You just have to laugh sometimes. After having recent cataract surgery on both eyes (not laughable), I was left with a couple of eye shields for post-surgery recuperation. On the morning after the last night I was required to wear them, they were sitting on my nightstand, and looking at them, I actually chuckled. Metal! I could use that.
The next moment I was pulling out tools - metal shears, disc cutter, dapping block, files, and pliers. With precut holes, cutting discs out of the shields was obvious, but wait . . . what about those little teeth around the edges? Little charms! Kinda plain. Emboss them!
The first pair of earrings were so easy, based on a design I often use. I polished the metal disc, domed it, and added some pretty blue beads. These earrings were a gift for my opthamologist who restored my vision. My world is now shiny and new, tinted a soft blue rather than the ugly yellow I hadn't realized had dominated my outlook.
The little triangle-shaped charms took the marine-colored patina nicely. Again, blue seemed appropriate. These earrings went to Rachel, the surgeon's assistant, who always complimented me on the jewelry I wore to her office.
With one more pair of domed discs remaining, I chose to patinate them in marine blue and accent them with antiqued brass and aged picasso Czech glass beads. I will keep these earrings to remind me of the miraculous gift I have received. My antiqued, yellowed vision no longer dulls my world, and I will not take this miracle for granted.
I decided to add another antiqued element to my earrings. They look funkier. Just the way I like 'em.
Just as I was about to publish this post, the mail arrived. Inside a bubble mailer, I discovered this. :)
Update: Today I spent 4 hours cutting out triangle pieces from eye shields, filing, embossing, painting, and sanding them. Can't believe where the time went! Lots of new charms to use.
You are so creative! What a great idea for repurposing things we normally just throw away. I'm sad to say I threw my eye shields away but you have given me a "new vision" to look at things before I toss them! Thank You!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary. I can send you an extra shield. :) My former career as a teacher taught me to be a collector of all possibly useful things. In retirement I still collect (aka hoard) things. I have the storage unit to prove it. Occasionally, I do find a use for things. A lot of this stuff, however, must go! I envy those people who have clean, minimalist living spaces. I doubt that I will ever be one of those people! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I simply love what you've made, the repurposing, the gratitude and everything about this project. That's so much for sharing it. It's inspiring me in many ways.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ann. Reading your kind words started off my day in the nicest way! :)
DeleteThe earrings are lovely and so thoughtful. vision is something very important to a designer and to give back to those who helped you see better again is a wonderful thought
ReplyDeleteThank you, Divya. This was such a special project. You are so right; vision is a gift that I never want to take for granted. It is everything to me!
DeleteLove your blog!
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