D E D I C A T I O N
| WHERE THIS ALL BEGAN A DEDICATION TO MY NIECE Mary Klose Making stoma covers, began after my niece had her throat cancer operation..Mary was a very stylish lady, and always was a "knock out" whether in jeans or a velvet cocktail dress...she often wore scarfs to cover her larynx surgery site...or high collars, turtle necks. We were always on the search to find something special that would cover...I had a belt that had a very large shell, that I bought when I lived in Hawaii, and we shortened the ties, and it was a very interesting piece. We were in an art gallery, which is located in a park in San Diego... where a lovely (in the tune of over $150) crochet necklace was shown. Mary considered buying this piece, but we decided that we could go home and get our creative juices flowing. We design and make a similar piece which was actually a better concept for her purpose than the original piece, being washable, smaller, and lighter weight. I am an artist and jewelry designer, Mary, an artist...putting our heads together and hands to work we made our first Stoma Cover..the first pieces were made from wonderful beads and yarn we found in a family trunk, left by her mother-in-law that made fabric wall hangings... Mary had a stoma cover for every outfit that she wore, and was very stylish, and received many compliments on her designed, one of a kind neck piece. Since Mary's passing, I have continued to make these stoma covers, always looking for interesting yarn and beads...and keeping my hands busy and my designing an ongoing pleasure... I offer these unusual pieces to you...they have a price, but if any person that has had their larynx removed, and doesn't have extra money...I would like to have them write and let me know of their situation.. I have been given an artistic gift, and I am willing to share with those that can not afford to purchase, yet have the desire to LOOK GOOD. |
| 'B O U T B O W I was raised on the beach in San Diego, California, where the love of the outdoors and appreciation of the vibrant colors of nature were an early influence, and now evident in the art pieces I create. These pieces are in various media, batik, watercolor, acrylic and enameling. Early childhood days were spent exploring the mud flats that were in the middle of Mission Bay. We sailed, and swam, collected paper dolls from the Sunday funnies, our imaginations were quite active, as we played pirates and dressed up pretending we were princesses. I feel fortunate to have grown up years ago, where we had no fears and were free to roam and went barefooted, well some things never change. |
| I have always enjoyed working, and during the years that my children were young, I was fortunate enough to have jobs with oil companies as a geological and geophysical draftsman also worked in the land department working on maps and plotting leases/information...In those years, OIL was KING in the Central Valley of Calif, with a lot of exploration within the state and in Alaska . I was able to work the hours and days that I wanted, by contracting my time. There were days that I wanted to play golf or attend my sons ballgames and was able to do that...My daughter had a horse, we had a pool so Mom was needed at home when school was out. |
| After my son and daughter were raised, Hawaii was my home for many years, where I worked as an illustrator at Hickam AFB, and for the Navy, as supervisor for Third Fleet Headquarters graphics shop, on Ford Island in the middle of Pearl Harbor. I rode a ferry to and from work everyday. The sunrise over the mountains, and the beautiful cloud formations started every day with a calm, peaceful feeling. My staff and I produced the artwork for the production of slides, training aides, maps, and publications used in the training of the Pacific Fleet. Living in Hawaii, travel to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Indonesia) was convenient and exposed me to the various art forms and designs of the area. |
| ............................................................ .......................................... Upon retirement I made a dream come true. Never had traveled across our vast, great country, had never seen the Mississippi, or the Atlantic Ocean. Home for almost a year was a 21-foot motor home, traveling from San Diego to Bangor, Maine, to Key West, Fla. and back to San Diego. There was no plan, no time restraints, just where the spirit moved or fellow travelers would suggest a turn in the road. On this trip I had no TV, no computer, no phone…only my art supplies. I entered a few art shows along the way, and sold a few pieces of jewelry to other campers. I visited with family and the military friends that had moved on from Hawaii to towns across the nation Enjoyed the life of a latent hippie....gypsy...no plans, no routine, no place to go, no time to be there ............................................................ .................................. I returned to Topsail Island, North Carolina to live for several years. Living on a remote, seaside island, every day started off with a beautiful sunrise over the ocean, while the dolphins swam and played in the surf, the pelicans flew in formation over head, summer brought the nesting turtles. This experience gave me the opportunity to feel the spirit and solitude of the sea and the life along the shore. In this setting I found an inner peace that can’t be found any other place, for me. Many of my creations, in jewelry and paintings depict this love of the sea and the inhabitants. It was at this time that I started selling my art to retail stores in the coastal towns of North Carolina. I have marketed my “Things/Creations” in art shows and galleries, and stores in North and South Carolina, Hawaii, California, Washington, Alaska and Florida. I experienced Hurricane Fran in N.C. ...My building was closed for repairs for a year...I returned to San Diego and when I was able to return...it was not the same...they say you can't go back...think that is true. I had friends in Mt. Dora, Florida and visited them and fell in love with the little town, which was close enough to the ocean that I could drive for my SEASIDE FIX. Leaving Florida when my niece was diagnosed with cancer, I lived with my nephew, Mike and Mary, until her passing...Followed by a few years of taking care of family business, I am back in Hawaii . ............................................................ ............................................................ .......................................... If I had a theme for my life.. it would be to ENJOY THE TEMPORARY, as all things ARE temporary, the best of times and the other...all things change...and that is a good thing. The good things are here to enjoy at the time The bad things will pass in time, giving us hope for the future AND people we love matter most |
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| Mary in Mexico, wearing a collar with beads, that matched her sheer navy and burgundy colored dress |
The very first Stoma Cover...
| I make all the Stoma Covers shown on this website... Constantly on the look out for yarn, beads, yardage and ideas that would work I love corresponding with the customers, learning of their families, activities and sometimes of the hard times that they experience... I try to fill the special needs that my customers have, following throat surgery IT IS MY PURPOSE AND MY PLEASURE |