Going Too Fast...

Live your life like the wind.

Speed up when necessary,
And know when to slow down.

Slow down when life pushes so hard and fast,
You cannot consume anymore air.

Slow down when you can't see
Where you're going
Or where you're coming from.

Take time to stop and realize
What you have right in front of you
When you cannot find what you're looking for.

When you cannot find what you want in someone else,
Look inside of yourself.

Don't sweat the small things,
And make the best of the big things.

Cherish the experiences you've had,
And use the lessons you've learned.

Our lives are rubber bands,
Bending and stretching to fit
Even the most awkward situations.

You can adapt to anything,
Regardless of its size or shape.

You just have to realize and use
What you have in your own hands.

~~ Author Unknown ~~

I've had to slow down and breathe, slowly and deeply.  I've had to rest for a while.  But I miss this space of my own; this place of peace.  I have also missed visiting my favorite places.  Being here now makes me realize why I embrace this outlet of sharing.  Thank you for sharing it with me.  Thanks for caring.  Thanks for your support, kind words and encouragement.  

Some new creations that have been in the works for a while...more to come!  

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

~Robert Frost 

I am happy to return to this space, this place of peace and solitude and support.  The past few weeks have been sad and difficult and challenging, but it is true that the tough times we experience in life often make us stronger.  Thank you to all our friends and family who provided much needed love and support.

This post is dedicated to my mother-in-law, Agnes Correia, who was always the life of the party.  Despite various family challenges most would call insurmountable, Agnes refused to give in to the temptation of resignation or surrender; she persevered and always did so with a smile. Her Irish persona and fiery determination contributed to her ongoing fight to to the end.  I didn't always agree with Agnes; I don't know of many daughter-in-laws who are utterly in agreement with their mother-in-laws, but I did love her and I do miss her smiling Irish eyes, her colorful and funny stories and her capacity to always live "in the moment".  Agnes, you were worth your weight in gold...we will miss you.  Love, always...

Blog Rest

To all of you who follow, I truly appreciate your kindness and support.  

I'm taking a few days away from my blog to attend to some family matters.  

Please do continue to follow me as I will be back soon.  

Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers.  

Sheila

Vintage Fairies

 CAPTURING FAIRIES

I adore fairies and what they symbolize - magic, youth, creativity and light.  I am working on some new crystal chandelier pendants with this beautiful vintage fairy artwork.  The collection will be called "Capturing Fairies".  I'm excited about these new designs - I'm using some different shaped crystals that I've been fortunate enough to find during my most recent flea market trips.  Stay tuned for finished creations.  Wishing you all a week filled with lots of magic!

Road Trip!

I'm so excited!  My brother and sister-in-law are relocating from Iowa to Germantown, Wisconsin which is a little over an hour drive for me.  A wonderful opportunity for regular impromptu road trips.  Aside from being elated about having my only sibling nearby, my sister-in-law adores antiques almost as much as I do.  So you can imagine what that means...lots of shopping and some incredible and unique finds.  We visited the lovely and quaint historic town of Cedarburg, Wisconsin and had a wonderful day bouncing in and out of all the wonderful little shops and markets.  Here are a few of my little gems, some of which will almost certainly show up in future jewelry creations!  Wishing you all a great week filled with many surprises.

It's In The Details

I've just been playing with my camera, experimenting with light, background, subjects, etc. and I'm discovering that photography, like jewelry design, is all in the details!  The things that make a jewelry piece special are the smallest, intricate design additions, such as unique beads, etched jump rings or varying materials.  With photography, it's about the angle, the slant of sunlight, how far or close away you position yourself from your subject and I could go on and on.  Much to learn with my new and exciting toy!  Have a beautiful weekend, and enjoy all the small details that come your way!

Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis:   

 a complete change of form, structure, or substance. 

"Nature often holds up a mirror so we can see more clearly the ongoing processes of growth, renewal and transformation in our lives". 

~Mary Ann Brussat

*****

"Whoever undertakes to create soon finds himself engaged in creating himself.  

Self transformation and the transformation of others have constituted the radical interest of our century, whether in painting, psychiatry, or political action".

~Harold Rosenberg

*****

"Change - to the fearful is is threatening because it means that things may get worse.  To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better.  To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better."

~King Whitney Jr.

***** 

Butterflies are magical and symbolize the beauty of 

transformation and change.  

They remind us to take advantage of change when it it presented.  

Change can be intimidating and scary, but the cycles of life are what make us who we are and force us to dig deep into the core of our human spirit and discover what truly inspires and motivates us.  

Sometimes, the changes we experience are not of our own doing, but rest assured that any type of change will mold and meld us into something different, something stronger, an improved version of ourselves.  

I used to fear change; now I welcome it.  

And when I begin to feel a little frightened of the metamorphosis journey, 

I draw inspiration and hope from the beautiful butterfly.

 My mother took these beautiful pictures...

Butterflies always surround her.  

Each time I see one, I think of her.