woodland wishes

i must have been a little old woman in another lifetime (and am heading rapidly into being one now, i suppose):  for over 25 years i've been consumed with collecting antique lace and trim - the buttons and beads, the scraps of embroidered fabric, the velvet and silk and linen that remind me of some place in time that is far, so far, from here. back in the early 80's, before either of the boys was born, i began doing free lance work for a small antique shop in chapel hill, north carolina that sold linens and estate jewelry.  lovely things, i made for them - sweaters patchworked with scraps of intricate lace, overlaid with strips of lovely ribbon.  the sweaters became more and more dimensional, the dimensions turned into focal points of taffeta-backed sashes, and the focal points transformed themselves, finally, into one of a kind pieces of jewelry.  that was in 1982 - twenty five full years ago, when i was young and green and seemed to have all the time in the world laying out in front of me.  and here i am now, still making the jewelry, still fussing with little bits of beautiful trimmings from another century. 
sometimes i sew with pliers and wire, sometimes with a needle and thread; but always the stitching leads to embellishment of artwork, whether bookwork or mixed media or something to wear around one's neck.  i sew, i lead the needle, i finger the fabric that will become the canvas of someone's imagination. a little snippet of embroidery peeks through a window, just so, like this, a little tendril winds through a silver garden gate.  oh, the stories it can tell, the places it can carry you, or me.

so (sew)...  from my little trip into the past i bring you back to here.  on these blustery, cold winter days and nights i have been tinkering with tiny little antique silvery beads, a gift from a dear friend to use as i please.  sometimes these gifts sit for months, even years, until the inspiration strikes again, until a notion comes to me when out walking under the bare silver branches of my quiet winter days. this little line of soon-to-be necklaces i am calling woodland wishes - pieces that depict my quiet walks on deserted december trails, where ice forms frosty fingers, where powdery white is dusted across the forest floor.  it is a quiet and simple pleasure to sit with a jewelry tray in my lap these winter evenings, a warm fire flickering in the hearth, little white lights twinkling across my mantel, where the lights and the houses and the little trees stay all the year long, a holiday world that doesn't go away. make a wish, i say.  make a quiet wish upon a thousand sparkling stars, while standing out under the shelter of a thousand winter trees.  xo

Comments

[Christie Inge]

I have always been really inspired by stars - both the stars outside and the shape of the star in general. I have stars all over my house - needless to say, I love this.

<3

[Tina in McLeansville]

absolutely beautiful, the stars on a winter night..so clear...almost like i could reach up and pluck one, hold it in my hand and with my eyes closed make a wish then blow that star back up into the sky...i've wished a wish and then another and then more...but always the same...you know. hugs...xo

[Mo'a]

Beautiful pieces and a great theme. Your winter evening sound cozy.

[sabrina]

i too have been stitching away,and while my colors are more toward the jewel tones,i am much inspired by your lovely whites and creams.

[Linda]

I love antique lace and fabrics too and just love how you put things together and make sure "gorgeousness"....... And those winer wonderland necklaces are so beautiful. I can't wait to see all the finished necklaces!

[julie whitmore]

I love the words you are putting together, and the garden gate piece has baited me, i want to see what the whole piece looks like!
xx

[Teri Mahl]

Nina--I love these pieces that you are putting together. You are so creative. And your words are always so crisp and neat. How do you stamp them into the metal and make them look so great? I have tried a bit occasionally for my art and they always get a bit "smooshed" looking. What's your secret? Do you have any of the clothing still that you could show us? Maybe a photo or something? They sound incredible!!! Anything with fabric, notions, lace, etc. has me from the first look.

[Renate]

Your pieces are always like poetry and I am entranced.

[Lorri Scott]

Love the starry night necklace and especially the cast acorns. So sweet. You know we share the love of vintage textiles and it is so inspiring to see what you create with them.

xxox

[Sandy]

Nina,

I never step into your realm of creativity without leaving inspired and breathless. How does one get lucky enough to purchase one of your creations? The nest necklace with vintage bits and bobs is divine! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

[Lynette Anderson]

I gasped when I saw what you are working on at the moment. Looks like I am going to 'need' another necklace.......'starry night'.....has my name on it I think!
Lynettex

[Jessica]

It all looks gorgeous and inspiring! I can't wait to see all of the finished pieces!

[sandra]

You are that part of all of us helping us to expand our horizons. I see lace through your eyes; lace seems eternal like the clouds...
Thank you.

[Michelle Brown]

The lace is just gorgeous! Love your round metal tags too.

[Lorraine]

I feel like I've been transported into another world with all these pieces! I just may end up visiting longer than expected...