Friday, March 13, 2015

Old Turquoise and Gifting

I posted earlier in the week some beautiful old carnelian from my mother-in-law, and I promised to show you the old Indian turquoise as well. These are simple. Just baubles really, but they were designed for the wearer. 

My sister-in-law is notorious in the family. She is the one that when you've gifted her something that she knows instantly she isn't fond of, you will know it shortly there after. I've learned over the years that she really just wants a little something simple, that dangles from her ear. She isn't big on bracelets, although she has a few. She doesn't prefer necklaces as she only wears a handful if she wears one at all. It is earrings that she enjoys.

But here is the thing. She has MS, and earrings are not easy for her. She doesn't want anything fussy. She just wants a natural stone. So when my mother-in-law handed me the strand of old Indian stones at Thanksgiving, I instinctively handed it to my sister-in-law to ask which stones she liked. She said turquoise. But I knew she'd say that. 

She then reached into her purse and said, "oh I've been meaning to ask you," which usually means a jewelry project is imminent in my future. I had made a pair of simple sodalite earrings for her years ago. Apparently she had worn them so much that they were both missing earring backs, and one the jump rings to the earring post had long since broken lose. To know my sister-in-law is to know that this is a sign of love. She had worn these to death. I smiled, and said I'd fix them and send them back. I only kept the stones, and gave the rest of the setting a face lift with new silver findings. These two pair went out to her for Christmas. And I got a very sweet card back. It's funny, I've never encountered that look from her. The one when you know she doesn't like the gift.

14 comments:

  1. because you have the knack for giving people what you know THEY will love ;-)
    These are such sweet beauties -the turquoise from her mother's stash and the darling sodalites - your sister-in-law has great taste! My Aunt had MS and was hard on the jewelry she loved the most. It never bothered me to see how worn and loved those pieces were and how much they meant to her.

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  2. Cynthia, you have a real gift for matching the piece to the recipient. And the recipient's daughter.
    And mother...
    Nieces as well, lol.

    Mine!!!

    Beautiful earrings, then again, I don't think I've seen anything you've made that I didn't fall in love with.

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  3. Well who would not love to be gifted these!! They're gorgeous :)

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  4. It seems you have the magic touch when you are gifting someone! That's a great thing to have. I love both pair of earrings. Simple is sometimes best and more elegant than fancy!

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  5. What a lovely story! Gifting is one of the joys of making jewelry! It lifts my heart when someone loves what I made them as a gift so I know how special this is. But then again, how could she not love them! I think of you when I wear your lovely creations too!

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  6. Hi Cynthia,
    Those are beautiful earrings. It is not surprising that your sister-in-law loves the earrings. You are the type, that takes the time to know what the person you are creating for likes, and that makes a big difference in how the gift is received.
    Therese

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  7. They are both so pretty! I'm the same way with earrings, simple for me. How flattering that she wore the sodalite pair so often that they needed a tune up!

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  8. I agree with the comments here - both are "simply" beautiful (seriously-no pun intended). Sometimes it is best to let the stone be the headliner!

    I make some pretty extravagant (in my opinion) jewelry - some I keep and insist that one day I will wear them - but I don't! My jewelry - if I wear it all all - is always understated and simple - I get it!!

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  9. Oh wow - absolutely beautiful. Nothing like a classic, simple design! Beautifully done and beautifully said xx

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  10. What a great story. I love intricate designs. I also love clean simple designs which provide the opportunity to focus on the wonderful colors and textures of the stones.

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  11. What a great story! Really points out how you need to consider who you are gifting. And I do have to say that I love both pairs.

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  12. What a great story! Really points out how you need to consider who you are gifting. And I do have to say that I love both pairs.

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  13. Lovely earrings!!! nice story!!
    Have a good week!! and my g+ for you!!!:)))

    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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  14. Love your blog!!!
    Started following your blog via GFC, would you like to follow me?

    ≂Angeℒ ica≂

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