Friday, September 7, 2007

SHOW & TELL #18 - Squash Bloosom Neckless & Earrings

Friday AGAIN - which for Penless Writer means SHOW and TELL. You know the routine. Post your show and tell. Then go over to the host, Kelli at There Is No Place Like Home and sign up on Mr. Linky. Then go look at all the other wonderful Show and Tell items posted by others, AND be sure to leave a comment.


(click to enlarge for better picture & detail)

My Show and Tell for this week is my Squash Bloosom Neckless and Earrings.

This is Zuni Indian jewelry. You can always tell if it's Zuni by the very small, matched turquoise stones.

This neckless is at least 60 years old. It belonged to my mother and she wore it often. It was bought for her by my father. My father, mother & I were visiting the reservation and my father literally bought it off the neck of the Indian woman wearing it. I wish I could remember what he paid for it, but as a child those details are not of interest to you!!!

My mother gave it to me about 10 years prior to her death in 1986. She said she wanted the joy of seeing me wearing it while she was here to see it.

The neckless was originally strung on cat gut. (Sorry, but that's how they did it back then!). When I got it I took it to my jeweler and had it restrung. Because of it's age I was afraid it might break. With all the small pieces, if it broke, it would be easy to lose a piece.

The earring, when my mother wore it, were the old screw on type. Since my ears are pierced I had the jeweler remove the screws and convert it for my pieced ears.

I always get many compliments when ever I wear this neckless. It looks best wore on a solid dark color so the silver and turquoise show up well.

I never wear it but what I think of my wonderful parents. This is just one token of the wonderful heritage I have from them.



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39 comments:

Nadine said...

It's a beautiful necklace and earrings. What a wonderful thing your mom did giving it to so she can see you wear it. Lovely story.

Jenn said...

Wow what a wonderful show and tell here. That is a BEAUTIFUL piece of jewelry. I am sure you get many compliments!

Jenn

Tom said...

What a wonderful story. It is a beautiful piece.

Karen said...

Oh wow isn't that pretty

Anonymous said...

The necklace and earings are stunning and the story is wonderful. Blessings...

charish said...

Sue,
You always have such neat treasures I woudl love to sit and talk about all your treasures some day. Thank you for being you
Sarah

Momma Roar said...

Another lovely treasure!! It is beautiful!!

Jen said...

Love the necklace!!!

Tracy said...

It's beautiful. I think that it is wonderful that you remember the day your dad bought it!

someone else said...

Oh my goodness, Susan. That's absolutely gorgeous!!

Marci said...

It is very very nice. I love turquoise jewelry. It is my birthstone.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful treasure!

Ms. Kathleen said...

This is just gorgeous and what a timeless keepsake. The story is a treasure to be kept with the necklace. Thanks for sharing!

Jill said...

Have I told you how much I love your show and tells?? :o) I also love turquoise, but have never read about a piece so interesting. Literally came off the neck of an Indian...so neat!

Lisa said...

That is a beautiful set of jewelery and what a neat story behind it.
I have a few pieces from my mom and grandma and just looking at them brings back great memories.
Thanks for visiting my blog this week.

Karen said...

What beautiful pieces you have! I need to restring my great aunts pearls that I wore on my wedding day. Your post just reminded me.
I enjoyed the story that goes along with the jewelry, too.

Stephanie D said...

What nice memories! Don't get to see squash blossom necklaces since we moved back east!

Reviekat said...

Such a lovely piece to have! It's amazing that your father purchased it right off the woman who was wearing it. :)

Rita Loca said...

You have the neatest things!!!

Betty said...

Susan,
How about that? We both did Show and Tells about our necklaces this last Show and Tell.

Yours is so interesting....and what a keepsake.....

Thank you for the sweet comment on my necklace.....Betty

Lori said...

That necklace/earing set is so pretty. I love turquoise.
I think that it is neat that it is 60 years old.
Neat story.

Kelli said...

Your necklace and earrings are so beautiful, Susan! What wonderful treasures!

Kelli

... said...

the necklace and earrings are beautiful, and rich with history. how nice that your mom gave it to you before she passed on. that must make it extra special.

Mountain Mama said...

What a lovely treasure. It must mean a lot more just because your mother wore it too and wanted you to have it. It was wise of you to have it restrung.
Have a wonderful week-end.

Annie said...

You do have so many neat things Susan!

Justabeachkat said...

You're blessed to have something so wonderful that your Mom wanted you to have. Thanks for sharing.

Hugs!
Kat

weavermom said...

It's beautiful! And I'm sure it's wonderful to have something that reminds you so strongly of your mother.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Susan, that is so beautiful! I love the story with it too!

Carole Burant said...

Oh Susan, what a beautiful necklace and earring set...made more special because it belonged to your mom AND it's true Native art!! Gorgeous!! xox

michelle said...

What a beautiful heirloom. How neat all the memories and history it relishes.

I just read your post about Sohailah and I thought how would you like to meet your blog friend from South Africa? Well my friend we are coming back to the States and I am going to be in Tulsa Sept 22-25...it is a short full trip but I'd love to meet up for coffee if you can!

Larissa said...

I think it's so neat the things you have that are special. You have quite a lot!!!

On another note, what you said makes PERFECT sense. And I would say coming from you, you would know that!!! Someday I really do hope to tell my story in detail, but now is not the time. And I know I will feel just that way! (This happened to me???) Thanks so much for all your encouragement. I am so glad to have "met" you too, and you really do inspire me to greater heights!

Myrna said...

Beautiful necklace and earrings. I thnk you were very wise to have them restrung. Now they will probably remain a family heirloom for a long time.

TO BECOME said...

Susan, I loved your "Show" the necklace and earings and "Tell" what they meant to you and especially why they meant so much to you. They are beautiful. connie from Texas

Maxine said...

Very pretty, Susan. The best part is the memories they bring of your mother. Thanks for sharing.

Amber said...

That is so wonderful that you can have something from your mother that you can cherish. I'm sure she is smiling above in heaven about this:)

God Bless,
Amber

Jenny said...

Gosh, Susan, you have the neatest show and tell!! What a beautiful jewelry set handed down to you!
I talked with Annie today on the phone and she said you saw the discussion going on over at my place, and even typed out a comment, but it got lost somehow. I am sooo sorry that happened! I would have loved to have read your thoughts on the matter. Maybe next time...

Tammy said...

Beautiful Indian necklace! I love how your dad bought it for your mom right there on a reservation...and how your mom wanted to give it you while she was still with you...so sweet!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

I'm sorry to be so late with my comments (to all S&T) I'm determined to get through all of them, just had a late start since we were gone!

Your jewelry is beautiful, as is the story! Great lesson to us - to give things to our children early so we can enjoy seeing them wear them. The same goes for monetary inheritance - give before we pass so we can see them enjoy it! (Now, if only I had a big one to give!) My daughter's in-laws are doing this, and I think it's wonderful.

Katherine

Ruth said...

I enlarged the picture and saw how beautiful the necklace is! I love the story that goes with it, too!