3-12-02, Lisa Laird
Lisa's Lair
By Lisa Laird
IPS Features
Cameo Appearances
I am not the typical collector who compulsively
follows the latest crazes. Joining
the crowd of consumers in search of alleged rare and/or missing pieces
finalizing entire sets, completing lines of merchandise, or establishing
elaborate miniature communities has never been my style.
There’s something about mingling with the masses that makes me not only
put my foot down, but automatically speed walk in the opposite direction.
I’d rather take pleasure in obsessing over my own private fixations
than the ones attempted to be forced upon me by manufacturers through the
powerful media. I don’t believe
the hype, nor do I allow myself to get caught up in any of it.
Not interested, thank you.
Two decades ago, I nostalgically recall browsing around
in a jewelry store at a time when I could not afford to buy desirable trinkets
at will. Like a magnet to metal, I
was drawn to one particular counter displaying gorgeous cameos placed in a
spectrum of settings. They
impressed me with their dainty, delicate, and careful carvings; they were
crafted with certain deliberation. An
assortment of rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings invited me to examine
them closer. I happily accepted the
offer.
Walking out of the shop empty-handed, I knew I’d be
back to celebrate a gift-warranting occasion.
At this moment, as I’m writing my column, twenty years later, I have my
very first and most beloved piece of cameo jewelry wrapped around the ring
finger of my right hand. This ring
has gone to high school, college, and has traveled through various states around
the country. My inanimate social
butterfly has attended proms, weddings, and graduations.
And its lively escapades aren’t over yet.
A few years after my initial attainment, I received a
small pair of cameo earrings as a Christmas gift. They made a nice accompaniment to the ring.
Somewhere along the way, I acquired a bracelet accented with four or five
cameos evenly spaced between one another. One
day, while wearing the bracelet, I happened to look at my watch and to my horror
noticed that the beautiful treasure formerly by its side was gone. The latch quietly came undone, allowing for a permanent
departure. I never even had a
chance to say goodbye.
I’ve since bought a few more pieces of cameo jewelry.
A necklace and larger ring were welcomed additions as were two brooches
given to me by my grandmother, God rest her soul. They are sheltered safely as I
could not bear to misplace either one.
While vacationing in Italy, my mother purchased two
pairs of earrings for me as per my specific request.
This was prompted by the fact that I could not find one of my original,
petite earrings from way back when; although I was positively certain that it
was securely protected in my attractively constructed wooden jewelry box.
As of today, my cameo mini-collection consists of one necklace, two
brooches, two rings, and two and a half pairs of earrings, minus one ornate
bracelet…for now.
I’m not sure why I have been favorably partial to
cameos all these years. I suppose I
find them interesting as a result of their more than subtle physical
differences. I imagine these
seemingly reserved women must have entirely individual personalities and
temperaments, too, just as the rest of us.
Perhaps someday in the future, near or distant, my
curiosity may be electrically sparked by another enticing object of intrigue.
If so, it will undoubtedly be accidental, unsuspecting, and unfavorably
unpopular at the given time. I
don’t know what I may be actively occupied with down the road; I can’t be
assured of anything, never mind where an upcoming passion might lead me.
But for now, cameo appearances suit me fine.
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