I met my friend, Claire, at university in 1987. We've been friends ever since. She is one of my heroes in life.
She is the person I call when I'm low. The person who makes me laugh till I snort. And the person who makes me realise that life is fun at times when I've forgotten that. She's very courageous.
A couple of years ago when Claire came to visit, we went to a late night book store to peruse the craft and art section. We found a book of patterns for... Wait for it... Knitted, woollen underwear. I kid you not. Knickers, bras, vests. All made up in sassy shades of double knitting wool.
Itchy? You betcha.
Itchy? You betcha.
Within seconds, Claire and I were sitting on the floor in the aisle, crying laughing about dropping stitches in the gusset, speculating where we'd put the bobbles on an aran knitted bra, and what would happen to you if you ever fell into a pond wearing the full knitted underwear kit of bra, undercrackers and vest. (Drown. Due to getting pulled under by the weight of your water-logged woollies.)
I have no idea why, but we can't be in the same room together without being rude. Or saying gusset.
When Claire isn't being what looks like effortlessly amazing, (when actually I know she works so hard, running a school, bringing up a family, looking chic and gorgeous whilst carrying off being rude and irreverent with panache) she makes glass.
I have no idea why, but we can't be in the same room together without being rude. Or saying gusset.
When Claire isn't being what looks like effortlessly amazing, (when actually I know she works so hard, running a school, bringing up a family, looking chic and gorgeous whilst carrying off being rude and irreverent with panache) she makes glass.
We caught up over the summer and she gave me a collection of her glass pieces to use in my jewellery designs.
Here are some of the pieces she made...
Aren't they beautiful?
I'm actually going to transform them into jewellery for Claire.
The glass that Claire makes is my Favourite Thing On A Friday this week, but my friendship with Claire is One Of My Favourite Things Ever.
If you want to join in with...
If you want to join in with...
... Add your details in the link tool below, linking up with your blog post about your Favourite Thing On A Friday, then link back to Mimi and Tilly. That's it. I'll be over in a jiffy to see your favourite thing this week.
Oh, and Kitty over at Kitty's Vintage Kitsch saw my Opulent Opals this week and thought they would go perfectly with a dress she has. She's going to be posting about that dress today, so pop by and take a peek!
This is a beautiful post, the glass is stunning - I can imagine it will look striking as jewellery, but the longstanding friendship is even more lovely :-)
ReplyDeleteJem xXx
Oh my goodness...I love coloured glass..these are so beautiful my friend. Enjoy your weekend. xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteThat's lovely, she sounds brilliant. I used to know a man years ago who worked with glass and he had lots of small pieces in his garden, glimmering in the sunlight.
ReplyDeleteYour jewellery for her will be lovely and very special. xxx
Beautiful! I love the shimmery colors; they remind me of a peacock. =)
ReplyDeletehttp://pinkchampagnefashion.blogspot.com/
I love the glas ,and I am sure you will turn it into beautiful pieces of yewellery.
ReplyDeleteI am off to Málaga for the weekend, but I will join you on favourite things on Friday next time. Will you remind me, please???
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Well knitted underwear - can not imagine!
ReplyDeleteThe glasswork is beautiful and would make stunning jewellery
Have a lovely weekend
Leah x
I love the sound of that Claire! Nothing like a rude friend to be naughty with!
ReplyDeleteMy sister in law makes glass art and jewellery, beautiful stuff!
xo em
now i know about your linky party i'll have to join in next week
the Special Friend is the best blessing in the world!
ReplyDeleteI have photos of my ex-husband as a 4 year old in his knitted swiming costume, before and after he went into the sea...they're the only thing I wanted to keep from that marriage (probably cos it was the only thing that made me laugh!)
As he goes towards the seashore his little chubby legs are on show but as he comes out of the water the gusset is dragging him down to the sand and it looks like his knees are about to buckle under the weight!
Have lovely weekend
x
I have a pair of glass earrings and they are my favourites. I bought them from a car boot and have never seen any like it again.
ReplyDeleteAre you going to sell them.
Briony
x
Ive never heard or actually seen any knitted underwear how funny , love the glass its very pretty x
ReplyDeleteThe glass is stunning - such beautiful colours, shapes and details. The thought of knitted underwear is funny enough but funnier still to think of the giggly pair in the book shop!
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend!
x
The glass is gorgeous. Glass jewellery like that is one of those things you chance upon and buy, end up wearing almost every day, get complimented on endlessly, but can never seem to find again. That glass has such beautiful colours. Can't wait to see what you make of it!
ReplyDeleteClaire sounds great. Is it wrong that I'm now quite up for an arran bra with nipple bobbles?
ReplyDeleteThe glass is gorgeous, bet you make something stunning. x
aaah wow your friend sounds awesome, and talented - what beautiful glass! x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous work, a very talented friend.
ReplyDeleteI keep laughing at the thought of swimming in knitted costume haha
and at the vpl from Knitted knickers haha
Thanks for cheering me up after a blerrgh day :o))
{Dab and a dash.}
What a beautiful post about friendship. It is so wonderful that you have such a great friendship with Claire. You are truly blessed.
ReplyDeleteI love that you found a book about knitted undies - who would think of that?!
The glass is lovely too. I can't wait to see what you do with it.
Hugs and a happy weekend to you, Stephie x
Oh wow, those are amazing!
ReplyDeleteOh thanks for the mention, have just put my friday post up-very late!
ReplyDeleteOh lovely!...Coloured glass is one of my favourite things...How lovely that you can share something that will incorporate both of your very special talents...I'm going to be laughing about the knitted woollen underwear all day...I wonder how many books were sold?
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely day,
Susan x
hello!
ReplyDeleteI see you are a new follower over at mine and thought I'd pop over and say pleased to meet you...and now for a little nosey round your blog - it looks right up my street.
fee x
(oh, and your friends work looks amazing - looking forward to seeing them transformed.)
(and 'gusset' is one of my all time favourite words!)