work being finished for sept. 21

stamped discs - mjd 2013

the international day of peace approaches.

my plan was for a woven project,

but only metals could finish it off 

the way i saw it/heard it

in my head. 

the way prayer wheels are spun 

to carry the mantra out into the world,

i stamped each disc 

with something meaningful.

brass chimes - mjd 2013

i made small chimes

of shining brass 

and decided to give the elements 

a chance

of imparting their own patina.

woven peace flag - mjd 2013

a simple flag - 

with a bit of stitching

and an opening, 

that necessary opening,

to represent the wound

'where the light gets in'. 

thank you, rumi. 

the blog where projects will be shared

is as heartfelt and humble as they come. 

it isn't too late to join in

should you choose -

just send me an email 

and we'll get you set up.

or just stop in to see 

what talented souls

with peaceful hearts 

have made to honor the day.

small stash of metal bits discovered

karma - 2013

'actions send out ripples.

karma brings it back,'

so said a wise woman to me.

turquoise, amethyst and lapis

stones associated with karma 

 be still - 2013

in stillness,

one feels

both floatingly heady 

and deeply rooted.

our world, 

our lives

are fiercely beautiful

and command our attention.

are you present?

sparkling iolite and earthy vesuvianite 

joy - 2013

'smile, breathe and go slowly.'

thich nhat hanh

embrace joy.

turquoise and carnelian

quiet work

word's out -

well, the cat is officially out of the bag... 

and i couldn't be happier - 

all of the patina work i have been doing has been headed here - 

to the uber talented, very very lovely shannon levart - aka missficklemedia!

she is creating a community of makers - and i thank her so much for including me in it... 

this opportunity has forced me to stretch, to experiment and learn more about the patinas, to explore wire forms, and create my own etched images... to push myself to be better than i am - for who would want to have anything sub-par in such a meaningful, high quality venture?

thanks, shan, for being one of those lights at the end of the tunnel - 

btw

'words are the voice of the heart.'

~ confucius

thoughts, words, actions ... 

crazy heart
soul sister
brave heart
sisu
heart song

the way to peace

'there is no way to peace

peace is the way.'

~ a.j. muste

i had been reluctant to put certain things in my speaking your truth shop... but i realized last night that it was a part of the process... promoting peace comes from how one reaches out into the world and how one treats themselves... 

many years ago, i bought a simple cord necklace with a small om charm... it was expensive, i don't know why... well i do, but it doesn't matter... the point is, it meant the world to me and was a touch stone in my pre-etsy, pre-beth hemmila days... 

so i got to thinking about the people who are looking for a small something to hold, or to work with, that carried a powerful message for them... to create something for themselves or someone they care about... that they could put their own hands and imaginations on... 

peace ~

in pursuit of freedom

(it's mine)

i can save you money!

i cannot, it's a jest - but it is the best i can do with this ~


you know those beautiful texturizing hammers? the expensive ones? that we want? well, i was shown a way to get one without all of that cost... here's what you need - 


1 - a chasing hammer
2 - metal punches
3- a piece of practice sheet copper
4- a curious & bright child


i know you have this figured out already, but here's how it goes -
'look mom, i got the bird to stamp on the sheet!' 
me:  'that's great, let me come and looooooooooooooooooook. oh... great job hon, but how about next time you use the hammer that looks like the one that lives in the garage.'
breathe in & out...
ok, i have read that you should felt cover your hammer end anyway - it prevents any marking... so now i have this cool distressed looking effect - which i don't mind... who needs that raw silk texturing hammer? not me! :0)


onward and upward!


got 2 pairs of earrings made -

'what we think, we become.'

-the buddha 

dispelling the negative earrings made of turquoise and copper - naturals for healing and purifying... spiral represents the negative being drawn out, copper and sterling wires guide it away...

'life in abundance comes only through great love.'

- elbert hubbard

abundance earrings are made with a wheat sheaf motif... wheat being symbolic of abundance... beautiful green lampwork beads by mary ann at linden avenue designs are added because i thought of van gogh's wheat field paintings with cypress trees included in the composition... 

oh & p.s., i broke down and bought one the other day - when i was shocked at the shipping, i realized - i had ordered a HAMMER! i am very excited...