I have a legacy of craftiness. On both sides of my family, I had amazing grand- and great-grandparents who made functional and decorative items. Even better, those items survive as a living reminder of who they were and their sense of artistry.
Today, in honor of the Christmas holiday, I want to share some ornaments that I have that were made by my paternal great-grandmother, Ethel Wiles Barnett.I don’t know much about Ethel, other than she was a hardy housewife with a stubborn streak. But she also was a crafter and quilter, and she liked pretty things. These are what I have of the surviving sequinned ornaments:
Like others of this type, Ethel used dressmaker’s pins, sequins, ribbon scraps, and beads.
I can only imagine how long it took her to place each pin- it’s a time consuming task. But they are well made and absolutely lovely. I especially like the white one- the colored seed beads on the white sequins are a subtle, but effective contrast.
I display them in a lovely crystal bowl to keep them safe.
Tomorrow, I’ll share my version of Grandma Ethel’s sequinned ornaments. Do you have any heirlooms like this in your family?
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I have several ornaments that were my grandfather’s – and they are my favorites! These are simply beautiful!
My mother made/occasionally makes boutique balls- essentially the same as your sequined ornaments. The ones she does now are beautiful and very ornate- sequins, seed beads, larger beads, ribbon, etc. However, when I inherited my grandparents’ ornaments, I also inherited mom’s first 10 or so boutique balls and you can definitely tell which was her first. It’s gaudy, mis-proportioned, etc. I love having it and displaying it front and center on our tree. 🙂
These are so beautiful. They look like a bowl of sweet confections and you are so fortunate to have something so elegantly handmade from your past. I especially like the white one too!
hugs, luny
Thank you for your eloquent words, Luny…you’re right. I AM so lucky! ; )