13 Mar Spoons, A Mirror, and a Vision of Beauty

Oh, how I wish I had taken a photo of a crocus blooming the snow! Or some other fabulous spring-like picture of hope to post here!

Alas, I did not.

So, may these words be sufficient:

Happy (coming-soon) Spring!

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for warm days, open windows, fresh local lettuce and lightweight jackets.

As the nights have become warmer and the sunshine a little brighter, I find myself excited to get outside and ready to explore. That spirit of exploration absolutely finds its way into my work, and all the projects on my bench right now are part of that exciting energy of new growth!

That applies to my existing projects – empowerment bracelets and legacy rings. And, to the new projects coming in every week. Inquiries for lockets are continuing to come to me, and I do love making lockets!

Just this week, in a conversation with a client near New York, I found myself struck anew by the narrative power of a locket. She told me about a children’s book she and her grandchildren had found about a magic locket with a mirror inside. Wow! A mirror?

She asked me to make a locket for her daughter on her 40th birthday using silver spoons from their family’s collection. That part is not unusual. Clients ask me to do that kind of thing all the time. But then she surprised me. She asked me to put a mirror inside the locket. Not a photograph. Not a lock of hair. Not a gemstone or an Asian kinetic golden fish (as in previous projects).

A mirror.

“When I’m gone – not that I’m sick or anything – but when I’m gone, I want her to look into that locket and see herself the way I see her. Beautiful. The mirror will remind her to do that.” 

What an amazing thing. My clients continue to amaze me. So thoughtful. So deliberate. So aware.

So, that’s what I’m doing. I am making a spoon locket with a mirror inside. This client, who lives four states away, will be able to observe the making of the piece via my virtual studio. (See an example of the virtual studio here.) And, while I’m busy at my bench turning old silver spoons into a locket with a mirror inside, I will realize that I’m NOT the one creating the object of inspiration. I am actually the one inspired. I’m inspired by my clients and their intentions, by the special quality of the work I’m honored to do, and by the longevity of love.

Keep in touch, and I’ll be sharing the mirror locket and other projects along the way.

Enjoy these early Spring days!

Ginger Meek Allen