from paper to metal to paper

words... 

offerings - photo book - mjdodd 

they have always been important to me - as a child, i would read through my grandparents' bartlett's book of quotations. i was fascinated by how people had lived & what they spoke about, what others have felt is important to be remembered and referred to. 

when i first started blogging, i would share words that had inspired me in the making of adornment. 

but then i started sharing my own thoughts on the work - and how the work shaped the words. 

simple phrases would have larger descriptions.

mjd 2015 offering bowl

then larger passages made their way onto metal work - at the prompting of an online peer. 

mjd 2015 offering bowl

first set in bowls and then made into wall plaques.

mjd 2016 wall plaque

mjd 2016 wall plaque

and now it comes back to the written word - and pages of my own. i have compiled two books of my writings - one with photos of the work, one a traveler's companion. my hope is that the traveler's companion will be put in a pocket or backpack or such and get worn, written in, pages folded - used. 

mjd 2016 photo book cover

mjd 2016 offerings - interior spread

mjd 2016 offerings - back

it is here that i feel most vulnerable, for the compositions in words come from the heart and spirit. nothing is hidden and it is definitely non-fiction. but so too is it sincere, with a deep desire to connect from a place of love and understanding - to foster peace and compassion. 


*** so it seems my comment boxes on the blog are missing - if you need to reach me you can do so at mairedodd@gmail.com *** thanks!

in the rawness

mjd - be still/rawness - 2015

in the stillness,

hone your mind. 

know it,

understand how it works.

then immerse yourself 

in the rawness 

that is life. 

let the love that fills you

spill out

and 

over.

let it quench

parched hearts.

let it bring life

to seeds
that are dormant
from neglect.

mjd - be still/rawness - 2015

a giveaway in the name of gratitude

be still necklace - mjd 2014

porcelain jiz0 - matt leavitt

the universe exists in a drop of water.

the universe exists in a fluttering green leaf.

the universe exists in you.

be still 

and know.

in appreciation for the support and care that comes from this community, i offer a giveaway of this necklace (made by me) and this beautiful jizo (made by matt leavitt). i will choose a name on april 15th, not for tax day but for the spectacular lunar eclipse that will occur that night. you don't have to post in other places, nor do you have to visit my fb or instagram pages. just leave a message here on this post. 

in thanks, 

mary jane

capturing stillness

fragile strength talisman/be still - mjd 2014

at first

we seem to catch moments 

of stillness

the way we did 

fireflies

as children.

seeing their flashing light,

we would run carefully

up to them

trying to catch them 

ever so gently 

in cupped hands.

exciting and unique moments,

we feel like 

it must have been the place

or time

that brought it into being

for us.

and so we return 

to that place or time

to find it again. 

fragile strength talisman/be still - mjd 2014

awareness

trickles in 

as we contemplate

how to return to to this place

of tranquility.

we begin to notice 

that stillness 

is not about

external circumstances

or

perfect states of being,

nor 

are they required to be 

present first for 

stillness to exist.

as our moments accumulate,

they grow closer and closer

together.

in the gathering awareness,

we come to realize

that moments of quietude

are always within our grasp.

fragile strength talisman/be still - mjd 2014

we hold the key 

to make them manifest.

and with that knowledge, 

we walk in light. 

'not seeking,

not expecting,

she is present,

and can welcome all things.'

- lao tzu