Designers Heart Challenge for Artisan Whimsy

 

~A Mothers Heart ~

You know the passion and love a mother feels when she looks at her new baby sleeping?

This is the passion and love I decided upon, for this challenge.

It's a love like no other. Yes, it's not the typical Valentine love of a man and women.

But, it represents that love and the feeling of hope and wonder that a new life brings

to a mother. When your there in the quiet looking, time stands still.

 

You wonder about all the things the child will do and 1 day become.

 

And then you walk out of the room, and if you are like me, you think, " I hope I don't screw this whole parenting thing up!"

 

Pendant- Fine Art Sticker Morisot Painting

French artist (1841-1895)

 

Embossed Brass sheet metal, fine art sticker, mica, brass eyelets,

 and black lace ribbon.

Dangle heart made from recycled tin, brass sheet metal, brass eyelet and screw. 

 

Velvet ribbon necklace.

 

 

 

 



 

Welcome to Blue Antiquities Memories and Thanks Blog Hop hosted by Lori Anderson! Thank You Lori! To visit and see the other participants, click on the blog button on the sidebar of this post.
My piece is ready.
I want to dedicate my post to Marie-Noel, an amazing lady,
and my post is in honor of Peggy Guenther. Originally I had a necklace in mind. But, when making some cuffs for my craft show, I gave a try at a stamp of the following saying by Emerson.  When the cuff turned out fairly well, and I was cleaning it, Peggy came to mind, and so here it is... I hope you like it. I've had a time with it. The patina, the sari-ribbon, the colors, but, in the end, I am pleased with the result.

 

 

"To laugh often and to  love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and earn the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one's self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived-this is to have succeeded."


Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

"Philosophically considered, the universe is composed of Nature and Soul."

We were sister in laws Peggy and I. 

We married brothers, she the oldest, and I, the second youngest.
We were born on the same day, January 26, eleven years apart. 
We became sister in laws in 1990, but close friends many years later. 
She would have turned 60 this month. 

Our connection began when I had moved to Atlanta from our home town
of St. Louis and her son began studies at Emory University. 

Peggy's son graduation day-Emory

During this time, I became pregnant with my son. 
This was another connection as we both had our 3rd babies later in life,
 spread apart from the other two.  I call these babies, the cabooses.

So, our friendship took off from there. It was an easy friendship,
you know the kind, where you just feel comfortable talking and being your self
around the other person.
You understand each other.  There is no awkwardness or expectation.  

That was our friendship.  We didn't live in the same city,
so most of the time we talked on the phone, and we would see each other 
when we came home for vacation.  

One special trip was for her daughter's wedding.
I never saw her happier and I enjoyed talking and hearing all about the plans they
 had made leading up to the special day.
It was so nice to be there and see her so happy.

 

Mike and Peggy- Oct 2004- Happy Day

 

 

Amy's Wedding Day- Even Baby Andrew had on a tie!

After that trip she was diagnosed with breast cancer. With treatment and surgery
 she was cleared to return to work.  Months later, I received a call, the cancer had returned, and Peggy had months to live.  I was in shock of course.  While dealing with cancer, we remained close.  We were able to continue talking on the phone.  She would always turn the conversation to me or something else, because that was Peggy.  It was who she was. 

 She did keep me in the know of her treatments, and she fought hard. 
As difficult as it was later, we were able to talk on the phone for a long time. There were times I hesitated to call, and many people told me not to. But I am glad I did anyway, because she always took my call, and it was the same as it always was.  I think she comforted me more than I comforted her.

If she were alive today, I am certain she would be shy about her life and what it meant to others. In the words of Emerson, Peggy succeeded. These words by Emerson embody what Peggy did in her life. She was loving, kind, and soft spoken.  I remember her voice very well. It was soothing and sweet.

In her job as a nurse, she earned the respect of her co-workers,
who would find her when they had trouble inserting IVs. 
Peggy would come and say a prayer while inserting the needle, with success,
usually on her first try.

Peggy was a family person.  Her family meant the world to her.
She made sure that I felt like a welcomed part of the family, and in conversations,
she  always had a way to make me
feel important in my role as a Mom and in- law, in a large family.  
This was Peggy's gift, she made everyone feel important and special.

All of her nieces and nephews would tell you how much they
loved their Aunt Peggy growing up. I am certain they would have a story
of something special she said or did for them. 

Peggy had a wonderful sense of humor, quick witted and definitely fun!
It was one that I would love to have.
 
As the years go by, I am comforted by something she told me,
 she said, " Laura, I am at peace with this."
  This was in person so I could read her face and know that it was true.
This disclosure helped me so much at the time,
and it continues to help me as the years go by.

Peggy sent me a hand written card on our birthday,
her last here on earth.  She wrote in beautiful cursive writing, 
" Laura, I wish you the happiest of birthdays!"  
I know she is with me, in spirit, especially on our birthday.
As the first birthdays came to pass I was melancholy, missing her, but now,
 I want to honor her message and be happy.
And I cherish that we shared a special day.

  I know that many lives have breathed easier
because Peggy was here.
It's impossible to know all the good deeds
she did and how they affected peoples lives.
You know, the whole pay it forward concept.

Just as it's impossible to know how Emerson's past words
would affect future souls,
perhaps be etched in metal and worn as adornment to honor a special someone.

Just as it is impossible to know how many lives Lori touches
with her Bead Soup Blog Parties.  Or to know how far and wide Lori's message of a special person
of someone she never met, touched her life, and in turn, caused others to remember and honor, a life.
A life remembered.  A life, succeeded.

 From her work as a nurse, to her love of family,
Peggy succeeded in life.
She had a huge heart, and now huge wings.
She is at peace. 
"Peggy, we miss you so."

 

Peggy and I

Party for Eric- our house for graduation

 

 One of Peggy's favorite things- flowers!
I found this vintage angel with wings in my bead drawer and
decided it had to be added to the bracelet somehow.

 

 You cant see them all pictured here but,
I included 26 brass seed beads on the dangle grouping to represent
 our birthday, January 26th. I also added a garnet colored pearl to represent our
birthstone.  I used green sari-silk at the back of the cuff.
 Peggy's daughters both mentioned that
green was one of Peggy's favorite colors.  I know she liked pearls. 

 The cuff is really comfortable to wear even with the
added beads and dangles.

Only a portion of the poem was able to fit on the cuff,
but I think it really worked out well. 

 

I copied the card wording onto heavy weight card stock, added some chalk and
Copic marker to the edges. I attached it to the metal with Gel medium on the back and front.
I ran out of time, so I didn't research this. I hope it stays
on! Anyone have any tips, please let me know.

Thank You for visiting Blue Antiquities!

Please follow my blog, I would love to have you! 

Off to see the other goodies!



The talented Cathie Carroll....

Over the weekend I received my necklace that I won from the Bead soup Blog Party.

It was created by Cathie Carroll.  I was so excited because it is prettier in person!  I love the verdigris elements on this piece.

Check out the "sticks" she created by rolling strips of sheet metal and then adding a verdigris patina.  Another lovely feature of this necklace is Cathie's use of cording.  I can't wait to study it more so I can try something like it.

Please go and take a look at Cathie's jewelry, here.   Her work is amazing. It has loads of texture and I love the way she combines the elegant and simple, with the raw look of metals and patinas.
Thank you Cathie!!!

Give-Away Winner

And the winner is... Jo!  Jo of Jo in Wonderland!  You have won my Grooms bookmark!  I hope you like it!  Use it in your favorite book while your reading!  I made lots of these in a different style a couple of years ago for a craft show and I love them!

I will send you a message for your address.  Congrats!   Thank you for joining my blog and commenting!  XO Laura

~Bead Soup Blog Party~

A big welcome to our hostess Lori Anderson and to my partner Linda of Lindy's Designs.

~Reveal~
and Give-away

My post is a bit long, sorry, if your impatient 
scroll down for the pictures! 

Theme

~TITANIC HONEYMOON~

"Its alright little girl. You go. I will stay." -Daniel Warner Marvin, 

April 15th 1912 

Daniel was just 1 young soul who perished in the Titanic Sinking 100 years ago.

There were 13 couples on their honeymoon when the Titanic set sail. After hitting the iceberg, men made sure their wives were in lifeboats if they could, and kissed them goodbye. The men who got in lifeboats and survived were scorned in society after the sinking. 

Daniel Marvin was just 18 years old when he saved his young bride of  17. 

~TITANIC WIDOW NECKLACE~

I loved working with the beautiful beads Linda sent me!
Click on the pictures for a closer look.

 I had recently been to the Titanic exhibit just before I sat down and played with my soup mix, shades of blue, moonstone, and the frame that I had added a 
tintype picture of the gentlemen, from Susan Lenart Kazmer. 

Suddenly,  it all came together to make this Widow necklace.
As soon as I opened my soup from Linda, I knew I would use
this polymer frame for a focal in a necklace.  

 The iceberg, the cold night, the frigid waters, the men who were lost, the souls forever linked together, all are represented here, in this necklace. 
The moonstone, the deep blue hues of the beads, and the chain all symbolize 
what happened that fateful night so many years ago. 

Everything here is from my soup, 
I only added a couple of beads and bead caps.  

I have an attachment to it now,
after viewing the names of the departed and the survivors on a large wall of the exhibit.  Walking by 100 year old remnants that were brought up from the wreckage, is an experience you must take in if the exhibit comes to your city.  

The iceberg exhibit was the part that stuck with me, a large 10 foot slab of ice in the shape of an iceberg, that visitors touched, hand prints embedded in the ice.  When you place your hand there, you were awakened to just how cold the water was that night, April 15, 1912 

Thank You Linda! 
A special thanks to Lori, for all your hard work on this event and her help and encouragement with my blog.  But wait, there's more ...

~Titanic Honeymoon ~
Grooms Bookmark

Join my site and comment about the 
give-away for a chance to win this bookmark!

For this piece I used the black glass bead, faceted crystal glass, 
and the blue leather, from my bead soup. 
I added the focal connector I made with a reproduction tin type photo and Mica tile.   
I can imagine the groom keeping this in his book.

Quotes relating to Eileen and Dean- both perished on their honeymoon, Eileen was 19 years old.

However, Eileen's effects were retained and how sad it is to relate that she was wearing the beautiful blouse with the little blue anchor when she was found. Her treasured wedding ring was on her finger and the ticket for the voyage was in her purse.

Amid the grief back in Salisbury her mother recalled, "They were so excited about the voyage and their new life together.  I was with Eileen when she was packing her trunk and the last thing she put in was her bible Mr. Pritchard gave her." From Eileens mother.

But wait, there is more!

~Titanic Honeymoon~

Astor Baby Bracelet

In my research, I found 2 babies that were born to the honeymoon 
widows from the Titanic. Baby Astor and baby  Smith

For this piece, I used the blue barrel beads, deep blue lapis rounds, 

light blue raku beads, 
silver beads, leather and white chain.

I went looking for white headpins for the beads
 but couldn't find them in stores. 
So I made spirals on the ends of the beads with white wire. 
I also used some white enamel findings I had in my stash from a 
years ago, when I was purchasing white supplies. 

Baby charm- Nickle silver, mica and tintype photo
  

~TITANIC HONEYMOON ~

Maiden Voyage Earrings

~Clip on Earrings~ 

Clear faceted beads, gorgeous midnight blue

 Picasso finish beads with layered brass findings.

Thanks for visiting Blue Antiquities.  Enjoy the last reveal! Be sure to 

join my site and comment about the give-away for a chance to win the Grooms bookmark!

The winner will be announced on September 1.

Hugs to all, Laura

Here is the link for the rest of the participants, go and check out some beautiful designs! 

And please check out my friend Linda here, my bead soup partner!

Blue Antiquities Give-A-Way
and How to Join my Blog

Join my site (follow my blog) by clicking on the "Join my Site" blue button on the right sidebar. Sign in with your existing email account or create a new email with Google. Use this email to follow any blog you like. 
Once signed in, leave a comment 
about the give-a-way and enter to win 1 of my pieces 

I have created for the Bead Soup Blog Party!  

You will find out what it is on 

August 25th.

 It could be a necklace, bracelet, 

or maybe it isn't jewelry at all!  

Thank you! Laura 

Email me if you need help joining my site, lkguen@comcast.net

Drawing will be Saturday September 1, 

good luck everyone!  Laura  

What I have been Doing!  

I have been busy working with my new enamels and preparing to open my Etsy Shop.  Here is what I have been working on.  It is so fun to have new colors to play with!  I am working on some new techniques that the wonderful Barbara Lewis has taught me.   I hope you like them.  It seems it is taking forever to get my jewelry done, photographed and listed.   I need a clone!