3 page tapestry outline hand drawn in colored ballpoint pen and graphite. Outline wrapped in wax paper wrapper with handwritten and typed note explaining her visual letters on tapestries taped to wax paper and wrapped in gold colored cord.
Poetry Collection Manuscripts (State University of New York at Buffalo)
State University of New York at Buffalo. Poetry Collection
State University of New York at Buffalo. Poetry Collection.
Copyright the Estate of Amelia Etlinger and used with permission. Contact the Poetry Collection for more information.
IN COPYRIGHT. This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Green crinkled tin foil wrapped around off-white lace folded around chiffon, fragments of shells, sand, and seaweed.
Copyright the Estate of Amelia Etlinger and used with permission. Contact the Poetry Collection for more information. IN COPYRIGHT. This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
As if a sweetness we did smell of apricots and joy
Orange paper french-door folded and tied shut with light orange torn crepe fabric, tied in a bow. Orange paper folded around pinkish gray paper, 2 layers of white Japanese tissue paper, all folded around orange chiffon fabric wrapped around tri-folded paper with poem text written in a radial pattern in different colored ball point ink. Small gold sheet of paper with poem text typed in center is tied with gold thread under the chiffon strip running across the center of the page. Whole piece is nested in orange and yellow jacquard fabric folded to resemble a book cover, with 2 orange buttons tied to 2 small pieces of paper reading ”Karl” and “Amelia.” Frayed strands from jacquard, chiffon, and crepe bundled between cover spine and poem paper holding down another poem consisting of white handmade paper painted orange, folded around metallic gold and orange yarn. Paper opens to reveal yarn pulled tight across middle. “(K)(E)(E)(P) (P)(O)(E)(T)(R)(Y) (F)(R)(E)(E)” typed along center of smaller sheet of paper.
Blue cellophane wrapped multiple times around deconstructed blue chiffon threads, eggshell, a feather, and a packet wrapped in wax paper taped to end of cellophane. Wax paper contains white and blue tissue, shredded chiffon ribbon, tissue wrapped around gold metallic thick paper taped shut with rose petal, blue french-door folded paper bearing “a packet poem” written on tail edge wrapped in a stretched copper coil and metallic blue sewn embellishment. Japanese tissue paper containing leaves as part of paper, blue tissue wrapped in delicate chiffon wrapped around orange tissue tied with loose knots of blue chiffon threads. Japanese tissue paper wrapped around card tied with metallic blue thread bearing “for Karl with love Amelia” folded around blue chiffon and blue cellophane and thread around pressed dandelion and poem tied to center of work.
Wax paper wrapper taped around white french-door folded paper tied intricately through the piece with purple and black chiffon ribbon. Packet opens from back to reveal woven white fabric, yellow chiffon, purple string and deconstructed chiffon strings, paper tri-folded with poem written in purple ink. Intricately tied deconstructed purple chiffon threads make an X over the middle of the poem when opened.
Piece had been arranged and framed by Helinka, removed from frame by archivist. Piece consists of layers of tan and brown papers, twine, red ribbon, and yellow and gold metallic ribbon. Center contains piece of white Japanese paper folded around yellow and gold sequin fabric, blue chiffon, red deconstructed threads, and part of note from Ellen and June with 13th Moon logo, held together with yellow string.
Piece had been arranged and framed by Helinka, removed from frame by archivist. Piece consists of black paper, metallic blue and purple fabric, blue chiffon, pink lace, white loosely knit fabric, twine, organic material, feathers, black metallic yarn.
Manila mailer envelope containing tissue wrapped around red jacquard french-door folded fabric with gold chain glued around middle and yellow thread stitched in X patterns along fore-edges. Inside contains white chiffon and 3 layers of other white fabric folded around green and pink chiffon, rose petal and seed pod tied delicately with yellow red, white, and pink threads. “Rose,” “flower,” “petal,” “Amelia” written on pink chiffon.
Response to Ellen's 13th Moon poem: Another Menses as Muse
Purple and white polka dot chiffon has been cut at 1 inch intervals and wrapped around dried flowers, yellow and red threads, parts of Helinka’s poem, and multiple layers of different fabrics with lace and metallic fabric folded inside. Gold foiled paper backing is signed by Amelia, center fabric bunch unopened.
Open department store box containing three-dimensional collage of dark blue and gray chiffon on top of red lace, blue and orange printed crepe, purple and white polka dot chiffon, and grasses with 13th Moon pages cut up and tied with thread to fabrics. White rope and gold paper line the bottom of the box.
Piece had been arranged and framed by Helinka, removed from frame by archivist. Multiple layers of cream colored lace folded like book with address and “Ellen Marie” glued to beaded ribbon with decorative button, beaded ribbon wraps around back of book and into the piece. Piece opens to hand embroidered cream fabric, velvet leaves and deteriorating silk flower stems, dandelion seeds, bits of typed text, rose petals, silver colored heart button, “your letter has touched my heart” hand written in ink.
Mailed white envelope containing dryer lint, red plastic ribbon, red and white string all bundled around handwritten note on two irregularly ripped pieces of cardboard painted pink. Part of note reads “no longer able to write letters because cracked foundation in soul….Winter Solstice”
Folded large sheet of white drawing paper containing folded pink paper with sage-like dried plant and silver and black strings wrapped around folded paper. Paper opens with black and silver springs tied to a rose petal and “ellenjune” written on piece of paper suspended above large paper. “Song of Praise” and poem typed onto ripped silver paper and taped with clear tape to large paper vertically down page. More dried sage-like plant taped to poem.
White mailed envelope bearing “flower love” handwritten in purple ink, covered in tape. Envelope contains white card bearing “Ellen flower love” written under ribbon with button and fabric flower tied to outside. Note in card pertaining to visit from Gloria Oremstein and Helinka’s dedication poem to Amelia. Small bundle of blue lace around gold metallic fabric, lace, bits of handwritten note, and flowers.
Butcher paper wrapped mailed package with loose paper tape containing a white Denby’s department store box taped with masking tape that has been sliced open at bottom. Box contains white Japanese paper wrapped in thin, woven, yellow cotton tied with same yellow cotton. Inside contains thick packet of fabric that have not been opened. fabrics include thick woven, jacquards, chiffon, organza, and quilting cotton. Inside fabric packet is a nest of yellow deconstructed threads, bark, and crushed eggshell.
Manila mailer envelope containing packet wrapped in tin foil. packet consists of white frayed 1/2 inch fabric ribbon tied in middle around layers of gold foil paper, tissue, red and white striped wrapping paper, another layer of gold paper, green construction paper, pink, purple, and blue tissue, rose petals, feather, frayed chiffon ribbon, blue and green chiffon, polyester twill, red string, and yellow deconstructed threads. Nested in the packet is “flower love” written on ripped, purple, matte paper.
Small book-like object consisting of matte purple paper wrapped in white thin Japanese tissue paper and thick, loose, silk, green cord with heavy weight, white, plain weave fabric on verso. Inside is a small card covered in dandelion seeds, and text that reads “My friend Mike / your wedding / negative card / has arrived / Mike Belt / you are right / and the summer / has returned / to feel / your tire heart - / love Amelia.”
Mailed small white envelope with small piece of pink chiffon taped over “Mike” in address, and white waxed linen thread taped to envelope. Envelope contains tissue wrapped around nest of rose petals and purple chiffon threads tied to pink chiffon strip of fabric wrapped many times around small white envelope containing a note “my dear Mike today i received the silver canvas painting “just thinking of you” my love Amelia.”
Decorated brown envelope, not mailed, covered in collage elements of black paper and red chiffon bearing “thank you Mike” on recto. Envelope contains silver wrapping paper wrapped around musical score paper bearing a note written in blue ink. Score paper covered in thin knit lace and chiffon threads held together by chiffon threads and gray chiffon bearing 1 inch cuts. Note thanks Mike Belt for his gift.
This for you petals spring love for Mike
Manila mailer envelope with a small burn hole through multiple layers of piece contains butcher paper wrapped twice around wax paper wrapped around thick off-white paper French-door folded wrapped in pink paper ribbon and frayed white fabric ribbon with gold glitter irregular polka dots. Inside is a folded sheet of Japanese tissue paper with leaves embedded, cut from original envelope opening. Inside Japanese tissue paper is gold metallic string knotted around purple, white, and silver fabric and strings, and rose petals. Title along bottom of Japanese tissue paper.
Mailer envelope containing orange paper French-door folded and tied shut with light orange torn crepe fabric, tied in a bow. Orange paper folded around pinkish gray paper, 2 layers of white lace Japanese tissue paper, all folded around orange chiffon fabric wrapped around tri-folded paper with poem text written in a radial pattern in different colored ballpoint ink. Small gold sheet of paper with poem text typed in center is tied with gold thread under the chiffon strip running across the center of the page. Whole piece is nested in orange and yellow jacquard fabric folded to resemble a book cover, with 2 orange buttons tied to 2 small pieces of paper reading ”Mike” and “Amelia.” Frayed strands from jacquard, chiffon, and crepe bundled between cover spine and poem paper.
Manila mailer envelope containing a sheet of Japanese paper folded with a piece of twine tied around middle. Piece opens to a square piece of green lace folded and tied loosely with white string. Green lace is folded around pink lace and floral printed organza folded accordion around piece of music score paper with ripped edges folded French-door around a piece of purple cellophane with a poem written in black ink, “Mike” in purple ink, signed.
Manila mailer envelope and tissue wrapped around a French-door folded Japanese paper with jacquard strip around middle to inside fabric with 2 tiger eye stone beads and white thread. Inside packet made up of yellow and blue jacquard wrapped in multiple strands of red, green, and pink threads with paper packet inside. Title is written on outside sheet of marbled paper wrapped and folded multiple times around a bundle of squares of floral printed quilting cotton and a piece of ripped envelope bearing “for you” “Mike” “packet poem” “Amelia.”
A Packet Poem, love for poem spring a butterfly
Manila mailer envelope containing tissue wrapped around packet poem held together with soft cotton rope, wrapped around cardboard printed with green and white paisley print with title written on bottom corner. Paisley board wrapped around black paper wrapped in thin chiffon strip, paper unfolds to white paper, gold paper, blue ribbon, gold ties and black chiffon strips. Opens to layers of green and black woven silk, black crepe, white, crepe, parchment paper, cut up peach chiffon, and thin metallic blue thread holding folded poem in center, signed.
Small manila mailer envelope, with title on verso, containing white Japanese tissue paper painted orange, folded around metallic gold and orange yarn. Paper opens to reveal yarn pulled tight across middle pulling a small piece of blue paper reading “Mike” tied with yellow thread. “(K)(E)(E)(P) (P)(O)(E)(T)(R)(Y) (F)(R)(E)(E)” typed along center of smaller sheet of paper.
Manila mailing envelope containing a tri-folded sheet of Japanese paper with small gold sticker. Paper folded around blue Japanese tissue paper French-door folded with multiple strands of blue floss on left side. Paper opens to collage of leaves, dark blue chiffon, thin yellow tissue, green thread, metallic purple thread, gold stickers, and text from Mike’s work “just thinking of Mike Belt.”
Pink floral chiffon strands wrapped woven and tied around folded sheet of off-white Japanese tissue paper. Outside of packet has dark pink and light pink sheets of chiffon on front flaps tied with unraveled strands, metallic gold, and pink threads. Inside contains chiffon strands suspending layers of floral chiffon strips nesting a paper collage of a flower painting and birthday wishes, signed.
Happy birthday Mike Belt flower love [small]
Mailer envelope wrapped in pink cellophane over collage of “happy birthday” containing a broken wooden snowflake, costume jewelry, thin pink printed paper doily folded around white plastic cord, paper flower, small square of astro-turf like material, folded around paper bearing “happy birthday” written in fading ink containing a small envelope containing another small envelope reading “11/7/47” on outside and “Mike Belt” written on inside. Larger paper wrapped around dried fern-like grasses.
[untitled: pink, yellow, cardboard, butterfly]
Painted reconstituted cardboard-like substrate glued to backing of open weave burlap painted brown and curled at edges. thin lace is glued to top layer with gold and pink threads tied through substrate held with beads on verso and long ends 2-5 inches loose on recto. Leaves and petals glued to top of lace. Plastic butterfly, plastic pearls, lace, and sticks, collaged thickly with glue and paint to form body of butterfly. Two black threads tied to head corners in a loop for hanging.
Piece had been arranged and framed by Helinka, removed from frame by archivist. White paper backing with 2 plastic rings tied to top with white string, poem written in pink ink for Ellen, signed Amelia, covered in pink cellophane, white 2 inch ribbon, pink and white striped lace, yellow decorative edging, a white lace flower, and a white hair net, tied down intricately with pink, gold, yellow, and white threads.
White Japanese paper with green and red chiffon tied with green, orange, and red threads. “Earth poem for Ellen” written in green ink on paper tied to red moon confetti, and “13th Moon” logo is printed on thin paper. Natural material under fabric.
White box lid on blue and white striped department store box, lid taped with brown paper tape bearing “open this side up” written in black felt tip marker on lid. Box damaged, all corners ripped on lid, box crushed. Box contains flat piece with two white plastic rings on verso head edge to hang piece. Work consists of 2 pieces of purple cellophane pressed around leaf in center, yellow and white chiffon layered over gold paper base, yellow and gold, twisted tassel, and white cotton cord, a bed of twigs and dried grasses, brown chiffon over pink, white and gold woven 1.5 inch fabric ribbon folded over work lengthwise. Gold and pink buttons are sewn to edges with pink and yellow thread and thread continues loosely through piece. “For please Mike Belt” collaged on small ripped piece of white paper between yellow fabric.
Gold and white Denby’s department store box covered in brown paper tape, crushed and damaged. Box contains green construction paper, green cellophane, loosely folded and tied fabrics, “flower” “spring” “Karl” written on small strips of fabric. Flowers folded into wax paper under fabric, bottom lined with yellow construction paper.
Wax paper wrapper bearing sticker with received date added by poetry staff upon receipt wrapped around white department store box with title typed on gold paper taped to top of box lid; blue, green, red, and gold tinsel pom pom and string tied around middle. Box is lined with pink foil and contains white Japanese paper wrapped around book-like card wrapped in green lace, silver crochet netting, red and white threads, and red and white beads. “Lockwood Memorial Library” is collaged on back of card with note of front of car. card filled with dried berries.
Fake leaf and flat stone masking taped to wax paper with “The leaf is in the tree” written in blue ink on the tape. wax paper is wrapped around a yellow department store box wrapped in yellow foil with pink and white ribbons wrapped around center of box holding blue fake leaf, fake orange buds, and fake white stems. “The leaf is in the tree” written on lined paper covered with blue cellophane and yellow foil tied on top of arrangement of fake flowers. Box is unopened
White department store box wrapped in wax paper. Box wrapped in blue metallic string tied around blue paper glued to lid of box partially folded tied to small plastic pearl, “Karl in a blue love” written in ink on paper. Box contains blue tissue wrapped around Japanese tissue tied shut with blue string and small pearl wrapped around loosely woven raffia machine embroidered with yellow and orange string, blue metallic string tied around blue Japanese paper bearing “Karl in a blue love” signed by Amelia.
White department store box with stem tied with silver and black metallic thread, and silver plastic raffia. Box contains tissue on top of a white and pink folded paper tied with thick silver crepe bow, black deconstructed fabric thread, maroon silks tied with white deconstructed threads, costume jewelry and rose petals tied with red thread. White paper package in center unopened.
White department store box with yellow string tied through lid holding leaves and string under purple cellophane to verso. Box contains green, pink, and blue tissue, purple and yellow silk rope, folded fabrics and strips of chiffon, and “Ellen” “June” “Flower Love” written on pieces of paper.
White department store box with silver Flah’s lid, masking tape, edges damaged. box contains tissue wrapped around loosely woven linen like fabric folded french-door style around paper and other fabric bundles all tied with pieces of deconstructed thread and chiffon strips. “13th Moon,” “Ellen” written on pieces of paper and tied in middle with purple thread.
White department store box with silver Flah’s lid, damaged. box contains tissue wrapped around work with large pink crepe tied into bow with “June” and “Flower” written on pieces of paper and tied to pink silk strip. Folded pieces of fabric wrapped in loose novelty yarn knit fabric.
Nest of twigs, leaves, velvet rope, metallic gauze, strips of paper, and blue, pink, and green chiffon loosely resting on top of silver department store box. Box contains strips of shredded tissue paper on top of blue chiffon wrapped around yellow paper with rainbow floss tied to yellow string sewn tightly through whole piece. Piece opens like book and contains pages of gold metallic cable knit fabric and blue chiffon wrapped around ripped up cover of 13th Moon and a pink fabric flower. “For Ellen and June love Amelia" written on back cover.
Large padded mailer envelope wrapped in cotton cord containing white department store box wrapped in white tissue stained pink and layers of gray tissue both glued to bottom of box, “dear heart Mike” written on gray tissue inside drawn heart, lace in window cut out of gray tissue on other side. Lid of box has flower petals glued into shape of heart bearing “dear heart Mike,” tissue taped around petals, pink yarn and other collage elements all glued to layers of wax paper, message under layer of wax paper that has been cut and lifted to be revealed. Inside of box contains tissue wrapped around collage of seeds, beads, plastic toy jewelry, plastic flowers, fabric, yarn, string, and tissue all completely saturated in glue. Collage folded to fit in box and resting on tissue.
Large padded brown mailer envelope wrapped in twine and green tassel rope, fabric flower pinned to verso. Envelope contains white department store box, crushed, wrapped in variegated pink, white, blue yarn, signed inside lid in pink ink. Box contains pink tissue wrapped around packet with dark pink threads holding tassels of shells and beads. Inside packet consists of pieces of Japanese tissue paper with whole leaves pressed into paper sewn with pink thread, handwritten “Happy Birthday” Mike Belt” “flower” “love” sitting on top of tan and cream sateen, woven off-white fabric bundled under paper and long group of chiffon threads tied to packet folded around tissue and red fabric flower.
Tan and gold printed Denby’s department store box with pieces of paper bearing “there’s a package” “for you” “from Amelia” typed and taped to recto of box top. Box contains long red grasses curved along edges of box with glued and ripped cardboard covered in pink tissue paper cradling a packet of postcard, white chiffon, purple cellophane, silk purple flowers, yellow silk flower pin with “Mike” written in felt marker. Postcard bears note to Mike, and title.
Dear Mike / in a small bowl in a little water place one by one materials and thread
White department store box, gold lid, damaged, containing purple cellophane laid on top of a white card with note "Dear Mike/ in a small bowl in a little water place one by one materials and thread / Amelia" laid on top of chiffon, pipe cleaner, thread, beads, feathers, leaves, seed pods, flowers, and 2 small pieces of paper bearing “e,” “o.”
White department store box with printed green paisley cardboard taped to box lid and bottom, top piece bearing “open this side up” written in felt tip marker. Box contains layers of tissue with Lenny’s memorial poem under first layer of tissue and “Silent Love” beneath the second layer. Silent Love book is green with pink construction paper and dark blue chiffon and red string tied around center. Center page has rose leaves and petals inside, signed. Lenny’s poem envelope is wrapped in neutral chiffon containing white card. Poem typed in long column on left hand side of page of 8.5x11 typewriter paper folded top to recto, bottom to verso around card and wrapped in black chiffon band. Leaf wrapped in square of chiffon inside card. Paisley cardboard loose on bottom of box.
White mailed envelope with gold tape and pink heart sticker containing book-like card with 3 pages, entire piece wrapped in netting. Center page is a postcard collaged with gold butterfly, heart, fabric flower, rose petals, buttons, and pink thread.
I have found my heart in the earth. I have seen the first robin of spring
Book-like object created out of handmade paper and reconstituted cardboard held together with white string and glue keeping it from fully opening. Ceramic heart shaped button and dried flowers tied to cover and “To Ellen Marie Helinka” handwritten on front cover, “With love Amelia” on back cover. Inside contains pine needles, muslin, and “I have found my heart in the Earth. I have seen the first robin of spring.”
Envelope wrapped in wax paper containing white card, poem typed in long column on left hand side of page of 8.5x11 typewriter paper folded top to recto, bottom to verso around card and wrapped in black chiffon band. Leaf in square of chiffon inside. Poem in honor of Amelia's brother who committed suicide.
typewriter paper, chiffon, plant material, envelope
No longer able to write letters only poetry
White envelope containing trifold sheet of paper bearing “star love M Belt flower” written on recto. Black, frayed, chiffon fabric strip wrapped around middle with dried flower on stem glued carefully over “M” written in center of a heart. Chiffon and paper cut in radial pattern center back, recto of front flap bears “flower” handwritten.
Video recording of Paula Claire opening, reading, and describing her collection of Amelia Etlinger works in chronological order. Videographer is Paula Claire's husband Paul San Casciani.