small offerings

mjd - 2014 small offering bowl

offerings have a way 

of travelling. 

these came to me and 

the idea wouldn't leave.

so through my heart and hands

small offering bowls are now made - 

i often tremble 

when i begin,

the potential energy 

of body and spirit

coming to a readiness. 

as i stamp

fire

hammer

fire

hammer

repeat

repeat

...

these thoughts

words and ideas 

are 

set out into the ether.

the ether 

that you inhabit

the ether

that holds the moon

the ether

that caresses blades of grass

as it moves past.

mjd  - 2014 small offering bowls

i have always found a deep sense of peace

when working with my hands. 

but this idea of small metal efforts

that are shaped like cupped hands

and have

been worked with 

not just fire

and steel

but love 

and peace

so that you might make an offering

to whatever is meaningful in your life 

and to take it wherever you need it

resonates. 

mjd - 2014 small shrine

your own little place

to find calm

and stillness.

mjd - 2014 small shrine mats

balance

in metal

and textiles.

mjd - 2014 small offering bowl in pouch

the hammer marks

and stitches

evidence of moments.

the precious moments 

that make up our lives. 

within the darkness

within the darkness - mjd - 2014

when you are ensconced in darkness

it may seem as if darkness is all that exists -

that there can only be more 

of what you are experiencing 

and feeling. 

but the truth of the matter

is that at the core of the darkness

one finds light. 

as long as you live and breathe

as long as you have choices to make,

it's there. 

you must trust 

and open,

because the light is you.

set yourself free

and shine. 

for when you do,

you illuminate your world. 

---------------

this focal is made with a vintage foil-backed cab - so that you might see yourself when you look into it. 

spring beckons

pin - mjd - 2014 

spring beckons.

beneath the snow

tendrils of green

seek the warmth of the sun

and the nourishment 

of the earth.

mjd - 2014

like us,

requiring the balance

of that which enlightens

and that which grounds.

revitalized by the stillness

and peace of winter,

yet challenged by its physical nature,

as seekers of light,

we are reawakened 

and ready to stretch.

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. 

it began with a pouch

fragile strength talisman - mjd 2013

it began with the making of a pouch - 

thoughts of being able to keep that which you treasure close... but with the option of changing it, as our needs do not remain the same.

spiral carved into stone

the other side got a mandala.

to offer support on your way

i offer

wisdom (pearl)

clarity (crystal)

healing (ancient baltic amber)

balance - finding connection to earth and the infinite (stone)

connection to your inner voice (grey moonstone)

stitching and knotting and braiding - the necklace is made of linen, silk, cotton, muslin, with antique venetian glass beads and a few vesuvianite stones. 

a very meditative piece to make - 

homage continues

mjd - 2013 - linen leaves with stitching

no matter what the medium

i am drawn to leaves.

mjd - 2013 - linen leaves with stitching

their fragile strength

and beauty

mjd - 2013 - linen leaves with stitching

their most important role

in the life cycle

mjd - 2013 - linen leaves with stitching

i breathe in 

and i am connected to the trees

i breathe out

and i am connected to the trees. 

you too.

in ever so many ways,

we are all connected.

(but that is a topic for another post!)

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.