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Friday, February 03, 2012

the girls

If you didn't get to skip over to
Love My Art Jewelry
yesterday to read my guest post,
I thought I'd share it with you here today.

*******

I could never had predicted how important this torn cabinet card would become in the years to come in my artistic journey.
A picture of two sisters, who actually are distant cousins of mine.
Found in a dresser drawer of my grandparent's home, both long gone, 
the most precious treasure, worth more to me than silver and gold.
Stacks of family cabinet cards, given to my grandparents, 
that seam to reveal a close knit family full of sharing.
I was blessed to inherit the 1920 farmhouse from my bachelor uncle,  
an older brother of my father,
who before that had inherited it from his parents and my grandparents.
Dear Lord, Let me always dance with heart....

*******
I originally shared the story above almost three years ago in the fall 2009 issue of
Somerset Memories, 
called Cabinet Card Sisters.
I had made a couple of soldered jewelry pendants, one using this very same picture.
They eventually made their way into my marketing, as one day sitting at my computer,
I pulled up this very picture in one of my editing programs.  
I hit crop and when I did...the idea was born.
I first began using a black and white version of this picture on the front of my class handouts.
But later that year, I had a designer, Susie Hibdon
use it to design my business cards, postcards and as a banner for my shows.
Next, I placed them in resin filled bezels.
"Art Sistas"
With many more bezels in the waiting...
I've used the sisters together.  I've used them one at a time.
Obviously I've used only their hands.
But, I have found that I love to use only their feet!
 
"dance with heart"
(I will be teaching at Spring Beads on May 12, 2012, in Spring, Texas)
And, just their faces too!
I've used them in larger soldered pendants.
"happy and blest"
(I will be teaching at Art Unraveled 2012, in Phoenix, Arizona)
And covered them with mica.
These necklaces were just featured in the winter 2011 issue of 
Belle Armoire Jewelry.
"sisters"
(I will be teaching at Art Unraveled 2012, in Phoenix, Arizona)
Recently I used one of the little girls as my blog favicon.
 And last, but certainly not least,
I put together a group of images for a group of Moo stickers,
which I have been using as the closure on my class kit bags.  
The message, one I had written, 
rings strong and true as I travel this artistic road I have chosen.  
It has proven to be never dull, ever winding, and worth every minute.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow! I love the little window to the past - that's the image your story evoked in my mind! Very cool.

Anonymous said...

Great images and I saw that article! Beautiful and intriguing!

Melanie said...

I love how something so precious and beautiful has touched your heart so much that it has inspired you on your journey. The spirit of these little girls truly must lie in your heart and hands as you create these beautiful pieces. I love them all !

sharon said...

A photo that was meant to be in your hands and heart, and you have touched my heart and so many others with this image. You are blessed Diane.

Jenni said...

I love this story and how the card came to your hands. I think this was meant for you and you have used the gift so well. I would love to know their first names....?
Jenni

Lee Rider said...

Although you didn't personally know these precious girls, their spirit speaks to all of us as we think of our own inspirational families. The past really is the "present" to all of us. Thank you for sharing.

LBD
Little Black Dress

Riki Schumacher said...

Look at your pretty new blog design! LOVE it Diane, great job AGAIN Karen!! xoxo Riki

Diana said...

WOWSers!!! LOVE your new blog....so soft, romantic and very chic! Congrats! You are so blessed to have inherited all of these amazing photos of your ancestors. And we are so lucky to have you share them.
Hugs
Diana

Cindy said...

Diane, what a beautiful new blog design! It really captures the heart of Rosa & Josie's. I am hoping to update my blog soon too...it's been about three years now, right? I always remember we met over our blog designs! :-)
I absolutely love this post. I adore cabinet cards too, but I've been collecting photos that really belong to strangers. You are so fortunate to have these special photos that truly belong to family. What a story - how you inherited the house and photos..it is remarkable how all of these treasures have stayed in the family. I've always LOVED this particular photo. It is incredibly endearing - two cousins holding hands, with sweet bows in their hair, pleats in their skirts - an oh the embroidered details on the skirt! I think it was really meant to be how you've taken this special family picture and incorporated it in to your "brand" and so many class projects...from publications to now Moo cards! Thanks for sharing, Diane!

Lyn Foley said...

Beautiful post Diane, Thank you for sharing the story.

Charlene said...

Your new blog design is so pretty but, I DID LOVE the other one too with "The Sisters". The sweet faces, the beautiful blue colors you chose...But, I understand that sometimes a girl just has to change things up! I am thinking of something different for mine too. I do tire of "the same". The class at your house looks like a lot of fun! MISS YOU!
Charlene

Teka and Zoe said...

So inspired!!

Rachel said...

I am one of six daughters and this photo pulls my heart strings. I love how you have made them a part of your life and art.

Lisa said...

How sweet. I have three beautiful daughters and hope that the love they have for each other (even when they don't act that way) will endure. Thank you for sharing the picture; it made me tear up. Beautiful.