Thank you for sharing the story of this elegant creative lady. It reminds us that creativity is expressed in so many different ways, and has been part of our human identity from our earliest ancestors.
Thank you, Jo, for the thoughtful repost and comment. She was a great example of creativity being in far more (informal) spaces than we have given credit.
My mom never saw herself as an artist and yet she designed her own clothes, painted watercolors, rehabbed, and decorated 6 different older homes we lived in during my childhood. She understood color and texture, light and shadow and was an elegant, creative force in our lives.
I love this essay so much, Bryn. I’ve always loved fashion and clothes but was the odd one out that way in my family. My mom taught me to sew at a young age starting with Barbie clothes and by high school I was making my own when I couldn’t find the clothes I imagined in my head. Without those explorations I likely wouldn’t have thought to switch to embroidery as my medium when I got sick. It’s such a gift to have elders in our lives that show us the possibilities and importance of creativity.
A heartwarming post! Your grandmother is certainly glamorous!
I'm curious about her name and the name of her sewing business - am I correct in reading her name as Pamela? (excited about that for obvious reasons 😅 I don't come across too many) and the studio name is reflected in your substack name, curious about that connection?
Thank you, Pamela 💜 Yes, her name was Pamela, too! And her home business - “Fashions by Jenny-Bryn” - refers to my older cousin Jennifer and me; we are her two oldest grandkids. I’m not sure when she had the labels made but knowing her and how she’d want to be fair 😅, it was before Jennifer’s younger brother or my younger sister were born.
I think that in some corners elegance is rather a dying art, which is a shame. I know I used to make more effort with how I used to dress and making myself presentable, but I never had the gift of knowing what looked right, and these days I'm happy enough when what I'm wearing is just clean, ironed and comfortable. My mum is always beautifully dressed - almost always with a smile - and she looks wonderful. 😊
Thank you for sharing the story of this elegant creative lady. It reminds us that creativity is expressed in so many different ways, and has been part of our human identity from our earliest ancestors.
Thank you, Jo, for the thoughtful repost and comment. She was a great example of creativity being in far more (informal) spaces than we have given credit.
My mom never saw herself as an artist and yet she designed her own clothes, painted watercolors, rehabbed, and decorated 6 different older homes we lived in during my childhood. She understood color and texture, light and shadow and was an elegant, creative force in our lives.
It’s funny how we’ve created buckets of “what is creative” and “what isn’t creative enough”.
She sounds incredible, Susan. Thank you for sharing those memories.
I love this essay so much, Bryn. I’ve always loved fashion and clothes but was the odd one out that way in my family. My mom taught me to sew at a young age starting with Barbie clothes and by high school I was making my own when I couldn’t find the clothes I imagined in my head. Without those explorations I likely wouldn’t have thought to switch to embroidery as my medium when I got sick. It’s such a gift to have elders in our lives that show us the possibilities and importance of creativity.
That’s beautiful, Lia. And aren’t we all the richer that she shared those gifts with you? 💜
A heartwarming post! Your grandmother is certainly glamorous!
I'm curious about her name and the name of her sewing business - am I correct in reading her name as Pamela? (excited about that for obvious reasons 😅 I don't come across too many) and the studio name is reflected in your substack name, curious about that connection?
Thank you, Pamela 💜 Yes, her name was Pamela, too! And her home business - “Fashions by Jenny-Bryn” - refers to my older cousin Jennifer and me; we are her two oldest grandkids. I’m not sure when she had the labels made but knowing her and how she’d want to be fair 😅, it was before Jennifer’s younger brother or my younger sister were born.
Aw that's so sweet! I love that she named it after you both! 😍
What an absolutely beautiful post, Bryn - I drank in every word. What a very special - not to mention elegant - person!
And thank you for the link! I love a bit of 'old gold'! 😁
Your trademark/licensing cheque is already in the mail 😂
Thank you Rebecca 🥺💜 That’s a great word to describe her, elegant. She really was, and she hated not being put together.
🤣
I think that in some corners elegance is rather a dying art, which is a shame. I know I used to make more effort with how I used to dress and making myself presentable, but I never had the gift of knowing what looked right, and these days I'm happy enough when what I'm wearing is just clean, ironed and comfortable. My mum is always beautifully dressed - almost always with a smile - and she looks wonderful. 😊
Creativity takes so many wonderful forms! What an elegant lady your grandmother was! 😊💖
Thank you Rebecca for reading and for your kind comments. She was elegant, indeed 🥰
This is so beautiful! Thank you for carrying on her story. 🤗 Your storytelling itself is an art too.
That’s so sweet, Tolu. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts 🥺💜