A few weeks ago I received an email from my friend Alice with photos of a lovely wall hanging. Our mutual friend Mary sent the photos to her and I was so pleased to have Alice include me in the sharing. If you look closely you’ll see that all of the designs were made from sewing fasteners!
Who knew you could make something so beautiful from snaps, hooks and eyes??? I contacted Mary and got this wonderful story to go with the photographs:
“Greetings, Chris!
What a delightful surprise to hear from you – and to hear that our photos had made their way to you. As a result of your inquiry, I had a delightful phone conversation this morning with the resident (Clara Bleak) who made the hanging. We met her briefly the first day we were here, but, because of COVID, I have not talked with her since.
Clara lives at Founders Ridge in Bloomington, MN. At one time she made all her own clothing, but other than mending and hemming she no longer sews. (Frank thinks she is in her 90s.) Clara designed and made the black and white wallhanging while she and her husband lived in France where he was working. She said, “I needed something to do.” (Isn’t it wonderful how creativity can be nurtured in times of isolation?) Clara has given the other wallhangings she designed and sewed at that time to her niece – said she has meant to ask her niece for photos of them. The other wall hangings incorporate embroidery and brass hairpins and other little items she found in France. She said this wall hanging “got lost in the back of a closet”, so she decided to hang it on her door. I noted that she has not signed or dated it.
You are welcome!
Gratefully, Mary”
Clara certainly has an eye for artistic placement of these utilitarian elements. What an imagination!
I was planning to put together a project for a future beading class and I’m thinking I may need to include some fasteners. Thank you Mary… and Clara!
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