George III, King of England in the late 1700s, had just completed fighting a revolutionary insurrection by his American colonies (1775-1783). His son, George IV, Prince of Wales, who would become the King of England, was busy at the time breaking the hearts of the eligible young ladies in England. The story goes that George was in love with Maria Fitzherbert, a Roman Catholic woman who had been previously married. The Court denounced the romance as unacceptable and therefore marriage was not in the picture.

Because Maria so loved George, she commissioned a portrait miniature of her eye to be painted, showing only some of her eyebrow and a wisp of her hair. No identifying facial features were to be seen—no nose, no lips or smile. Her anonymity would be preserved to all; that is, except to George, who was to wear this eye portrait in a locket under his lapel as a memento of her love. This small token of love launched a fad among the Georgian wealthy for the next 30 years (1790-1820). Eye portraits became the rage.

So, I've made a Lover's Eye. It's a mixed media piece, using all found objects. There is a wood base, which was a piece of wood I've found somewhere that was shaped like a half oval. I actually think it's some sort of seed. The metal is an old brooch that I found. I embedded a part of a picture in it and then added a rhinestone.... perhaps a tear from the eye of your secret lover.

That's what I love about EBSQ shows. They give me the chance to push myself and make myself try and make things that I would never in my life have tried to make. Like jewelry.