mjd 2014 - no act is too small

one small stitch at a time

makes for work that is intentional and time consuming 

in the best possible way. 

mjd 2014 - no act is too small

as makers we are gifted with the ability 

(with much practice and attention)

to speak our hearts and minds

through our willing hands.

mjd 2014 - no act is too small

how fortunate is that?

------

consider the strength of one stitch.

then consider the strength of many.

how much power resides

in each act of kindness,

each act of bravery (no matter how large or small),

each thought of gratitude,

each expression of love and compassion?

mjd 2014 - no act is too small

while one alone holds it's own integrity,

the accumulation over a lifetime can be staggering.

mjd 2014 - no act is too small

no act of kindness or generosity is insignificant. 

every day awakening

mjd - 2014

every day contains the opportunity 

to awaken.

we think of spring as earth's awakening,

but it occurs each day

whether or not we take notice.

there is a season for all things in nature -

and all deserve our attention

and wonder.

the same applies to you -

days of questions

days of answers

we don't always know what we are going to get.

but we can make the effort

to be sure we are present

so as to know the difference

and to learn whatever lesson

each holds.

so long as you breathe,

it's never too late. 

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.

whispers

ever softly - mjd 2014

a whisper 

uttered

oh so softly,

an embrace 

that holds you 

oh so gently

assuring that 

you'll be alright. 

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

a talisman to ward off thoughts that a gentle nature is a sign of weakness - i don't know of anything stronger than an open, kind heart. 

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. 

shine

we know
we know.

and  yet we fight it.

fragile strength talisman - shine - mjd 2013

to know light, 

we must know darkness.

in the depths of the pit,

when it rises past your nose

and your eyes are at risk of sinking beneath
that which is known
and that which is unknown,

you'll see it. 

the light.

it may be small,

seem dim,

but it's there. 

it is all you need to begin the ascent. 

you define how you rise. 

mjd - 2013

and while the work is yours, 

you have never been alone.

as it grows in strength

you notice, 

it's no longer in front of you,

but within you. 

what you saw from the deep

was the light of another.

the opportunity is revealed - 

with your strengthening glow

will you show the way

to another who is lost? 

mjd - 2013

shine on.

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!)

of the essence

mjd 2013

fragile as a leaf
or a petal
decaying after its show
of lushness and vibrancy.

form and essence 
are left behind.

but which truly is more delicate -
the glossy leaf
or its skeletal remains?

mjd 2013

perhaps the tracery
of veins and stem
are not as fragile
as they appear.

for what remains
belies the inherent strength
of that which supported life,

yet goes unseen

until that which
distracts
has quietly eroded
away.

leaves

patina leaf - mjd 2012

i have missed making leaves.

so i ventured upon 

an adaptation

using pin weaving
instead of metal heating
and beating.

pin weaving - mjd 2013

building a leaf

made of natural fibers

triggered meditation

upon impermanence.

woven fiber leaf - mjd 2013

the most important moment

is the one at hand.

the tender heart

mjd - 2013

in our (mistaken) attempt to guard the heart
against vulnerability 
and pain,

mjd - 2013

we can isolate it 

from tenderness

and connection.