Saturday 12 January 2013

Memories and Thanks Blog Hop

When I first read about the Memories and Thanks Blog Hop on Lori Anderson's blog Pretty Things, I was certain I wanted to participate. Her post on why she was holding the Blog Hop, which you can read here, moved me. Briefly, this Blog Hop honours both Lori's friend, Marianna, and all those people in our lives (alive, or otherwise) who mean a lot to us.

I knew from the start that I wanted to create a piece of jewellery to honour the memory of my mother, whom I lost much too early in life. One of my greatest sorrows is that I never had a chance to really know her as a person; as an individual with all her idiosyncracies. She was always just 'mummy' to me. She checked my homework, she attended my school's Sports Days, she took me shopping.

This much, however, I do know. My mother took pride in her appearance and until she got too sick, almost always wore a slick of lipstick whenever she went out - even if it was just to the corner shop. She loved her sweets. I remember her making coconut candy and, towards the end, she always had a roll of Werther's Butterscotch candies with her. She also loved to read, especially paperback Mills & Boon romances. More than anything else, though, she loved the movies. Old Hollywood films and classic MGM musicals were her favourites. I suspect she enjoyed the glamour and spectacle that were common in movies of that period (I say this because she was also fascinated by the English royal family).   
 
Nothing says Old Hollywood to me more than the colours black and white, even though the movies my mother watched were usually in Technicolor. So when it came to making my jewellery piece, I turned to several polka-dotted black & white vintage beads I picked up on my last holiday. I didn't have enough beads for a necklace so I made a bracelet instead,  closing it with a pretty heart toggle. 


And because my mother thought Rock Hudson was da bomb (I often wonder what she would have made of the fact that he was, as it turned out, gay), I made a double-sided charm with images of Rock on one side and the movie Giant on the other. I was in a rush when I made the charm, so it's decidedly wonky. The paper images are raggedy and the resin is smeared on one side. But since I made it removable, I can always replace it later. 


So there you have it: my Black & White Bracelet. 


Thank you for staying the course and reading through my post. My thanks also to the fabulous Lori for coordinating this Hop. And it goes without saying that I am forever and always thankful to my mother. For handing down to me her love of books and movies (both of which have given me much pleasure over the years), for teaching me that being helpful, kind and hardworking is more important than being an A-student (although that's a bonus!) and - in the short time she had with me - for helping me to be the the person I am today. 

The other participants of this special Hop are listed below. I hope you'll find some time to visit each one of these awesome individuals. 


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
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
Charissa Nesler                   FireStorm Designs
Charlie Jacka                       Clay Space
Christina Hickman              Vintage Treasures Jewelry
Christine Murrow               Charis Designs Jewelry
Christine Stonefield            Sweet Girl Design
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
Denielle Hagerman             Some Beads... and other things I like
Diana Gonzalez                  Arte y Poemas
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!
Jennifer Reno                     Musings of a Crafty Jenny
Jenny Robledo                   Peppa's Dream
Jennifer VanBenschoten    Jewelry, Art and Life
Jessica Klaaren                  Cellar Door Jewelry
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
Johanna Rhodes                 Fire Phoenix Creations
John Rasmussen                 Rasumussen Gems and Jewelry LLC
JuLee Wolfe                       The Polymer Penguin
Julie Bean                           Blue Pig Blog
Karen Mitchell                   Over the Moon Designs
Karin King                         The Sparklie Things Blog
Karin Slaton                       Backstory Beads
Kat Douglas                       Washoe Kat's
Kay Bolton                        Toodles and Binks
Kelly Hosford Patterson     The Traveling SideShow
Kim Ballor                          Vitamin C ... A Daily Does of Creativity
Kim Dworak                       CianciBlue
Kim Houston                       The Pink Martini
Kym Hunter                         Kym Hunter Designs
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
Lisa Hamilton                      Simply Irresistable Jewelry
Lisa Suver                            Fancee That
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
Natalie Davidson                  NorthShore Days
Nikki Douglas                      Bead It and Weep
Pam Farren                           re-maker
Pam, the Crazier Sister        The Crazy Creative Corner
Pam Traub                            Klassy Joolz
Priya Krish                           Hellopalz  
Rebecca Anderson               Song Beads
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
Sarah Goode                         Pookledo
Sarah Singer                         String a Song of Sixpence
Serena Trent                         All Things Made Jewelry
Shai Williams                       Shaiha's Ramblings
Sharon Palac                        Sharon's Jewelry Garden
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
Toltec Jewels                       Jewel School Friends
Tracy Kruse                         Goldkisses Art
Tracy Martin                        Nutkitten's Jewelry
Zia Parks                              Anzi~Panzi's Work Shoppe
Zoe Marcin                          Beads, Tea and Sweets


54 comments:

  1. Beautiful post and I got to know your mum a wee bit more. I already know you are very much like her (loving books and movies) and today I got a glimpse of the girly things you did together (shopping!). Her legacy lives on in you and in the things you do. As a mother reading this, I do hope Anya would want day remember me this fondly... I am touched.

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  2. Beautiful, loving words and a lovely, thoughtfully designed bracelet. Sorry you had the pain of losing a mother way too soon.

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  3. I love your design in every way!!! and your mother, although so sadly she left too soon, was a WONDERFUL superstar mom! jean!!!

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  4. Lovely bracelet and great to hear about the fond memories you have of your mother

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  5. Beautiful and poignant story. I love the Rock Hudson charm and I also think of black and white for that period of history! Great job!

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  6. Heartwarming post full of the love you shared with your mother.

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  7. I love the bracelet, and the story!

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  8. Lovely bracelet in memory your Mother. My mother was the same, never left the house without being dressed properly.

    Cstherine of Catherines Musings

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  9. Great job on your bracelet. I think that it's ok for your resin piece to be wonky because life is sometimes wonky.

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  10. Lovely bracelet and a wonderful tribute to you mom.

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  11. Black and white are very on trend for the current Hollywood stars. I am sure you mother would have worn this pride!

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  12. What a wonderful tribute to your mother. The bracelet is adorable!

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  13. Love your classic design. It would have been equally at home on the wrist of Elizabeth Taylor or Audrey Hepburn...and your Mom would have loved it. How cool that you chose vintage beads!

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  14. Such a lovely tribute to your mother. I love the old Hollywood glamor! Enjoy the day. Erin

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  15. Truly a classic color combo. Your black and white bracelet turned out beautifully. A wonderful tribute to your mom. Enjoy the hop.
    Hugs
    Terri G.

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  16. Beautiful post and I love your bracelet. It's very elegant.

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  17. Surely you captured the essence of your Mom in the bracelet. I bet she would have treasured it.

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  18. Your creativity and talent has surely made your mom proud as she watches over you. I love how your bracelet shows your mom's favorite actor, really cool!

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  19. I really like your bracelet! The beads are really fun and your charm is a great idea.

    Thanks for sharing the story of your mom. It's nice to have sweet memories.

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  20. Charming design and so old Hollywood! A lovely tribute and a pleasure to read. Thank you for sharing your story.

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  21. I got tears in my eyes while reading your blog post. You've created a very special piece of your heart. Love it.
    Brooklyn Bead Goddess

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  22. What a lovely bracelet! I love the images of Rock Hudson, wonky and all - the imperfections make it perfect!

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  23. Beautiful bracelet, heart moving story and my Mom was the same, had to have that bit of lipstick on.

    ~cryssT

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  24. What a beautiful bracelet, and a perfect representation of the black-and-white glamour your mother loved so much (and I don't think she would have believed that Rock Hudson was gay; my mother NEVER believed it, and thought it was all scurrilous Hollywood gossip, even after the truth was revealed by his physicians). Lovely work, Adlinah!

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  25. That is a perfect tribute to your mother.

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  26. What an awesome tribute to your mother. I loved reading about your memories of her.

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  27. Very well written and emotionally expressed Adlinah. I love the bracelet you have designed.

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  28. A Beautiful tribute.
    Love that Rock Hudson charm
    m.e. :)

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  29. It was really nice to read the story about your mom, and I think the piece you made truly reflects what your mom loved.

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  30. Beautiful bracelet and a beautiful tribute to your mom. I am sure she is looking down on you with great pride.

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  31. What a wonderful tribute to your mother...I love that you created the design around a theme she loved!

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  32. Oh what a lovely bracelet, I'm really loving that toggle. Wonderful way to remember your mom. I'm sorry for your loss <3

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  33. Your mom sounds like such a classy lady. I love what you made, with the special personal photo touch. Red lipstick and that bracelet and you can't go wrong!

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  34. A fitting tribute to a lady of her time. I know she was not the only one with a "crush" on Rock H. and would have loved that bracelet very much.

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  35. What a charming and unique design to honour your Mum's love of movies, Adlinah!

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    1. Thanks for visiting and commenting! I really appreciate it.

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  36. I think the Rock Hudson Charm is awesome!

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  37. I am sorry you did not get to know your mother as an adult. But your story about her never going out without lipstick on reminded me of my Father's third wife, who put herself together until the few days before she died from breast cancer. I never leave the house without putting on my face and especially my lipstick to honor her. Your black and white bracelet is a great representation of that period. Rock Hudson, well its a good thing she did not know he was gay.

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    1. Thanks for commenting Andrea! I'm sorry about your dad's 3rd wife. It's great that you can do something every day that honours her.

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  38. Thank you for sharing such great memories of your mother. It makes me even more grateful for my own mom. I love those beads and your handcrafted charm is a great accent to add character and charm!

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  39. What wonderful memories you have of your mother! I love your tribute piece, very nicely done!

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  40. It is wonderful that you have fond memories of your mother. I think having this bracelet will enhance the connection and help you through the hard times... I love the black and white beads and the incorpaoration of the movie star charm - using the mood of romance and the "Big Screen" is a perfect tribute, to embody the treasured memories you spoke of.

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  41. beautiful tribute to your mom..i love the black and white

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  42. Lovely! the charm was a great idea and really adds a nostalgic feel that completes the bracelet nicely :) I have don't much with resin, and haven't attempted resin vs paper at all yet>.< lol I doubt she'd have minding him being gay... it's not like the reality of something would ever interfere with fantasy anyhow ;)A good looking guy from a movie is still a good looking guy from a movie no matter what the reality of away form that movie might entail;)

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  43. Oh wow, this is going to be a tear jerker going through the posts! Your bracelet is so fun and a fitting reminder of the lady your Mom was. Rock was still Rock and a great actor! There is nothing like the ol' movies anymore. I think you got the best parts of your Mom, and you knew her better than you think. Hugs

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  44. I like it. =) Thank you for sharing about your mom. I like the fact that the charm isn't perfect personally; however, I suspect that your mom would have wanted it to be very elegant. Which the rest of the piece totally is. Good work.

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  45. Lovely classic colour combination. I'm sure your mother would have loved it.

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    1. Thank you for comments, Karen. I appreciate it more than you know.

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  46. I love seeing what everyone made! Congrats on the blog hop and I can't wait to see what new designs you bring out!

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Tara! Come again soon :-)

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  47. The bracelet is sweet, and I love your Rock Hudson charm, Wonky or not!!! It's a nice way to remember your mom

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  48. Dear Adlinah (what a beautiful name you have!!!), I just love your story, the way you describe your mother it shows a lot of emotions, a lot of love and gratitude! I am sure, even if you didn't had the chance to get to know her better, you have a lot of her in you and that's a wonderful thing since from what you are describing, she was a wonderful classy lady, with open heart and joyful spirit! I love your bracelet, it's just perfect match for your memories and the photo - charm, shows how important movies were and are for both of you!

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