This lovely lady is my grandmother, Lilly. Last Christmas I made a pair of custom earrings to gift to her. Since her birthday is in January, I thought it fitting to gift her custom earrings with her birthstone in the design.
I made drop earrings because the design offered a bit of nostalgia. When I was a little girl, I would comb in my grandmother’s soft, curly hair. Then she would put on a pair of drop earrings. She also wore her drop earrings when she would get dressed up for church or to go out with her guy friend.
She doesn’t get out as much now as she used to, except to go to church or if a family member takes her to visit relatives. But she always puts on a pair of drop earrings. The earrings are usually dainty with a little spark of pizazz. I’m glad I could add to her collection.
I added pearls to the design because my grandmother is just that – a pearl. Over 20 years ago, I lost my paternal grandmother, Addie (also a pearl), to whom I was very close. But, I am so thankful that I still have my maternal grandmother alive and kicking. She is something else, a real treasure.
She has a lot of silver based pieces. I wanted to do something different, so I used 14 carat gold-filled instead of sterling silver. I love the contrast it offers to the deep red garnet and pearl.
These custom earrings were a joy to make and an even greater joy to gift to her. Now, I must make sure my cousin (shown in the picture) doesn’t sneak away with them, because she likes them, too.
What are some of your Christmas memories?
