Bounty of the Beach

poem and mixed media collage of shells, beads, fabric, sequins,
tracing paper and yarn, sewn onto recycled paper

Bounty of the beach

Shells on sand

Girls wander the shoreline

Gather jewels in their hands

Contentedly collected then

Sewn into memories

Of lifelong friendship

Fondly recollected

- Sally Jane Carter

I made this collage as a present for my best friend, Phaedra. We met at uni over a decade ago and I imagine that we'll be enjoying each other's company well into our retirement. The collage and poem it contains is an ode to our friendship. The shells come from a beach holiday where we spent hours wandering the shoreline and collecting the ocean's jewels. They represent memories of times shared, like:

• Friday night cooking with the shared contents of our fridges at each other's houses when we both lived in Summer Hill. Usually followed by a tub of tim tam ice cream, two spoons and a dvd
• After-work drinks at Bistro-fax
• Nights at the Opera, afternoons at the Art Gallery
• Sharing a love of lists
• Pre-date fashion consultations and mid-date sms updates
• Being each other's bridesmaids
• Being a source of wisdom and acceptance for each other throughout our struggles
• Making a mess with Master Miles, baking biscuits
• Regular beauty spa sessions

Phaedra is gentle and wise and cheeky and full of substance. And there's a contentment knowing that we'll be hanging around for some time.