Pieces of me: Eartha Kitt

Eartha Kitt, singer Photograph: Dan Callister/Guardian

'Handcraft is very important to me; this is a footstool I made. I remember picking cotton in the fields of South Carolina as a child and maybe that’s why 'I’m still doing needlepoint. It’s hard work picking cotton in the middle of summer and so damn hot. I know how important the fingers are to survival — and the brains. I’ve always felt that the flaws of my life have made me who I am and therefore I am not regretful. I treasure every moment' Photograph: Dan Callister/Guardian

'These are the legs of a large coffee table [the glass top is not visible] and is from my fans. I have been told that this represents my personality: I act like a cat, move like a cat, and growl. I’m very happy to make a comfortable living doing something I love. Everything comes from what I get from the audience. I love it when the audiences are diversified — old, middle-aged, black and pink' Photograph: Dan Callister/Guardian

'This is a note from my daughter. She is the treasure of my life. She and I are one and the same person. I’m very glad that I brought her into the world' Photograph: Dan Callister/Guardian

'The garnet is my birthstone. It was given to me by Prince Sadruddin Khan [the former UN diplomat and son of Aga Khan], as he thought of me as a little pet. I had warm feelings for this man. Aly Khan, his half-brother, was married to Rita Hayworth and they came to see me all the time' Photograph: Dan Callister/Guardian

'This little vase was given to me for my 81st birthday by my friend Sarah, whose things are absolutely wonderful. It seems as if her whole spirit goes into her work. My whole spirit goes into my creative endeavours, too' Photograph: Dan Callister/Guardian

'There’s a saying that if you live long enough you’ll get an award for something; I was 80 when I got my Emmy for having the best voice in the business. I was always called the bedroom voice. I love men and love to tease them; I don’t like humour which has to do with putting other people down. I don’t feel as if I should insult myself or my business to become wealthy. Greed is so destructive' Photograph: Dan Callister/Guardian

'I’m terribly enamoured with nature, much more than material things such as diamonds. I get mood sustenance and energy from nature; I’m always collecting things that I can teach children about. This bird’s nest is symbolic of the fact that we all feel we are entitled to a home that we can afford. My home is what I have worked for. I am very proud of that' Photograph: Dan Callister/Guardian

'A sculpture from the Iroquois Indians. Tammy Tarbell, who made it, said she wanted to create the feeling of a woman being the epitome of caring, the creator of life. I always get things from the indigenous people wherever I go because the money goes directly to them' Photograph: Dan Callister/Guardian

'Every time I hear these maracas they remind me of the Australian Aborigines who made them' Photograph: Dan Callister/Guardian

This medical kit is from South Africa, 1974 and was worn as jewellery by medicine men. I feel that I have no colour or creed. We have to be able to learn from one another and move forward as one' Photograph: Dan Callister/Guardian