Haunted

[kambriel]

The boxes of Laura's unfinished projects arrived the other day. When the boxes were first opened, I had chills wash over me that were so strong, I didn't know if I'd be able to work through them. I sat and had some tea, trying to bring about a feeling of peace and centeredness so I could manage to get through it all. I think it took me about 4 hours just to do an initial going through of all the bags ~ careful not to separate any loose pieces that might be clues later for how things go together, catching loose pins as they fell... I actually worked for 15 hours straight the first day; sorting through everything, putting them in big ziplock bags, keeping various pieces safely organized.

Looking over a few pieces, I can sometimes feel her frustration... it's like I can intuit on some of them why they were never finished. Little problems encountered along the way that would have frustrated her. A piece of velvet sewn with the nap going the opposite way, a backwards cuff... I feel in certain moments like she is sitting beside me, and I am going to help her pass over these obstacles, showing Laura, "don't worry, see, this can be fixed...".

~ Kambriel

[Kambriel.com ~ Etsy ~ Bluesky ~ Twitter ~ Tumblr ~ Facebook ~ Instagram]

Comments

[desecration.livejournal.com]

I saw that you had offered to take on this task and I wish you the best with completing her pieces.

I think it took me about 4 hours just to do an initial going through of all the bags ~ careful not to separate any loose pieces that might be clues later for how things go together,

I have been encountering this when I go through my Mom's jewelry, crafts, and such. She had a ton of precut crafts (teddy bears) but I am not sure if I am even going to attempt to try and complete any of them for numerous reasons. And the jewelry-I cam across pieces which have been within my family for a while and I am left wondering what the story was behind each piece. One of those should, could of, but didn't... I hope to set these pieces aside and perhaps find an jewelry appraiser who can perhaps tell me things about pieces.

[theblackdeer.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh...how wonderful that you are doing that. I don't think I could.

[blooddrop.livejournal.com]

If there was an award for Kindest, Sweetest & Most Selfless Designer it would undoubtably go to you.

I know this is not going to be an easy, emotional-free task for you to do. If you need any help of any kind, I'm more than willing to help.

[oldhalloween.livejournal.com]

Can't think of a more perfect person to take on this task. So many times a business like this is just sold off as one bulk auction or pieced out at an estate sale. She was truly blessed with amazing friends and family. I'll have some time in April if you need any handwork done like hemming or sewing on dozens of buttons or hooks and eyes. I find repetitious sewing work a kind of meditation. :0 )

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

It is sad that once a person dies, all of those answers to questions you may have disappear. It really makes you want to talk more to the people in your life, to learn more about them and their memories while we can. A jewelry appraiser can say certain factual things about a piece ~ the age, the materials used, but they can't say who gave it to whom, etc... It's beautiful when we can actually know these inside stories as they add an extra level of sentimentality to the object, but you may have to just focus on adding your own new chapter to the history of these jewelry pieces.

No need to rush to any decisions on whether or not to complete your mother's projects. Perhaps you will want to try to complete some, and leave some as they are... Perhaps you will want to donate some of the projects to other people who need crafts to fill their days (I know there are certain organizations like this for the elderly, retired vets, etc...).

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

Thank you... and I think you'd be amazed what you are capable of :)

[alizarin75.livejournal.com]

I know we don't know each other but laura and I were friends....I would be interested in purchasing a piece once they are finished.
Its a beautiful thing that your doing....

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

If there was an award for Kindest, Sweetest & Most Selfless Designer it would undoubtably go to you.

Oh Astrid! All I'd be able to say to that is it would take one to know one :)

You're right that it won't be easy or emotion-free, but I think that's one reason I really wanted to do this. I am open to the lessons I will learn from this experience. Already I'm reminded of how many piles of my own fabrics/trims I've been saving up to do something special with, and how we must not put things off indefinitely if we want to make sure to release and reveal our own unique creations and visions to the world.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

I find repetitious sewing work a kind of meditation.

Exactly. I think the entire process will be a form of meditation.
If Laura was blessed with some amazing people in her life, I'd say it was because she herself was an amazing person.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

Right now, I'm more in the organizing stage, but I will eventually post items both here, and will also be keeping Daniel updated with my progress, so I'm sure he will post completed designs in Laura's journal as well. I would love for some of these to end up in the hands of friends...

[anricat.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is a big endeavor you are undertaking. I can see though, how doing somethink like this will give you a sense of peace and closure. At least, I hope that it will. And I can see it bring peace and closure to others in her life.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I wanted to do this for Laura. We all do what we can in life, and this is what I felt I could do to add another layer to the legacy's she'll leave behind.