News from Earth and Fire -- July 2, 2008
The watch and the necklace
My father wore a watch when I was a child that always fascinated me. He purchased it in Switzerland one weekend while he was on leave during the war. WWII. The Big One, as he used to say. He wore it for years, until it became undependable and was replaced by another one that he bought in Mexico. When he died in 1989, that was the one thing that I asked for as a remembrance of him.
My mother had a gold cross necklace in her jewelry box. She told me that they were "all the rage" when she was a teenager, and she wanted one so badly she could hardly stand it. It was 1939 and things weren't particularly good for the family, on a farm in the middle of Kansas. Her father became ill in the fall, and was taken to a hospital in Kansas City, where he died a few months later. Shortly after he died, a package arrived for her. He had ordered the necklace for her before he had gone into the hospital. I loved that story. She gave the necklace to me about 10 years ago.
I had been keeping the watch and the necklace in my jewelry armoir, but was never really happy with that. These two objects needed a place of honor. But... Where? How?
In May, I was visiting my friends at The Potomac Gallery up the street and they showed me something they had just finished framing for a customer. It was a pair of ballet slippers.
A light bulb went off.
I went through my box of old family photographs (that will be the next big project!) and found my mother's high school graduation photograph, a photograph of my father while he was in the army, and their wedding photograph.
I took the photographs, the watch, and the necklace to my friends and we brainstormed for a while.
Here's the result:
Mom and Dad
The watch and the necklace -- Finally, a place of honor
Last Sunday afternoon, I went to the good-bye party held by my friends at The Potomac Gallery. After 17 years in business in downtown Leesburg, they have closed their doors.
I will miss them.
Reminder
We're coming down to the wire on the Byron Temple pots. The incentive is at 50% and there are only 8 left.
Holiday news
I'm hitting the road tomorrow to go visit my sister in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It's a long drive (about 700 miles), but I'm anxious for a road trip.... even with gas at more than $4.00 a gallon. (eeeek!!!) The gallery will be CLOSED Thursday July 3 through Tuesday, July 8.
While I'm gone, I would like to encourage you to save YOUR gas money and shop online. The shopping cart is set for FREE SHIPPING and 15% off orders over $100 (No, there is not an additional 15% off on the Byron Temple pots.)
New pots!
There are some great new pots online now from:
Kent Harris -- New Artist
Sequoia Miller -- New Work
Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
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