Saturday, October 30, 2010

Weekly Challenge: Week 22 reliquary


matchbook, mica, copper, paper, paint, used matchstick

This relic really didn't have any super special meaning (neither did many of my organic relics). I used it to light the scented candle in my studio. I light it whenever I feel a need for focus and introspection. Not sure why I decided to save this particular one.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Weekly Challenge: Week 22 relic


used matchstick

Weekly Challenge: Week 21 reliquary


original floral packaging, velvet, paper, glitter, preserved gardenia corsage worn for my Mom's memorial service

Sometimes a week is just not long enough.
I wanted to keep a Victorian feel with this one and then just ran out of time.
I have a whole other idea in all white.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Weekly Challenge: Week 21 relic



what it looked like on the day I wore it 

preserved gardenia corsage worn for Mom's memorial service (wednesday 2/15/06).
This was also the day she was cremated.
Mom's birthday is next weekend, on October 24th, so I thought this would be appropriate. Gardenia's were one of her favorite flowers. If you asked each of my sisters what her favorite flower was, we'd all give different answers. And we would all be right. She was funny like that.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Monday, October 11, 2010

Weekly Challenge: Week 20 relic




nyc gumball machine ring

I got this sometime in the 1990's while living in NYC. I have no idea where exactly or why I kept it so long. It's just one of those things that follows me around, I guess. This particular relic is part of the unintentional orange theme this month. I was also inspired by my New Orleans trip this weekend (a fabulous destination wedding, constant celebrations with my chosen family and a visit to my friend's jewelry boutique). This relic seems to encompass all that so this should be fun!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Weekly Challenge: Week 19 reliquary



corsage-brooch made from leftover fabric from my wedding dress, garment tag from my wedding dress

I was at a loss about what to do with this one. On one hand I wanted to enshrine it under glass so I wouldn't lose it. But the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to actually iron it on like Mom asked me to in the first place. hi mom. But I didn't really want to iron it because I was afraid it would somehow lose some of its magic.
I eventually decided that it would be cathartic to just do it. And so I did.

side note: today is actually our 9 year anniversary and I will be posting my next relic on Monday since we will be out of town. cheers!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Weekly Challenge: Week 19 relic




with my accomplice
with my nephew Ty
garment tag for my wedding dress (it's about 2" x 1")

My mom made my wedding dress for our October 7, 2001 wedding. I remember helping her cut it out and piece it together from two different patterns in my sister Carla's apartment (aka Hernandez headquarters). Mom had bronchitis and didn't tell us how badly she was feeling at the time. Stubborn! She eventually landed back in the hospital. She told me to hang on to the tag on which she wrote "mom '01". I was supposed to iron it into my dress. I obviously didn't (sorry mom) but I did keep it. I'll have to find a photo with a better view of the dress. It has a flamenco style train, which isn't evident in these pics.
Mom was a doll maker, quilter and loved to sew. She made all our prom dresses, and lots of our clothing as we were growing up. Of course I wanted her to make my dress! I think this may have been one of the last things she made before she ended up in and out of hospitals, until she died. Sisters, correct me if I'm wrong.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Weekly Challenge: Week 18 reliquary






oxidized sterling silver, raw cut opal

My aunt is down to earth, kind, lovable and has always been there for me. She's been my second mom my whole life. She's a true flower child and I didn't want this piece to lose that feel by being flashy and shiny. I went with a virtual hug, so to speak, using a tension fit around the opal. It's worn, raw and the inner beauty shines through.

Happy Birthday auntie Donna!