have to tell you that i love your banner - it has an art deco feel to it and i am such a fan of that period. it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeletei love your tribute piece to your grandmother and mother - so fitting that the locket is of the same material that they collected and seemed to treasure. The piece for Marianna is beautiful.
Beautiful story and beautiful necklaces, wonderful tributes to your gramma and mom.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful necklace for you mom and grandmom, I love the vintage style. Did you fill the locket with photos of them two?
ReplyDeleteWonderful!!! I love the locket. What A special find!!! The locket necklace is very special. I love the colors and movement in the second necklace. Great Job!!
ReplyDeleteI like the simple elegance of that first piece- You did a great job at keeping it true to the time period. =) I love the bird pendant and your combo of fabric and beads. Lovely work.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely piece of creation to remember the two important ladies in your life. I really love the locket. Such a great find. Your tribute to Marianna was so beautiful too. Thanks for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteYour necklace for your mom and grandmother is so elegant. And Marianna's piece is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBoth necklaces are lovely. I really like the pink you used in the necklace for your mother and grandmother.
ReplyDeleteHaving a hard time getting through this amazing blog hop, but will get there. Beautiful pieces in honor of your grandma and mom.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit late - but these are beautiful pieces. Glad I got to your blog.
ReplyDelete~cryssT