My maternal grandmother was declared legally blind at the age of 25 and became an active fund-raiser for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Beginning in the late '50's, she got together with a few dear friends each year and made jewelled Christmas trees. They would sell them at craft shows with all the proceeds going to the Jericho Hill School for the Blind.
Not long after, the Jewelled Christmas Trees became a tradition in the family. When the women got married, my grandmother would make one for each newlywed (she also made them for all her sisters and sisters-in-law.) She would spend hours trolling through the costume jewelry box for just the right sparkly bits to glue onto the velvet. Gram passed away 11 years ago, but the tradition lives on. Mum and my aunt cobbled together some remaining bits of Gram's treasures, added in some of their own and thoughtfully included some sparklies from my teenage years to make a tree for me. Mum and I put the finishing touches on it this morning and it's proudly hanging on the wall in the kitchen today.
Merry Christmas everybody!
That is so fabulous! And what a great story - I love that the tradition continues and you now have your own tree.
Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Christine | December 25, 2006 at 15:29
Oh I love that!!!
Happy Happy to you and yours.
xo
Posted by: Scoutj | December 25, 2006 at 15:50
Wow. That's beautiful. Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Susan | December 25, 2006 at 17:10
What a beautiful tradition. Merry Christmas, Caro!
Li
Posted by: Li_B | December 25, 2006 at 17:33
The tree is beautiful, and the tradition is wonderful! Merry Christmas!
Posted by: janna | December 25, 2006 at 17:57
That is awesome- did you just punch the lights through the velvet as well?
Posted by: Cathi | December 25, 2006 at 19:19
What a beautiful tradition and tree. I have an aunt who is partially sighted and I know she would love something like that.
Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Hazel | December 25, 2006 at 19:19
How gorgeous! and what a fabulous tradition... Merry Christmas!!
Posted by: Rete | December 25, 2006 at 20:51
That is so lovely. What a nice story.
Posted by: Lady S | December 25, 2006 at 22:35
awesome tradition! :) Hope you guys had a lovely Christmas
Posted by: marisa | December 26, 2006 at 00:29
very neat - what a fabulous way to celebrate!!!
Posted by: stacey | December 26, 2006 at 10:27
What a cool tradition! Traditions are what make the holidays so special!
Posted by: sarah b. | December 26, 2006 at 15:30
What a beautiful tree - my great aunt did the same thing. One of the last ones she made lives at my parents' house and hopefully will be mine one day.
Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Beth | December 26, 2006 at 23:13
Wow...you come from a long line of crafty women, don't you?
Hope you had a good Christmas and Happy New Year!
Posted by: s t a c i | December 27, 2006 at 08:22
That is gorgeous!! What a great tradition!
Posted by: Kristin | December 27, 2006 at 13:24
Well, it's just beautiful. What a cool tradition and what a cool Gram you had. Enjoyed meeting your Mum, hope you guys are having a great holiday!
Posted by: Julia | December 27, 2006 at 14:31
That tree keeps you all together, always. Best of the New Year to you and yours.
Posted by: Petunia | December 29, 2006 at 07:16
OMG!!! My mom and grandmom were jewel tree makers for years!! Only they had to save all the green bottles - wine, water, etc - from the year.. they would break the green glass into large shards and then use that to make a background tree on the velvet. Dad would drill all the holes in the back of the board and insert the lights, and they would glue on the glass and jewels. Every year, they would shine brightly over the mantel piece, and for years, friends and neighbors would be gifted with them! I know my mom has a cupboard full of partially assembled ones.. I may have to go visit and bring home one to assemble for myself.
Posted by: Willow Caroline | January 03, 2007 at 19:21