Sister

Lord Byron’s poem struck me as pretty silly the first time I read through it. I thought, “What love sick sap wrote this? It was not until I saw my sister as a bride that I fully understood what was intended by his words. On that day you could see the eternal nature of her soul in her radiant countenance.

I created jewelry for my sister using mother of pearl, with red marble and gold for accent. She strives to follow Christ’s example. Pure white mother of pearl exemplified this desire of her heart. It also includes an allusion to her motherhood. Red marble teardrops reminded me that all the good in life comes through the power of the atonement. Gold places in my mind’s eye a visual of seeds that will one day grow into a queenly crown. The spirit of this poem will always remind me of the eternal beauty and nature of the family: Epitomized in my mind when seeing my sister, a profoundly happy eternal bride. I tried to create jewelry that would convey the same spirit.

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes:

Thus mellowed to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every golden tress,

Or softly lightens o'er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express

How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent!