balm for the soul weary

lightly - with a slightly curved shield shape

'lightly, child, lightly.

you've got to learn to do everything lightly.

think lightly, act lightly, feel lightly.

yes, feel lightly, even though you are feeling deeply.'

aldous huxley - island

you have seen this passage here before because it touches me... a big thank you to robyn for reminding me of it when my scattered brain temporarily forgot it when i needed it most... the copper pieces were already on my bench as i had made them before the storm... how fitting to find the message awaiting me in my safe place -

and a huge thank you to all who commented on my last post... i was so deeply moved i decided to keep your words private;  please don't feel offended if you don't see them posted.

through the eyes of a fifteen-year-old

me: hey alex, can you help me rake the yard?

a: mom, seriously, there is nothing to rake... 

me: right, let's go... 

after we were done, that man-child and i headed to the backyard where he dug the hole we needed to bury his sister's bunny...


have i told you lately how grateful i am for these kids? and how much i love them?

warm heart

i began the day sharing my thoughts on life being a beautiful struggle, bittersweet on the love my art jewelry blog ... 

as the hours passed, my heart swelled almost to bursting by some of the beautiful that came into this day... i am so grateful... 

one of the things i received was this candle holder made by my daughter in her ceramics class - it is a forest of about 60 trees... the thought and time she put into this staggered me... how well she knows her mama, the things that bring me peace... when the kids were younger, we would often read 'stopping by woods on a snowy evening'... and one of our favorite places is deep into a forest trail... 

'the woods are lovely, dark and deep.

but i have promises to keep,

and miles to go before i sleep.'

~ robert frost

the most heartfelt thanks to those who lifted me up today... xo

not to go unspoken/written

gratitude opens

'silent gratitude isn't very much to anyone.'

~ gertrude stein

this community means so very much to me... not merely as the place we play show and tell (though i really do love that)... but a place where we connect and share our lives to different degrees... our thoughts, our dreams, our struggles... i mean where else could i muse upon the things i do and get supportive feedback in return? my kids stick with me for a bit... but it is here that we open up... 

life for many people can be isolating - by design or by location... and with a computer we are set free...

i am grateful that i spent the morning with my kids - we are only all together for breakfast and through the macy's thanksgiving day parade... a divorced family - i traded thanksgiving dinner in order to have halloween each year... life is a compromise... so i made stuffing and brownies yesterday... and pancakes this morning... 

we watched the charlie brown thanksgiving special last night - and it makes me laugh how the commentary changes as they grow...

 i am grateful for the 14 yr. old man/child who has me in training for the olympic patience competition... i believe i have a shot at placing... 

for the blossoming young woman who is the apple of her brothers' (& my) eyes...  and who is so patient with her whirlwind of a little brother who has been a miracle in his own right and for whom i could not imagine my life without... 

i am grateful...

celebrating life

how can we celebrate every day?

with gratitude - 

no matter how bad things can seem, there is always something to be thankful for... 

with purpose -

time is short, life is short - do something everyday that you can be proud of... it doesn't have to be big, just meaningful...

with love -

sometimes love gets buried under all kinds of waxy build up... and it seems hard... life can be difficult... but the crazy heart knows that love is the easiest thing of all to do... what or who we love differs from person to person, but the emotion is present for all to experience... so maybe the crazy heart is not so crazy after all...

friday gratitude

grateful for:


friends who take the time to express their thoughts and feelings, extending warmth and providing support... 


my aunt getting through her repeat pet scan - the first one should couldn't tolerate for more than 3 minutes because of the pain in her back... this time she finished the full time - what a relief... they even allowed family in the room with her so we could give her progress reports and let her know how much time she had left... whatever information the report brings, at least it is a starting point for a plan... repeat biopsy on monday... 


kids getting through (and for the most part enjoying) their first week of school... 


our neighborhood kids who ride in the suburban with us in the morning and for some reason are comfortable enough in the car to yammer in front of me and even include me at times!


my wonderful family who has proven yet again that in times of trouble, the herd pulls in tight around the weakest member... 


65* mornings & open windows... 

(poor picture) these faces that greet me when i pull up - and then disappear because they are running downstairs... unless there is something really interesting going on in the nearby trees...


the realization that for the show i have tomorrow (and have not worked on at ALL) - no one knows that i make different things from last year... and that i sold pieces last year... and that i can privately view it as a moving out the old inventory sale... 

grateful for a 64 color world...

life is like a box of crayons. most people are the 8-color boxes, but what you're really looking for are the 64-color boxes with the sharpeners on the back. i fancy myself to be a 64-color box, though i've got a few missing. it's ok though, because i've got some more vibrant colors like periwinkle at my disposal. i have a bit of a problem though in that i can only meet the 8-color boxes. does anyone else have that problem? i mean there are so many different colors of life, of feeling, of articulation.. so when I meet someone who's an 8-color type.. i'm like, hey girl, magenta! and she's like, oh, you mean purple! and she goes off on her purple thing, and i'm like, no - i want magenta!

- john mayer

this quote made me smile (it doesn't limit itself to partners in my mind) and  i just wanted to share it...

the blogging community that i have found myself now very attached to has really stretched me in so many ways... there are people doing awesome things creatively with their art, people thinking deeper and sharing insights, people allowing us to see the world through their eyes... it's awesome...

i find that my thinking is altering from 'can i?' to 'i can sure try'... and my kids do the same - one is involved in writer's realm & loves photoshop, another draws and does impressions (you should hear his mrs. doubtfire) and another is a creative thinker who is addicted to glass blowing... they inspire me... while the goal is always to be a great role model for my kids, i really do want to maximize whatever time it is i have here...

the final line of the song 'can't stop' by the red hot chili peppers (love their music - we were at the concert where they recorded their 'snow, hey oh' video) always leaves me mindful

'this life is more than just a read through.'

kids off to school this am, feeling a huge itch to get going doing something, but having too many ideas at once... inspired by what you all are doing and thinking... need to take a breath and center...

thanks for sharing your 64 color world!

'breathe' made manifest

a follow up to my last post ~ and for the wonderful comments received, i thank you...

one always feels better when something gets done after a hiatus of creating ~ am i right? you wonder if all inspiration has deserted you... it's there, just needs the opportunity, i guess...

here's how i used the tiny little charm that kept me centered... it keeps wonderful company with a stoneware link from mellisa at chinook jewelry designs, four different lampwork glass beads from mary ann at linden avenue designs & an ivory glass bead from cate at zippybeads... united with copper chain and wire that i antiqued to soften the effect... paddled headpins were made because i felt they had better 'flow' with their unbroken line... earthy, rustic, understated, natural - just like breathing...

thich nhat hanh, the vietnamese buddhist monk, teaches a practice of mindful breathing and has a meditation poem to go along with it...

in, out
deep, slow
calm, ease
smile, release
present moment, wonderful moment

the work of life

'i will not let anyone walk through my mind with dirty feet.'
- gandhi

'no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.'

- eleanor roosevelt

like meditation and yoga, self-healing is a practice... it is daily work... i have certain mantras that i use in different situations, while striving to do and not just to try... being immersed in my creative space can even temporarily free me from negative feelings or environmental conditions and guide me toward those more uplifting...

'at times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.'
- albert schweitzer

i know i have used those words before, but they have a more universal application this time... that thanks go to family, friends, new acquaintances and members of this community... a reminder for me that those who extend compassion and/or empathy have their own lives as well... and it is critical not to drain their spirit... while never done selfishly, it is careless and unmindful... an extra amount of attentiveness to this is added to my list... for i definitely try to live by the 'first do no harm' principle & to be supportive of others... it is my sole responsibility to not let the tinders go out...

i know i am a bit of a quote hound, but i am inspired by the wisdom of those who have lived and lived well... so at the age of 43, here's a goal -

'i am not afraid of storms, for i am learning how to sail my own ship.'
- louisa may alcott

gratitude

'at times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.'
- albert schweitzer

no doubt, the appropriate way to begin this blog is to say 'thank you' - to family and friends who love and encourage and to the amazing artists i have met through etsy who have helped me to grow and create in ways that i didn't know i could...

since joining etsy and discovering the artists that dwell there, i have been more inspired than ever and pushed myself harder... and i am so happy for that... maybe it's because i feel like i know the people behind the art, so i feel more responsible to do their work justice with my work... there is a connection that exists when you purchase directly - even though your new friends are in other parts of the country or even canada... they have all been patient and kind when i shoot out my ideas and ask for custom orders - i thank you all for that...

i would like to mention in particular (but in no particular order!)

mak at MAKUstudio for her beautiful raku beads
beth at hintjewelry for her inspiring and eloquently created charms
cathy at cathydailey for her unique sterling components created in the art of lost wax casting
nicole at NValentineStudio for her incredible glass work - especially the goddesses!
rocki at RockisSupplies for her metal work providing ear wires and clasps that i choose not to work without
donna at purplepozies for her beautiful glass beads that i count on
maryann at LindenAvenueDesigns for glass offerings that support my eclectic nature
marie at BleuVerre for inspiration and unique glass beads that i count on for my funky days

so thank you one and all for helping me to do what i love ~ creating with pieces i love to touch and work with, pieces i can feel the hands and imagination of the artist in... i have a connection to the final designs when they are done for when i look at them, i think of each of you and how you helped to make it happen...