Treasure Box

 

The other day, I was blessed by a gift in the mail from the very thoughtful and generous Michelle Adams.  I'm so fortunate to have such wonderful readers...you're always sending me fabulous treasures!  I want to show you what was in the box.

First of all, look at this lovely, vintage tatting.  I have a few pieces of old tatting that I've been incorporating into some of my jewelry but this will be a wonderful addition.  I can't wait to use some of it.

 

Thanks to my very generous readers, my collection of antique prayer books and Bibles is steadily growing.  Thank you, Michelle, for these two tiny prayer books, both very old.  One was printed in 1886, the other in 1887.  Also, this lovely monogrammed sterling thingy.  I'm not sure what this is but it's going to make a fabulous jewelry element.

 

Did you notice the vintage, glass rosary and medals?  Also, in the box was an old mother-of-pearl buckle as well as...

 

...a very old button card, complete with glass buttons.  This is probably one of those things I won't be able to tear up and use.  I have a real affinity for old things and a tendency to want to keep them in their original state.  This is very inconvenient at times!

 

I just love the old photos Michelle included.  Both of these were shot right outside an ice cream parlor, which is probably now long gone.  The little dog in this one  reminds me of my Maggie.

 

And here's the whole family, out for a Sunday ice cream.  Can you imagine what a treat this must have been for these little guys?

 

I have a pretty large collection of old prayer cards.  Inside the books, were three very old cards.  The religious imagery on these cards is often beautiful but, I think what I like best is the idea of someone holding these cards in their hands for comfort....praying over them.

 

I believe the black beads are probably from a piece of mourning jewelry and quite old.  They appear to be jet and are on a very old, crusty string, knotted between each bead.  The beads themselves are very oddly shaped and somewhat pitted and worn.  Jet is sort of like petrified wood and forms when waterlogged wood sinks to the bottom of a body of water and becomes covered with mud.  Over time, with heat and pressure, it forms into a coal-like stone.  It's lighter weight than glass which makes me think these beads may be jet.

So, there you have it...my treasures of the week.

Comments

[Amy Steinberg]

Oh My! Those are wonderful treasures! I can't wait to see what you do with them. :-)

[Mija]

What lovelies for you to create with and what a lovely friend you have in Michelle. Looking forward to seeing how these treasures inspire you. Your friends look out for you on your mission of sharing and transforming beauty... we just can help it! :-D

[Christine Damm]

As lovely and inspirational as these objects are, it takes a real person with a lovely, humble and grateful spirit to transform them from mere things to something "sublime"-- and you're the gal to do it!

[Seth]

What a wondeful gift. And your photographs are treasures too...so well designed.

[Cindy]

Hi Deryn
What beautiful, special treasures. The old rosary is so dear, as well as those black and white photos. The one outside of the ice cream parlor reminded me of my own family, with boys and a baby! :-) I picked up the two new publications that you are in yesterday and enjoyed reading them and learning something new. I want to collect elements to create a tiara too! I need something girly in a house of all boys!!!

[Gretchen Schaumann]

You are incredibly fortunate to have wonderful and generous people in your lives like this that so willingly share such precious finds. Love everything and your photos are awesome as well.
Gretchen
http://www.mimitoriasdesigns.blogspot.com

[Ken Mueller]

Thanks Deryn for providing ideas for my own pictures. I play the trombone for the same reason I take pictures. Doing something in a less good manner allows one to appreciate those who really do things well.

[pilar]

What a wonderful and special treasure box you have received! I agree; I think the black beads are from a mourning necklace. They look like they are real jet. I can't wait to see what you do with them! : D

[Violet @Create Beauty]

What beautiful treasures! I am not familiar with prayer cards. I am intrigued now! I love old Bibles. I have picked up a couple at thrift stores to use the old pages - but so far can't seem to let myself tear any out...

[Dale]

how wonderful! It must be so exciting to recieve such beautiful treasures. I am especially amazed by the beautiful metal pendant-y thing. So very fascinating!

[lee w.]

You are one lucky girl. Each piece is just amazing. I would love to see all of it!!

[jenn desjardins]

I guess you are blessed. That is just amazing!

[Deirdra Doan]

Your art is so beautiful!!! I think I should just steal your blog interview...because I would say the same thing...but alas I have to write my own....your line
"He took my broken, inferior life and transformed it, and me, into something of higher worth." is really really my story too! I will be teaching at Art and Soul Oct. too. Hope to meet you!
Blessings,
Deirdra

[Mary Newton]

It must have seemed like Christmas to open such wonderful treasures. You sure have some wonderful friends!

[Michelle]

Your pictures make it look so much nicer than I remember it looking when I sent it off! lol So glad you liked it!

[Teresa McFayden]

Ooooh what a sweetie she is for sending you such goodies!!

[diane cook]

How thoughtful of Michelle to gift you with such wonderful elements to have and/or to use. I know what you mean about the buttons, as I love the button cards as much as the buttons themselves.
And the beautiful vintage tatting is starting to make me drool right about now =)

[Jennifer Conway]

wow, wow, wow! That really is the treasure of the week. Beautiful treasures (and beautiful photo's too). I'll now keep my eyes open for prayer books for you!