~A PERFECT MATCH
My newest Sailors’ Valentine “A PERFECT MATCH” has a bittersweet ending to it. Most Valentines tell a story, that is why they are so personal for the Giver and the Recipient. This one is no exception. I finally finished this large 18″ Sailorsʼ Valentine that I worked on for 4 months. It was a real struggle for me to complete due to unforeseen circumstances. My cherished and loyal client of 17 years who commissioned me to create this piece for his wife passed away before it could be completed for their 49th Wedding Anniversary on November 7th, 2008. Since I know them personally, it hit me like a ton of bricks and I had to put it aside for a period of time as I just did not have the heart to work on it further. The title is derived from what everyone who knew them always referred to the 2 of them as a couple. I could not resist using it! Neither of them knew what the Valentine theme was to be and I chose it long before he passed away. I am sure that it will have great meaning to her, especially now that he is gone.
I shipped it off to live in Michigan as it will be the last gift that her husband gave to her, even after he was gone from this earth. It is the gift that truly keeps on living and giving! I had a special plaque made for it and have enclosed a picture of it below. I know that it will become a family heirloom that she will pass down to her children one day and they to their children if it is still intact. There are many antique ones that have survived the test of time from the Victorian period. I have never had to let go of a Valentine as quickly as this one but since it took so long to make it and at least 10,000- 12,000 shells (??? – I cannot even guess), I have had enough of it to last me for a good long while. There are 24 different species of shells in “A Perfect Match” and I must say that it was the biggest challenge to date to create. There are Creamsicle Clam shells, Vintage Venetian Pearls, Melissa (Pheasant), Green Tusk shells, Lilac, Cardium Cardissa, Orange Tahiti Snail, Emerald Nerites, Coquina, large and small Squilla Claws, White Baby’s Ears, Red Mongo Snails, Yellow Cup Shells, Blue-Green Limpets, Pink Apple Blossoms, Tessalatta Spotted Olive, White Barnacle Sails, Ivory Gar Scales, Knobby Green Sea Urchin Spines, Pearlized Donkey Abalone Ears, Strawberry Top shells, tiny Brown Button shells, White Rice shells and pale tiny Aqua Operculum. The handmade 18″ case is made of Mahogany with Maple wood inlays and trim.
The 2 smaller Cardium Cardissa reddish Heart shells in ʽA Perfect Matchʼ signify him (Peter) while the larger yellow centerpiece Heart represents her (Gay). “Although, in the outer ring Peter appears distant……………….. he will never be far away because he will always be in Gay’s heart forever”.
