Saturday, January 12, 2013

Memories & Thanks Blog Hop

I signed up for this memories and thanks blog hop with good intentions of creating something new, but as it often does, life got in the way and I really haven't had time, so I opted to show something I had already made. Some of you may recognize this necklace as it is also the first piece of jewelry I ever had published, last Feb in Bead Trends magazine. It features a walnut slice that came from my grandfather's workshop after he passed away. While he was alive, no one ever even knew he had been slicing all these walnuts in his shop, and it wasn't until after he passed that we found them in coffee cans. We aren't sure what he had intended to do with them, but I certainly didn't want to let such an interesting piece of nature's beauty go to waste (not to mention his work involved in slicing all these walnuts) so I decided to put them to use in my jewelry. I made the first necklace for my sister and called it Molly's necklace and submitted it to Bead Trends. I was over the moon excited when I found out it had been selected for publication. Since then I've had 11 pieces published, including landing the cover in December. Here is the magazine shot:



As if that wasn't enough to be thankful for, I also recently had the opportunity to be a part of a celebrity earth day gifting event. I racked my brain and thought about doing something upcycled and steampunk, but then I thought, what is more appropriate for earth day than these walnuts? So ultimately I decided to send the celebrities one of my walnut slice necklaces too. I hope my grandfather would have been proud of what I'm doing with his walnuts. I'm glad to know they aren't going to waste. I sure hope that after I pass away, my family doesn't throw away the things I was working on. Even if they don't know what my intentions are, there are so many artists out there that could take my ideas to completely new places and keep my memory alive. That is my intention for him and I am so thankful that he made them and that I was able to find them, because they led me to places and opportunities I never thought possible.  Here is a photo of the style that is headed to the celebrity gifting.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and checking out my memories and thanks necklace. Please visit Pretty Things Blog to get to the list of participants and continue the hop. 

20 comments:

  1. What an interesting find and such a unique piece of jewelry!

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  2. Congrats on finding a way to honor your grandfather and keeping his memory alive.

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  3. Love, love love! The jewelry is absolutely beautiful and so is the story that goes with them. I hope you include a little note with the story of your grandfather's walnuts in the celebrity gifts. I know that if I received a piece of jewelry like this, it would be extra special to me knowing where those walnuts came from.......and I bet it will have all the celebrities talking!

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  4. What gorgeous and unique necklaces! The fact that your grandfather cut the walnuts makes it all the more special. And I agree with Diane. I would include the story behind the walnuts with the necklaces. That way your memories of your grandfather will live on and grow.

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  5. A lovely story and the necklace are a great tribute

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  6. This is a wonderful tribute to your grandfather. I like unusual things in my jewelry. It sets you apart from others when you use non-traditional items in your jewelry.Congrats on yopur publication success last year.

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  7. Who knew there was so much beauty inside a walnut. I love your unique and beautiful necklaces - what a wonderful gift from your grandfather!

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  8. Love the walnut slice ~ Thanks for a touching story..
    Peace and Love.

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  9. Love the walnut slices...what a great reminder and the fact that he cut them out, that's just the best! blessings!

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  10. I would never have imagined that walnut slices could be so beautiful...what an amazing reminder of the beauty found in nature, if we think to look for it!

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  11. What a treasure - to be collaborating with your grandfather on such beautiful works of art. It must feel like he is there in your studio with you. Wonderful post!

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  12. Such an amazing find... wouldn't you love to know what your grandfather had in mind for his sliced shells. I'm pretty sure he would love what you've made with them!

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  13. What wonderful art walnuts! I'm sure your grandfather would be so proud of your talented compostions!

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  14. Absolutely gorgeous pieces, I am glad you didn't let the walnut slices go to waste. Your grandfather would be proud.

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  15. I love the idea of using walnut slices. And even better, they were a gift from your grandfather. It made a great focal! I love it.

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  16. Beautiful! I love the walnuts they look really great. Thanks so much for sharing your touching story of your Grandfather.

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  17. Thank you for sharing this beautiful necklace and tribute to your grandfather. The walnut slices are so intriguing and unlike anything I have ever seen. So wondrously beautiful. You have honored him by making these the focals. Thank you for sharing your story. Enjoy the day. Erin

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  18. These are beautiful, and so unique....I wonder if your grandfather ever had an inkling that he was making them for you ♥

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  19. I remeber seeing these when it first came out and you shared. So so pretty. I love the pairings you make with these walnut slices, a collaboration through time. Beautiful!

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  20. Stopping by visiting all the blogs taking part in the Bead Soup Blog Party cant wait to see what you make!

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