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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

TINY TOMES...

TOME:  A volume forming part of a larger work; book

~ Merriam-Webster ~

 I have been working on small parts of larger works, tiny tomes created to mimic antique books for some new jewelry designs.  Books have always played a large part of my life.  I was an early and avid reader as a child.  Books were my friends and means of travel, escape, and doorway to knowledge.  As an only child they were often my companions.
As a child I played "library".  On most Saturdays I would set up my "library" in our formal dining room using the big lace covered dining table as my desk.  My mother indulged me by letting me remove items from a shelf or two of her whatnot cabinet and fill them with my books.  I created library cards for the neighborhood children and our rarely used front door became my grand library entrance.  I would sit on a stack of large books piled up in a chair so I would appear more adult and invite the children in the check out books.

My mother would often take a break from her Saturday cleaning and read a story to the group.  Now, my mother was not and is not an animated type of person, she is pretty no nonsense, but you put a book in her hand and as she began to read aloud a transformation took place.  She would relax and the best part was that she did the "voices" of the characters.  One of the begged for neighborhood favorites was The Tales of Uncle Remus.  Being from the South and growing up in rural farm community which boasts a twang and language all its own, she would lapse back into her native dialect, it was both enchanting and fascinating to hear.

My mother read to me every night of my childhood.  I often lay in bed staring at her lips as they formed the words and listened to her voice lift and lilt with expression and feeling.  She never tired of reading and I could beg and beg for another book and she kept going until I fell asleep.  I think we both sort of missed those times of reading aloud when I grew older.  We still read together in the same space only quietly and separately pursuing our own tastes in tomes.

She was the first one to foster my love of words and reading.  She was the one who influenced and introduced me to the magic of moving through worlds unknown, places of imagination, and she gave me the gift of books.

I am hoping to foster that same gift to a few of those on my gift giving list this year with a custom jewelry piece inspired by books and the library as well as nice hardbound volume that will take them on a magical journey of words.

What is your all time favorite book and/or book related memory?

blessings,
sandy

11 comments:

bobbie said...

Another book lover here... I get completely lost in the stories...
What a wonderful memory you have of reading with your mom ~ mine never read TO me, but she always had her nose stuck in one; guess I learned through osmosis! Hubby sez I don't read books; I inhale them! ;)
No specific reading memories; any time I'm reading is wonderful!!! Especially old favorites I've read dozens of times...

bobbie said...

PS ~ your little book are adorable! I can't wait to see how you use them!

Vee said...

Those wee volumes are amazing! This description of your library days and the reeading your mother did was so enjoyable to read.

Createology said...

I do love books however my younger sister really loves books. She honestly gets lost in the pages she is reading. My favorite book is a small little prayer book that long ago lost its cover and has my scribbles on the pages. I cherish this little book. Your love of books combined with your jewelry will be amazing. Creative Book Bliss...

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I was an only child too and raised on a farm and there weren't many kids to play with nearby. Books were my friends, and still are. When I was 14 I rode my bike five miles so I could volunteer in the little community library in the summertime. My first job included being a part-time secretary in a high school library. When I joined the local quilt guild, I pretty much immediately became their librarian and held that position for a number of years. We won't mention the fact that our bed doesn't require legs because it's pretty much held up with the piles of books underneath. I'm at the local library at least twice a week too. So all that to say that books are pretty important in my life too. Your wee books are so wonderful and I know the recipients will absolutely love them.

Marrianna said...

I don't remember my mother ever reading to me. I was raised by a single mom who worked and didn't have a lot of time. In our apartments, she had a TV to entertain me and the neighbor kids. I grew up watching TV and still do a lot of TV watching. However, sometime in my junior high days, our TV wasn't working and I needed something to entertain myself. I read a book by Pearl Buck but am not sure about the title, maybe something about concubine. Anyway, I loved reading. By the time I finished the book, the TV was repaired and I didn't do a lot of reading for a lot of years. In my early 30s, I started reading for escape. I used to read historical romances purchased from a used bookstore. My mother was reading the same types of books and would give me her books after she was done. When she lost her eyesight due to macular degeneration, reading was the one activity that she really, really missed. We were able to start getting free audio books from the lending library. That helped but it wasn't the same. She doesn't listen to books anymore and is fading at 92+ with dementia. But this gives me an idea: When I'm with her on Thanksgiving, I'll bring a book and read to her. Whether she understands anything (she is also hard of hearing), maybe my voice will be a comfort to her.

Thank you for this post. Very thought provoking for me. I'm also doing my best to be more interactive with other bloggers.

Blessings, Marrianna

Vee said...

I vow never to visit you via the iPad again. Oh my! Anyway, I was just checking to see if the comment went through. I had already lost two. There had been so much more to say, but I'll save it for an email sometime.

Tina said...

Love your tiny books Sandy - it´s such a great idea. I love books too - such a huge part of my life, also the creative one.
Thank you so much for your comment on my post about the latest creations. (not bear related) You're right about the changings over here. Not sure how things will turn out in the future, but something is different...

Blessings from Cindy said...

How lovely! I haven't been able to visit regularly, but saw your post & had to respond. My fav book is Little Women. I still have my childhood version that I love. Our first grandson was born on Nov. 19th, 5 1/2 wks early & his daddy is reading to him all the time. He just listens to his voice & I love watching them. He is doing great! What a special gift, the gift of reading!! I will have to try to make a tiny book for an ornament for little Nolan.
Blessings,
Cindy

Unknown said...

My second attempt at submitting a comment. My parents instilled a love of books and when at a very young age I started writing poetry, they bought me my first book titled "A Little Treasury of Modern Poetry." That book is one of my prized posessions as are all the books that they gave me. I also enjoy making jewelry so discovering your blog was a gem. I came upon your blog while visiting the blog about using fragile papers. Thanks for sharing your lovely story about your mother, as it's brought a back a rush of treasured memories. Lovely comments as well.

Unknown said...

I just discovered your blog from visiting another blog about creating things from fragile papers. I love both fragile papers and books so your blog was a gem. Your blog was very thought provoking because my parents instilled a love of reading and were voracious readers. When, at a very early age I started writing poetry they bought me my first book which is titled "A Little Treasury of Modern Poetry." My favorite poem was by Robert Frost. There are many memories that revolve around books. Thanks for sharing your lovely library days.

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