August 16, 2010

A Gift From Marion...

If you were reading my blog last June, you would have read my post here about spending a day with my good friend, Marion. Marion and I "met" on Ravelry and became fast friends. She was in Sarasota in June to visit family, so we made a date to spend the day together. We had a grand time, and it was as though we'd known each other for years.

Marion is a talented glass artist, and I was admiring the bracelet she was wearing that day. She told me about Pandora and Troll bracelets. Am I the only one who'd never heard of them before? Her beautiful bracelet had some of the most wonderful beads I'd ever seen and I found out that she'd made them! I told her how captivated I was with her bracelet and her talent.
On Saturday, I received a gift from Marion. Inside, I found a Troll bracelet and clasp exactly like hers! Then, I opened little packages inside to find the most exquisite beads, spacers and a special silver charm. (You do see it, don't you?)
The little speckles on the beads on the left of this photo are sterling silver! And look! A special bead with dog paws! It's Marion's own design and she perfected it just for me. You can't even imagine how much I love these beads.

She created most of these beads with silver linings so they can ride along the bracelet and not be damaged. There are beads with speckles, beads with swirls, beads that are etched, beads with little bubbles. Oh, my! The orange one will remind me of our August Blissfull ATC group swap, too! It's actually one of my favorites, along with the green ones, blue ones, paws... Silly me. I can't begin to choose just one!
Marion even made a special charm for Kes! I can hang this from Kes' collar, and she'll really be stylin', don't you think? I love that Marion even included a little tag with Kessie's name on it! This girlfriend doesn't miss a single detail!

See the small silver spacer beads to the far left? Marion told me that they're made with a special glass called "Triton". When it's heated and formed, it will cool to a regular "glass look", but when she adds more flame (with less O2) it immediately flashes silver. It's expensive and Marion said that she usually only uses it for special details on her glass pieces. I'm so lucky that she chose to use some for me.
The card she wrote to me features a water lily. It is actually a photograph with an art treatment, taken by Roy Van Loo, Jr. He's a wildlife photographer/artist in Michigan. I'm telling you...Marion is so thoughtful. She knows that Handsome was a professional photographer, so this was a little gift to him, too.
After much playing, fondling, sorting, oooo-ing and ahhhhh-ing, I decided to place these beads on my bracelet for now. (I'm bummed that I can't actually wear them all at once.) I added sterling silver spacers from my own jewelry-making stash to augment those that Marion included for me.

What do you think? Isn't Marion one talented lady? I called her Sunday night to tell her just how much I appreciate and love her gifts. She told me that she got another acorn for her bracelet, so that she'd always think of me when she looks at it. I'm blessed with a whole bracelet to remind me of her generosity and love. I can't wait to see her again so that I can hug her in person. Thank you, Maid Marion. You're just the best!

22 comments:

  1. Marion does great work!
    Lampworking has been my passion for the last 10 years too.
    Love the little acorn!
    Sooo you!
    xoxo~Kathy @
    Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  2. Your bracelet is beautiful! Marion is such a generous and talented friend. I have a Pandora that my son has been gradually getting me charms for. I didn't know there was an acorn charm. I need it to remind me of you! Have a nice day! Twyla

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  3. Wow Marion...great job ...Donna your bracelet is beautiful and chock full of great memories....Lucky friends that met one day....very nice story.

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  4. Hi Donna,
    Thanks so much for visiting my sewing room. But after I came by and looked at yours, I don't like mine anymore! I may need to redecorate soon. All you work is just beautiful. Some of our items are very similar, which I take to mean we probably have very much in common.
    Yes, I love this bracelet and beads from Marion. Such a wonderful and generous gift. She obviously respects your friendship very much.

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  5. Beautiful work of labor and love from your talented friend. Her glass work beads are stunning. Happy wearing...

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  6. Hi Donna, How beautiful your bracelet is! She did a fabulous job on everything and the collar is awesome! Isn't it a joy to have special friends.
    My sons had bought me a Pandora bracelet for my birthday however I only have 7 charms on it so far.
    Yours is fantastic, what a lovely, thoughtful gift she sent to you! I also adore the acorn, it's so cute. I really have fallen in love with the one with the paw on it. I have furry ones of my own and that is so precious! By any chance does Marion have a shop that she sells her gorgeous work from? I would be so interested in purchasing some of her pieces.
    I hope that you have a wonderful day.
    Hugs...
    Bobbi

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  7. What a wonderful special gift. A real treasure that you can wear with pride. The acorn was just the right special touch. That paw print is great. Kes was even blessed by this mail delivery!
    Debbie

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  8. Oh Donna,
    What A Friend ~ It is a Beautiful Bracelet, Maybe you can use the other Beads as a Necklace.... What a Thoughtful Gift ~ Love the Acorn!
    Have a Wonderful week
    Cheryl

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  9. Donna, what a special gift Marion gave you, first her friendship and now something she made for you using her God given talents that will last a lifetime...and you can enjoy everyday "Friendship the bond that glues us together"
    Hugz!

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  10. Oh Donna! What a BEAUTIFUL gift! All the beads are sooo pretty, but that acorn is just perfect! xo Paulette

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  11. Stunning bracelet! Marion does beautiful work. I have a Pandora bracelet and would be interested in buying some of her charms, if she sells them. Do let know.

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  12. Your new bracelet is amazing, I have bead envy. Marion is so generous and makes stunning beads. I have had a troll bracelet for almost 5 years now, half full with charms that I get for birthdays and Christmas, I wear it constantly and love remembering who gave me each charm/bead, it is so full of special memories.

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  13. Great thoughtful gift. And the beads you can change as you want.
    My daughter has a Pandora bracelet and a few charms. If it had not been for her I probably would not have heard of them. The little acorn is precious.

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  14. So very happy you were pleased Donna. It was fun making them just for you, knowing you would appreciate them. As you treasure the beads, I treasure your friendship, and am contiually amazed at the beauty you create. Marion

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  15. Hi Donna, Your bracelet is so pretty and the beads are stunning. Marion does such a beautiful job and I do remember reading your blog when you spent the day with her. You have a truly great friend. Enjoy your day. Your Missouri Friend.

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  16. Marion is one very talented lady and you are one very lucky lady to receive such a wonderful gift. The beads and bracelet are stunning!
    Jane

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  17. Pandora has been a big hit here for several years now! How lovely are the beads she made you. what a lovely gift! Precious.

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  18. Pandora has been a big hit here for several years now! How lovely are the beads she made you. what a lovely gift! Precious.

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  19. Wow Donna,

    I don't know how I missed this post (must have been napping). OMG absolutely STUNNING......you are one blessed lady. Those beads are breathtaking. There are no words.........

    Meri

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  20. What a precious gift and a precious friend ! Thanks for sharing it, you can see the work that went into the beads and the thought behind the gift.
    (())
    Francie

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  21. Oh my gosh! Those are just stunning! Love them! She is one talented lady.
    xx, shell and sugie

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Blessings, Donna