A Similar Egg to the one described
At a friend’s 40th birthday party the guest of honor ceremonially opened her gifts, one by one, and acknowledged the person who gave it to her. As she got closer to the gold-wrapped box I’d brought, my heart started to beat more rapidly. Id’ been having an enjoyable time at the party, had met a few kind women, but being my typical shy self, I knew the next moment would alter that dynamic, as it always did. I was about to become somebody.
My friend picked up the small cube of a gift I’d brought, gently removed the large bow and gift wrap which revealed my signature logo on the top of the shiny white carton. She carefully folded back the tissue paper and removed the enclosed literature I’d painstakingly created to establish my craft as more than loving-hands-at-home. It was a well-written marketing piece that I tucked into every customer’s purchase.
Under that folded piece of paper was my art. She very gingerly extracted the egg between her thumb and middle finger, and held it up for everyone to see. On it was an elegant pattern that I had batiked, a floral arrangement, with her name in tiny letters (similar to the one on the left designed for a friend’s mother) along the border design. There was a moment of silence followed by an audible intake of breath.
And then the comments came, as they always did.
“Who did that?”
“Jane! Did you make that?”
“How do you do that?”
“That’s incredible!”
“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen!”
Brooches and Earrings made from duck eggshells
Invariably, one or two guests would come right over to sit beside me and insist that I tell them all about this unusual art form, how I got started doing it, and where they could get one of these exquisite pieces.
I’ve never been good at social events, but learned along the way that if I brought something special, it would get me the attention I craved. I believe that a large part of my artistic development came out of the need to show who I was through my art–all the love, the beauty I see and know, and creativity was more easily expressed in an object that in words or behavior. My art was my entree into life. Love my eggs, love me.
Holiday Ornament
When I exhibited at craft shows, my booth was 10 feet by 10 feet and filled with hundreds of intricate patterns done by my hand. Jewelry pieces made from eggshells lined the vitrines in my corner display. There were bright red eggs dangling from thin gold ribbons, decorated with fine lace-like snowflake patterns, and my objets d’art under glass domes with price tags in the hundreds of dollars. I had had a huge sign made: AN EGG BY JANE that let fairgoers easily find me.
I often had people come to my booth at these shows and make the same remark. “Did you make all of these yourself?”
I loved the attention. I didn’t know any other way to achieve the awe, admiration and attraction, so I kept doing my craft for 30 years.
It was my silver bullet.
Love this piece! Beautifully written, love the wry insight. And of course, I DO love those eggs!
@Robin
Thank you!
I loved reading this Jane. I remember dragging my huge hat box to my Grandparents apartment when I was studying to be a milliner at F.I.T.. Endless sketches and garments when I was working towards a degree in Fashion Design… each time with the same, “See me”, “Look what I did…” but not until reading your blog did I embrace all that schlepping! It was the “I believe that a large part of my artistic development came out of…” that you wrote that brought me to a kinder understanding. I have always enjoyed your blog, but now… even more.
Thanks for the gift Jane.
Thanks Jane for your “egg” article. I bought a pair of earrings at the Cheryl Strickland Window Covering Conference 12 yrs. ago. It was our 25th anniversary that year so I bought the earrings which were ribbon bands. I still wear these today! Ever since that conference, I have followed you via the internet. You are an inspiration to me in so many ways. Have your signed book too – loved it! You do have a wonderful way with words!
@Katie
You really do get it! Thank you for this.
Your work is truly beautiful, Jane. I wonder if you ever miss creating such beautiful pieces of art.
It amazes me to hear you describe yourself as shy and not good at social events. You certainly don’t convey this outwardly. I wonder if it has gotten any easier for you to be in these social situations relative to years ago and, if so, what has helped you the most. What also amazes me is how comfortable you are speaking to groups, given your feelings of shyness. As you know I work with people who are fearful of public speaking and performing and this seems to be your forte. I would love to hear your thoughts on why this comes easily to you as someone who has felt shy or not good socially.
@janetesposito
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. Many actors and performers are great on stage and shy privately. I’m very comfortable with my rehearsed material and even the Q+A that follows. I’m less comfortable walking into a roomful of strangers and trying to become known in any way. I’ve learned to focus on one relationship at a time, to wait until I’m approached or some combination of strategies in between.
@Deborah
Wow! I remember that event! Thanks for letting me know you’re still out there. I really appreciate it.
Jane, I wore my earrings Sunday. Still love them!