There have been blog hops throughout 2012, all which sounded amazing and all I missed with the adventure that last year Was. When I read about this one, I decided that it couldn't be missed. I knew who I would pay honor to, what stories I could share, and finally the time to dedicate to such a proposition. What I did not count on was the Missing, the backlog of emotion, the quiet tears and the resultant migraine headache.
I chose to make a bracelet for my friend Carol, who left this earth for larger spaces in 2005. We met in Birmingham Alabama in 1995. As the Manager of a store that sold museum replica art, we met when she came for an interview as a sales person. She was tiny, about 5'1", wearing sensible shoes and a lovely white blouse. (I was later to learn that she was the Imelda Marcos of white blouses that she swore could be worn for any occasion!) When she began to speak, I was enthralled with her deep, gravely voice and an accent that I later found was from New Orleans. She was 60, newly divorced and looking for the chance to complete part of her bucket list. I found her presence enthralling, and hired her on the spot.
We began a friendship that was the most remarkable that I have ever had the joy to experience. The 25 years difference in our ages melted away in spirited discussions on every subject imaginable. We shared every aspect of our lives and we both shared the same quirky sense of humor and could elicit nearly hysterical laughter from the other. There was just so much happiness and genuine love between us. She knew that I had studied art and always encouraged me to find my way back to my first love. Not in just selling art created by long dead other artists, but to seek out my own muse, my own creative spirit, my own voice. She nicknamed me the White Witch because, as she used to quip, "There is just always a feeling of magic around you, like you belong in Stonehenge."
Carol blessed my life in many ways, not the least in introducing me to my wonderful husband, who it turned out had been a friend of hers for years too! It was as though heaven and earth moved all things in her life, in mine and even my husband's life, to allow us such an amazing time together. When I was growing up, my Mom would tell me that if I lived my whole life and could count on one hand life's true friendships, I would be lucky. As the years passed in knowing Carol, I understood what she meant.
Whenever we were just hanging out, or would go grab a hamburger at our favorite place, there we would be in our blue jeans and white blouses, with the cuffs turned back to show off our mutual adoration for bracelets...the bolder, the better!
In memory of Carol, I chose to make a bracelet lovingly hand made in copper, the color of Dewar's Scotch, her favorite. Then I added blues with lots of variation and enameled beads. And to bring things full circle, I chose to use lamp work glass beads from a new friend, Jan Thompson at JanZartGlass.
A toast to Carol.
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| Carol's Charm |
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26 comments:
What a beautiful toast to a charming friend! How could "the Imelda Marcos of White Blouses" not love this!!!
Very pretty bracelet and I'm calling my best friend this weekend! Bless you!
A beautiful bracelet; she sounds like a wonderful person.
Carol sounds like the friend everyone wants to have. You made a lovely piece for her.
Tracy, I'll bet your wonderful friend Carol would have been proud to wear this lovely bracelet! Thank you for sharing such a precious memory.
A heartwarming story - with a gorgeous piece as a tribute for a special friend. Your mom was right: you are lucky and blessed to have had such a presence in your life!
Lovely bracelet. Your friend Carol, indeed, sounds like she was a charm.
That is perfectly stunning, and Carol sounds so beautiful, as a person and a friend. I love your tribute to her! You are as special as she!
xox jean
I met my best friend at 6 and she has the most infectious laugh of all time. At least, I cannot NOT join her if she is laughing. This got us into all kinds of trouble over the years. I am imaging your friend just like that. you get drawn to that essence. THank you for sharing, I am a blue girl myself and that is one stunning bracelet!
I love the piece you made to honor your friend.The story was wonderful and made me tear up.Thank you for sharing it! :)
You were definitely blessed to know Carol and I bet she felt the same way. I love the fact that the copper matches her favorite drink - your bracelet is lovely!
How lucky you and Carol were to be friends. The bracelet is lovely - great colors. Thanks for sharing.
~cryssT
Friends like Carol are a blessing. I'm glad you have a decade of wonderful memories to remember her by. I love the gorgeous colours of your bracelet - such a fitting way to honour the memory of you friend.
Tracy your bracelet is beautiful. It's a wonderful tribute to Carol. Thanx for sharing.
A wonderful story of a true friendship, thank you for sharing with us. You have made a beautiful bracelet (I love copper too) in tribute to her!
I love your bracelet, coppers and blues and meant for each other, what a wonderful tribute.
It is such a blessing to have a great and true friend. Your creation is so beautiful. What a lovely tribute to a wonderful friend.
It is indeed a great blessing to have a true and great friend. I love your beautiful creation and it is a fitting tribute to a wonderful friend.
I adore this bracelet! Your friend is sure to love it. A beautiful tribute for sure! Hope you enjoyed the hop!
Hugs
Terri G.
And I am so blessed to have you as a new friend. I hope that we can meet soon. The bracelet is wonderful, who would have though that that bead could be made to look so pretty. Thanks Tracy, for everything. XX
Wonderful story about friendship and gorgeous bracelet. I agree about the number of true friends and how special those friendships can be.
Love your bracelet and your story. Thanks for sharing!
What a gorgeous tribute to your friend! I am sure she would love it! Love that she introduced you to your DH!
Your friend sounds like she was an awesome lady. Your bracelet is very beautiful - it is a lovely tribute to your friend.
Beautiful bracelet and thank you for sharing...
Peace and Love..
I love your story and your bracelet that honors your true, good friend! Plus, I've always loved beautiful crisp, white blouses! Going to check out your new friend's lampwork beads, too. Sorry so late in hopping with this hop, we've been following our senior daughter and her basketball games. Fun times! Thanks for your sweet comments on my jewelry. Have a great week! :)
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