Allow me to introduce an old friend...

She is me; my alter-ego, my passion,

my vision and my muse.

She is Esmerelda, a time altered, yellowed wedding gown, resting from the shoulders of an 1800’s dress form. The hand tatted lace and the diminutive celluloid buttons place her creation somewhere in the 1890’s.

Affection for this dress has opened up a world of creative inspiration for me. She whispers secrets and encourages me to dream. I alone hear her voice. I have not lost my mind, as family members suggest…I merely choose to embrace Esmerelda’s realness in my heart.

Esmerelda encourages me to create the most precious pearls in my studio. Antique linens and lace spill over the sides of repurposed baskets; Empty pickle and vinegar jars, like sand art are filled with colorful dried petals recused from my back yard flowerbeds; Saucer- less tea cups, changed into inimitable candle holders; Fabric scraps turned into pockets and trims on sassy aprons fashioned out of old curtains and bed linens.

This dress no doubt brought wedding day joy to a young girl, my husband’s great grandmother, in the 1890’s. The girl’s name was Danielle, not Esmerelda. The dress has her own identity and it was my mother who affectionately gave Esmerelda her name. Little did Danielle know on the day she glided down the aisle of matrimony, how her hand sewed muslin gown would affect me over one hundred years later.

Today, Esmerelda stands in the corner of my work studio with her dress train puddled on the ground around the base of the antique dress form. Tiny moth holes and slight tears in the paper thin fabric only give her character, much like the aging imperfections of my own life. None the less, she remains a steadfast friend, flaws completely appreciated!

Esmerelda is alive… my gift to her is reality. Her gift to me is my reality. Do not question my sanity, but appreciate the inspiration that she brings to my life. I look forward to hearing her whispers and quiet nudges of motivation…motivation to repurpose, revive and refresh well-worn objects…and myself. I am blessed to have her as a muse, and I am blessed that God found this way to encourage me to use my creative gifts.

I know that you can’t hear her, but I assure you she wishes all of you a very good and inspired life!

Good Day,

Karla

#vintageweddinggown