serving mary

the small silver tray was irresistible.

petite enough to carry tiny china cups

by children hosting tea parties,

in days gone by.

it sat overshadowed on a shelf of 

larger cast aways.....

things, a mountain of things,

all given to my favorite thrift store

to support a local women's shelter.

it warmed so quickly in my hands, such a perfect fit.

months past. the silver tray waited.

summer arrived. so too the local

flea market swelling with life, hope, hunger.

in the sad collection of a lonely man

my eyes fell on the face of mary,

a lovely vintage cameo lost, almost.. 

the colour of peach singing out among his dusty offerings.

mary became a help to him and the brightest hope of 

serving countless children

as i filled his hand with needed money and

she slipped comfort into my pocket

 
 but how to honor her? this giver of life,

this mother of mothers? 

nothing to do but carefully fashion a reliquary 

 to protect and hold her.

paper, patience, solder...

and then the challenge of creating a removable lid.

 
the silver and gold began to sing...

the reliquary, at home residing on the silver tray.

the small baskets of embossed fruit gave their harvest 

to the heart of mary.

yet...still, it longed for something more.

 
of course.....

a rose in full blossom and

a cherished pearl,

 one i have held close for years from the

button box of my own grandmother.

 
a small collection of little miracles

that waits for the most significant  

of offerings, 

yours, and through you,

bright dreams of sweet children coming true.

 
 

vintage silver embossed tray, metal formed rose, found button,

hand made reliquary of heavy paper, soldered with removable soldered embellished glass lid,

holding an authentic vintage virgin mary cameo,

in an ornate filigree armature.

the cameo rests on a hand sewn black velvet pillow,

and may easily be removed to wear as a brooch or necklace.

tray measures 8" by 4"

complete with a metal hanger on the back,

finished with my grandmother's vintage drop silk spun pearl,

and unending love for mary and all her children.

***

 

please join the twenty seven artists waiting for you in the

 

gallery of hope

(click to arrive at the auction)

where at this very moment dreams are coming true!

Comments

[adrienne]

beautiful!

[Fran aka Redondowriter]

Thanks for reminding me, Rebecca. I've got a sinus thing going on and I'm uncomfortable. I still can't comment or bid for some reason, but I'll see if I can figure it out. This is a gorgeous piece as are all of them in the auction. I am particularly drawn to Mary, as you know, and fond of Dia de los Muertos objects.

[noelle clearwater]

Rebecca,
This is so incredibly beautiful, such a moment of grace and honoring for Mary, for your grandmother, for all women who are mothers of children, and for the Children of Oaxaca who so dearly need our love and care. Even the story of how you found it is miraculous. Such a gift you have bestowed here. How fortunate the person who purchases this beautiful piece in the auction and gives so much more to benefit Oaxaca Streetchildren Grassroots.
Blessings and Light,
xoxo,
Noelle

[Karen Gerstenberger]

That is so beautiful! Mary is so precious to me, and I love this depiction of her. She glows, along with the pearl, the silver and gold. Thank you for sharing this beauty with us!

[Mama Zen]

How beautiful!

[Pam]

This is so beautiful! And I realized I forgot to put the link on the badge, so I will do that asap. I'll be back today to admire all the beautiful artwork. xo Pam

[Margaret Pangert]

Hi Rebecca~ Internet Explorer is now working--thank you. I registered, but when I log in I get:
Your registration process is not yet complete! Please check again your email for further instructions that have just been resent. If you don't find the email, check your spam-box. Make sure that your email account options are not set to immediately delete spam. If that was the case, just try logging in again to receive a new instructions email. (I've retried but did not receive the email.)
I want in the worst way to win your exquisite pearl Mary tray/box. If I win, I'm shipping it back to you because I cannot let you give this up. You are so generous, Rebecca, but "a thing of beauty is a joy forever." Heart-love, Margaret