To Kali...

"The greatest masterpieces were once only pigments on a palette."

~Henry Hoskins~

I love the creative process.  It all begins with an idea.  It could be a simple thought or the elaborate daydream of manifesting something only you, the creator, can visualize.  For me, creating jewelry is  my main artistic medium and thoroughly fulfills my innate creative muse.  Recently, when working on  the copper pendant below, affectionally named "Kali", after the Goddess of Transformation, I had an epiphany...art, whatever the medium, is so symbolic of life.  Okay, I know, it's been said before, but it was the first time I truly embraced this comparison.  I worked on Kali, shaping her, bending her.  I hammered her, heated her, dowsed her.  There were times along her creative path that were ugly and uncomfortable, when I felt like discarding Kali and starting over.  But I didn't give up.  I continued working on her until she was complete.  And in her completion, she is still not perfect, for her slight imperfections and roughness make her completely unique and beautiful.  

I am Kali.  I have been shaped and formed, yes, I've been hammered, bent and put through the fire.  But all these things, even the unpleasant and unsightly experiences in my life have formed and shaped the individual I am today.  And I am happy with that.  No, I am not perfect and I am a little rough around the edges, but I'm on a continual path of transformation and growth. I encourage you today to embrace the changes that come your way. For it is only through the forging circumstances of life that we become stronger and more unique individuals, contributing to this amazing universe.

To Kali... 

Creative Blocks

"MUSICAL FAIRY"

"Smash creative blocks. Change the problem or sneak up on it from a different direction. Try something fresh - a new way with an old theme, a different point of view, unusual tool". 

~Nita Leland~

So what causes them and how does one "overcome" them??  I've been thinking a lot lately about creative blocks and obstacles, primarily because from time to time (more often than I like to admit), they creep into my mind and simply do not want to vacate my right-brain.  I've read articles and blogs, all of which offer varying solutions to battling and overcoming blocks.  Perhaps the best advice I've received is from my dear friend and talented jewelry artistan Leanne Emory of Triskele Moon Studios.  She says, "The best thing to do for myself is to walk away from the studio for however long it takes..typically, that will be the time that I look at other outlets of creativity (looking at other types of art besides jewelry, reading, journaling)".  Great advice!  And now I'm going to follow it...


Two years ago, I received a beautiful acoustic guitar for Christmas; a lovely and thoughtful gift (which I had placed on my wish list).  Guess what?  Two years later, this amazing instrument is in my closet; a sad, sad place for music to hide.  So to mix up my creative outlets and get some different types of juices flowing, I finally signed up for lessons! This doesn't mean I won't be working on my jewelry; contrarily, I feel confident this new path of self expression will open up my soul to even more unique creative abilities.  


Thanks to Leanne for this great advice; it was just what I needed to get out of my rut.  I'm already feeling like making something new!  

Wishing you all a beautiful week filled with lots of love, magic

and creativity! 

(sans any creative blocks!)

Release...

"Suffering is not holding you. You are holding suffering.

When you become good at the art of letting sufferings go,

then you'll come to realize how unnecessary it was for you

to drag those burdens around with you. You'll see that no

one else other than you was responsible. The truth is that

existence wants your life to become a festival."

~Osho~ 

Wow...isn't this a beautiful quote?  I love the idea of my life becoming a FESTIVAL.  Tonight is about releasing the things in my life that are holding me back from achieving my highest goals and potential.  I let them go, and affirm that I am open and receptive to all good!


Speaking of good things, I've been working on some new things for Fall.  I completed a couple of necklaces this weekend and am working diligently (as time permits) on wire wrapping some of my recently soldered pendants.  I tried some new things this time around, and am pleasantly surprised with the outcome.  

Colors of Autumn

Rich, deep and warm are the colors of Autumn, my favorite time of the year. Fall ushers in a kaleidoscope of magnificent hues. And not to mention the fun rituals that surround this time of the year. 

**Bonfires, and pumpkins and hayrides, oh my**

I really think my love of this season stems from my October birthday. Even though we are losing light each day, there's something magical and ceremonial about this time of the year. Harvest is ending and it is time for reflection and giving thanks. And it's also a time to focus on balance. Symbolic of this is the delicate dance between light and dark now; for we know Winter is fast approaching. So simply enjoy this beautiful time of the year. Embrace the change and have fun decorating with all the colorful bounty Autumn brings. And remember...to always give thanks!

;-)

"Nobody trips over mountains.  It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble.  Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain".  

~Author Unknown~

Greetings, friends!  I hope you are all happy, well and enjoying these beautiful early Autumn days.  Yes, it's been a while and I love this quote because it is so true!  It would seem that I have been stumbling over some small pebbles the last couple of months, and although I have been distracted from my true passions (you all know what those are), I have been busy here and there, creating a little, researching a little, and yes....I even have a new blog design which I'm so excited to share with you!  I still need to organize my sidebar, but I'm so pleased with the new layout and artwork.  Karen from Valentine Design built me a beautiful and unique design - she was able to take my very elaborate explanation and bring it into fruition.  I would highly recommend her services to anyone seeking custom blog design.

Oh, yes, Gallery in the Garden was a magical and wonderful event I'm hopeful to be a part of for years to come.  Not only was I able to contribute to an incredible cause, I made some equally magical friends.  May I just say, I've admired Leanne Emory's work for several years (Triskele Moon Studios).  Her designs are so unique;  delicately and precisely detailed.  I had the opportunity to meet Leanne and Kelly at Gallery in the Garden, and I feel blessed and honoured to now call them friends.  So many positive things about participating in this event; I'll definitely be back in 2012.

Now, for a few things I've been "slowly" working to complete.  I've also been working on some custom projects, all of which should be completed soon (fingers crossed).  Thank you for visiting my special little place of whimsy.  My goal (I always have a few) is to ignore those small, annoying pebbles and GET SOME THINGS ACCOMPLISHED!!! Oh, I miss it so when I'm away...

THE BEST CREATION EVER, BUT I CANNOT TAKE CREDIT FOR THIS ONE!

Coming Up Soon - Gallery in the Garden!

A new adventure; a new endeavor.  I have been accepted to participate this year in a wonderful art event, "Gallery in the Garden", located at 600 Lawndale Avenue, Woodstock, Illinois.  Now in its sixth year, all artists who participate in this event donate a portion of all their proceeds to "CASA" (Court Appointed Special Advocates of McHenry Country).  CASA, founded in 2005, provides trained volunteers to advocate for child victims of abuse and neglect in Juvenile Court and in the foster care system.  I am so excited to be part of this very special event.  I've been working diligently on some new items, specifically for the Gallery festivities (July 30th and 31st).  I'd especially like to thank Patricia Lynn Eagle, an incredible jewelry artisan and instructor at The Constant Muse Art Studio in Crystal Lake, IL.  She recommended my pursuit of this particular show, and I truly appreciate her encouragement.  

My first decoupage dress form!  I really wanted one for display.  She took a long time to make!

Stained Glass Pendant - I really love this color!

Etched Metal, Riveted Cherub, Soldered Stained Glass

Another Etched Metal Pendant - My Favorite, I Think!

 

Hope to see you there!