Saturday, January 12, 2013

Memories and Thanks Blog Hop

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
They stay in our lives for awhile,
leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.
T.J. 1 week old. 
And so it is when you give birth to your first child.

Good morning and welcome to the reveal of Lori Anderson's Memories and Thanks Blog Hop. If you're not family with the story about why Lori initiated this blog hop, it's heart-wrenching. Lori Marianna wished to participate in the Bead Soup Blog Hop but didn't have a blog. Lori helped her with this and Mari began blogging. When the date for sign-ups came and went, yet Mari hadn't signed up, Lori became worried and sent her several emails. Then one day her daughter contacted Lori to let her know Marianna had passed away unexpectedly. To say it threw Lori for a loop is an understatement.

Marianna's daughter forwarded a package to Lori that her mother had intended to send before her death. Lori had known about the package. She hadn't been prepared, though, for each bead/set in the box to be individually wrapped with a note in Mari's handwriting about each bead. That's when Lori decided to make a very special piece using these treasures and to invite anyone who would like to remember someone living or passed to participate in this very special blog hop. I knew, immediately, that I wanted to participate. I knew who I wanted to remember and I knew with what. This is something that is very near and dear to my heart.
T.J. at 15
We lost our beautiful 19 year old son T.J., our oldest, 8 1/2 years go, very suddenly, very tragically. I've written about T, briefly, on his own page here on the blog. T was big, strong, and healthy. The irony was not lost on us that the only part of him that was injured was his brain, his brain was the part of him that didn't "function" right. T was an organ donor; 5 people who were dying are alive today because of his gift of life, 2 people who were going blind can now see. Countless others will be healed with his gift of tissue and bone.

T had a huge heart. All he wanted was to be happy and love/be loved. He didn't think that anyone other than his family loved or cared about him. He was so wrong about that. The funeral home stopped counting at 1,400 the day of his wake; the church was filled to overflowing - he touched so many lives in so many ways. He still does. We love him and miss him every minute of every day, but we go on and we try to do it with as much happiness as we can muster, because it's what he'd want.
When I saw this heart pendant on Ebay in 2005 I was immediately drawn to it. It was made by Aimee of Lakeside Lampwork. I'm not sure if she's still making beads or not, I couldn't find any active links. It's a beautiful sculpted, electroformed lampwork heart with a citrine chip dangling in the middle of the opening. I believe the heart was formed on a heart-shaped mandrel - it really is so perfect.
I love me some sparkle and vintage beads so I've included Swarovski crystals in purple velvet and crystal copper, vintage amber colored lucite, some beautiful iridescent copper/iris pearls, some Unicorne Beads drops, amethyst rondelles and some amethyst and copper beads. Amethyst is T.J.'s birthstone, I think it's the perfect accent for the copper and amber. Copper is healing and increases energy - necessary on so many levels.
 Heart of My Heart
Sorry for the dark pics, it's overcast and rainy this morning. Thanks for stopping by! Please visit these other wonderful artists to read the stories behind the art they've created in memory of someone they love.

  Hostess, Lori Anderson       Pretty Things
 Adlinah Kamsir                   Dream Struck Designs
 Aimee Biondolillo               Aimee's Jewelry Treasures
 Alicia Marinache                 All the Pretty Things 
 Andra Marasteanu               Handmade by Indra Marasteanu 
 Andrea Trank                      Heaven Lane Creations
 April Grinaway                   Brooklyn Bead Goddess
Barb Solem                         Vivi Magoo Presents
Becky Pancake                    Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery                         Stories by Indigo Heart
Bonnie Coursolle                Jasper's Gems
Cassi Paslick                       Beads: Rolling Downhill
Catherine King                    Catherine's Musings
Cece Cormier                      The Beading Yogini
Chandra Leitz                     Juniper Goods
Charissa Nesler                   FireStorm Designs
Charlie Jacka                       Clay Space
Christina Hickman              Vintage Treasures Jewelry
Christine Stonefield            Sweet Girl Design
Chrizette Bayman               Bead Soup Mix
Cindy Wilson                      It's My Sea of Dreams
Crystal Thain                      Here Bead Dragons
Cyndi Lavin                        Beading Arts
Debbie Rasmussen             A little of this, a little of that
Denielle Hagerman             Some Beads... and other things I like
Diana Gonzalez                  Arte y Poemas
Diane Hawkey                    diane hawkey
Dita Basu                            ankarshilpa
Donetta Farrington             Simply Gorgeous
Dyanne Everett-Cantrell     Deeliteful Jewelry Creations
Emma Todd                        A Polymer Penchant
Erin Kenny                         beadiful therapy
Erin Prais-Hintz                  Treasures Found
Gina Hockett                      Freestyle Elements
Gloria Allen                        Innovative Dreams Jewelry
Heather Marston                 CSW Designs
Inge von Roos                    Inge's Blog
Jacqueline Marchant          Fiddledeedee Jewelry
Jami Shipp                         Celebrating Life!
Jean Yates                          Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading to Do!
Jennifer Reno                     Musings of a Crafty Jenny
Jenny Robledo                   Peppa's Dream
Jennifer VanBenschoten    Jewelry, Art and Life
Jessica Klaaren                  Cellar Door Jewelry
Jessica Murray                   Whimsical Monkey
Joan Williams                     lilruby jewelry
Jo-Ann Woolverton            It's a Beadiful Creation
Joanne Browne                   josjewels1
Jodie Marshall                    Jodie Marshall Lampwork Beads Wearable Art
Johanna Rhodes                 Fire Phoenix Creations
John Rasmussen                 Rasumussen Gems and Jewelry LLC
JuLee Wolfe                       The Polymer Penguin
Julie Bean                           Blue Pig Blog
Karen Mitchell                   Over the Moon Designs
Karin King                         The Sparklie Things Blog
Karin Slaton                       Backstory Beads
Kat Douglas                       Washoe Kat's
Kay Bolton                        Toodles and Binks
Kelly Hosford Patterson     The Traveling SideShow
Kim Ballor                          Vitamin C ... A Daily Does of Creativity
Kim Dworak                       CianciBlue
Kim Houston                       The Pink Martini
Kym Hunter                         Kym Hunter Designs
Laren Dee Barton                Laren Dee Designs
Lea Avroch                          LA Jewelry Designs
Leanne Loftus                      First Impression Design
Lena Adams (Mari's daughter) -- TBA
Liddy McLaughlin               Liddy McLaughlin Art
Linda Florian                       Lily's of the Valley Jewelry & Creative Creations
Linda Inhelder                     Must-Haves Jewelry
Lisa Hamilton                      Simply Irresistable Jewelry
Lisa Suver                            Fancee That
Lori Bowring Michaud        Artfully Ornamental
Lori Poppe                           Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean
LouAnn Elwell                    Southpass Beads
Mandi Effron                       Craft-o-licious
Marcia DeCoster                 MadDesigns
Marcia Dunne                     The Alternative Foundry
Marie Covert                      Creating Interest
Marjorie Savill Linthwaite     bennubirdrising
Marlene Cupo                        Amazing Designs by Marlene
Martha Aleo                           Ornamento
Marti Conrad                          Marti's Buttons -n- Beads
Mary Ellen Parker                  BeeTree by m.e.
Mary Govaars                        MLH Jewelry Designs
Mary Lindell                          Mary Lindell Artisan Jewelry
Maureen Connolly                 Mrs Beadsley's Workshop
Maybeline Tay                       The Jewelry Larder
Melissa Elgin                         The Addicted Beader
Melissa Mesara                      one-eared pig beads
Menka Gupta                         Menka's Jewelry
Michaela Pabeschitz              la mar de bonita
Mischelle Fanucchi               Micheladas Musings
Mona Rae Baroody               Who Does She Bead She Is?
Nan Emmett                          Spirit Rattles -- Spirited Earth
Nancy Pedersen                    Something Heartfelt by Nancy
Natalie Davidson                  NorthShore Days
Nikki Douglas                      Bead It and Weep
Pam Farren                           re-maker
Pam, the Crazier Sister        The Crazy Creative Corner
 Priya Krish                           Hellopalz 
Rebecca Anderson               Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag                 Becca's Place
Robin Kae Reed                   Artistry HCBD
Rochelle Brisson                  a creative chelle
Sabine Dittrich                     perlendschungel
Sandi Volpe                          Sandi Volpe
Sandra McGriff                    Creative Chaos
Sarah Goode                         Pookledo
Sarah Singer                         String a Song of Sixpence
Serena Trent                         All Things Made Jewelry
Shai Williams                       Shaiha's Ramblings
Sharon Palac                        Sharon's Jewelry Garden
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson    Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections
Sheila Davis                         Stone Designs
Shelley Graham Turner        Fabric of My Life
Sherri Stokey                       Knot Just Macrame
Sherry Baun                         Unicorns Jewels
Skylar Bre'z                         Brising Beads
Stephanie Haussler              Pixybug Designs
Tania Spivey                        Moobie Grace Designs
Terri G.                                Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter                         Tapping Flamingo
Terry Matuszyk                    Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry
Toltec Jewels                       Jewel School Friends
Tracy Kruse                         Goldkisses Art
Tracy Martin                        Nutkitten's Jewelry 
Zia Parks                              Anzi~Panzi's Work Shoppe 
Zoe Marcin                          Beads, Tea and Sweets

26 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous necklace - I'm sure your son would have loved it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a wonderful way to honor and express your love for your son. While his loss will never fade, neither will his gifts, or the love that surrounds them.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful tribute piece to the memory of your son. That heart focal really says it all.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It is just not in the scheme of it all for our children to leave us behind. Take comfort always in the years you had, and the love that he was surrounded with. God Bless

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your tribute to your son is beautiful. The lovely piece you created with the heart pendant will always be a fond reminder of his life and your love for him. *Hugs*

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful and touching words and work, thank you for sharing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. So sorry for your loss...this is a wonderful tribute to your son. The necklace you created is so special for so many reasons and just beautiful as well.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your son was a beautiful young man....I"m so sorry for your loss. Your tribute is heartfelt and beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your tribute piece it your son is wonderful. The heart is very unique and it tells the story well.Your story is very moving. I'm sure he would be proud of what you made for him.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am so sorry about the loss of your son. Your tribute to him is both beautiful and heartfelt and your necklace is also both.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This brought me to tears...your sweet memories of your son are perfectly represented in the beautiful necklace you made.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It must be the most horrible experience for a mother to lost her own child so young. Your tribute to him touches my heart!

    ReplyDelete
  13. My heart is deeply touched by this post. Your necklace... Amazing! Thanks so much for sharing this deeply touching story. Hope you have enjoyed the hop.
    Hugs
    Terri G.
    Did a quick search and I found this ..do you think it is the same Aimee?
    http://lakesidelampwork.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  14. There is no greater loss than that of a child. Thank you for sharing the joy that came from your son's death, that he impacted so many lives. Your necklace is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Miss Lori, this is such a beautiful tribute to your beautiful son! His life, though brief, brought so much joy to others. And that is always evident when you speak of him. The necklace is a fitting tribute to your son and I know that it will be beautiful on you. Thanks for sharing your story and creation. Enjoy the day. Erin

    ReplyDelete
  16. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child, your story was so touching. The heart is perfect as a tribute.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your necklace is really lovely and a wonderful representation of your son's story. To lose a child has got to be the most painful thing to ever endure. My heart really goes out to you and your family, I am so sorry for your loss - big big hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am so sorry for the loss of your son. The necklace is a beautiful tribute to him.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a beautiful young man. Thank you for sharing your story.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am sorry for your This blog post and the necklace are a lovely tribute to your amazing son.

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a beautiful post Lori! T is my hero too - all donors are. My family is all well educated on my wishes in that respect. I can't imagine your loss. Thank you for sharing your story and I hope your necklace brings much healing, it is as beautiful as your love - I think you gave it a perfect name.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your work is beautiful and thank you for sharing.
    Peace and Love.

    ReplyDelete
  23. your piece is beautiful ,a lovely tribute to your son

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank you for sharing your lovely tribute to your son. I love your necklace - just beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh gosh honey. My heart hurts for you -- but what a beautiful heart you made!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks for your story and nice design filling with heart.

    pilgrim jewellery

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and leaving a comment! I certainly appreciate your kind words!