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Thursday, April 21, 2011

THE LADY SLIPPER...

Creativity often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were thought up only a little more than a century ago?

Bernice Fitz-Gibbon
The little pile of left over vintage supplies sat resting in a shallow glass dish like cast offs waiting to be sorted with their like kind or possibly made over into something special. Small and insignificant, not really large enough to be kept but just wonderful enough to be crafted with, they waited.One day fingers sifted through the minuscule parts, touching vintage pearls and paste stones from an old broken necklace, a snippet of French wire beading, a scrap of ivory silk, a piece of old hand written text, a glass bead, mother of pearl buttons, little pieces of fabrics and ribbons, metal braided brass trim, even an old rusty washer, caressing each one while willing them to reveal their intended design.Splayed out they resembled something royal and regal in tone and texture. Little fragments of history, pieces of someones life; clothing, jewelry, buttons, trims and lace that once graced and adorned flesh and bone. Text that was illegibly scribbled by a human hand. It seemed only fitting and honoring to mold them into something representative of their previous owners, all of whom were women.They were arranged and rearranged, snipped, molded, glued, sewn, and manipulated in a most unusual manner to form a tiny ladies slipper...Whom ever the women were that wore the faded paste jewel and pearl necklace, The ivory silk blouse with mother of pearl buttons, Who crocheted the lace, Or beaded the French wire designs, Or scribbled on a piece of paper, I hope they are honored by this tribute to their feminine qualities. The inspiration of their past is carrying over into my present infusing and influencing my designs using little pieces of texture and textiles from their lives. Creativity, in this case, really was a matter of turning up what was already there before me, a scattering of supplies and the spirit of the women whose touch still lingered on the objects inspiring this tribute to the mystique of all things feminine.

I am linking up with Debra of Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday.
I hope you all have a wonderfully blessed Easter weekend!

18 comments:

Vee said...

Now that is the most lovely of all lady slippers I have ever seen. I'd have loved a glimpse into the before when when the elements were mere cast-offs. I love the tribute to those women. I'm sure they could have never imagined how their trinkets and buttons and garments would create such a delight. (Love the presentation on a daffodil, too.)

Have as restful and joyous and amazing weekend as you can stand, my friend.

Angie said...

Hi Sandy. I truly enjoyed your lovely photos and writing!

A Blessed Easter to you too.

Angie

The Feathered Nest said...

Dear Sandy, what a precious work of art!!!!! I love it all so much and love that you've created a beautiful box to house your lady slipper! Absolutely lovely sweet friend...wishing you a blessed Easter, hugs and love, Dawn

Sonya Badgley said...

Oh Sandy, I have so missed your posts! And this one was a beautiful one. You are so creative in your art and your writing. Thank you for sharing, dear friend.
Many blessings on your Easter SONday.
Hugs,
Sonya

Unknown said...

Very very beautiful! Back then it was too bad to have long dresses, to cover such lovelies. I wish you that the Easter holidays bring you some rest and hapiness. I hope that some problems solve themselves and that everything will be well again!

Hugs,

Anonymous said...

Sandy, I cannot imagine any woman not wanting to wear a pair of these if they were made into real shoes!
Each one gets more beautiful!

Hugs, Diane

Fete et Fleur said...

Sandy, it is gorgeous! Beauty has been done with those glorious bits and pieces.

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Easter time.

Hugs!
Nancy

Dorthe said...

Oh dear Sandy- they are the most beautiful little bit of art work-how beautiful in form and so wonderfully embellished with everything lovely,to be found. You are a master ,dear--and the box is gorgeus,too .
I wish you a happy easter, dear.
Hugs,Dorthe

Decor To Adore said...

Oh two please! Size 6 1/2. It seems like th perfect thing to wear to Marie Antoinette's Petit Trianon.

I have been creating a travel journal to take with me to France and have been thinking of you often as it is in the style you create that I so admire.

Perhaps when I am finished I will send it to Sommerset. Were they good about returning your art?

Anonymous said...

Lovely Lady Slippers! I thought of my mom as soon as I saw the name of your post - she loved shoes and all things vintage and feminine. Her feet were tiny, too, though perhaps not as small as this dainty little slipper. Thanks for the loveliness! Joy to you this Resurrection Day!

Unknown said...

I don't know which is more beautiful, your writing or your pretty little Lady Slipper!

LiLi M. said...

You have totally outdone yourself and that is as every frequent visitor over here knows, almost impossible. The shoes and the box are magnificent. Simply gorgeous. Another Somerset Life candidate, if you would ask me. I so much enjoy your posts Sandy, they mean so much inspiration to me, thanks for that.

Thanks for your sweet wishes, wishing you and your family a very happy Easter too! Warm wishes from afar, LiLi.

Charlene said...

MAGIC!!!!!! Sandy I tell you MAGIC just pours out of YOU! This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing & hope you have a wonderful & blessed Easter.

Also, I'm glad your Mom is doing better. Be sure & take good care of you too because this sort of thing is so hard on the care givers as well. HUGS!
Charlene

Shopgirl said...

I love this post, it makes me want to gather little things and make something special. Thank you, mary

Thespa McLaughlin said...

The shoe! Oh the shoe is the most adorable and wonderful little thing I could ever imagine. Absolutely PERFECT! So love your creations!

FredaB said...

This is the best lady slipper I have ever seen and the idfea is very clever. You did a fantastic job. I am a new follower but will be back regularly.

Hugs

FredaB

Laurie said...

That little slipper is to die for! Sandy, I was at Karla's Birdsong event this past weekend and wanted to thank you for the beautiful gifts you sent along for us! I love the tag and the package of bird-themed embellishments is just divine. We all loved them! You were so generous; I hope you'll be able to join us in person next time!

Ivy and Elephants said...

I just found your lovely blog. All I can say is .... lucky me. Your work is amazing! Can't wait to see more.
Patricia

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