new buzz; a love's sting

Bees are the new buzz. They play a key role in the balance of the ecosystem. Colony Collapse Disorder is a phenomenon in recent years that have raised awareness in their decimation.  They may be symbolic of many things, but for me, it is their diligence and hard work. On a more personal and relatable level, they serve as metaphor to  pollinate own heart to allow growth and fulfill dreams. As they are ceaseless in productivity, I believe when the same principles are applied to personal life, employing hard work to feed ourselves in turn feeds our dreams. Applying these ethics to a recent juncture in a decision in my professional life is paramount, though at the inception of this concept, this decision was yet to be realized. I love bees as symbolism and design element. The collection will only grow as I grow.
It all started with this piece:

The necklace that started it all

bird's eye view

displayed in its frame with another piece for a show

the bee by itself 

hand etched brass cuff with bee

another view of same cuff

honeycomb cuff

honeycomb earrings

honeycomb bangle

honeycomb necklace

reflections

I started this blog a couple of years ago as a means of healing through creative production. I have been very quiet in recent months because I have wavered in my decision to keep this going, for this to represent, and the identity of which I want to continue to associate for I am a changed and different person today. I am a sap for alliteration, and I like "crafting" both literally and figuratively. So instead of worrying about what it needs to be, just allow it to evolve into whatever it is supposed to be.

BOS 2014 is behind me now. I always approach it with such trepidation and stress, but as always, when it is over, I am grateful for the overwhelming response and support. I have made lifelong connections through this venue, and have received feedback affirming my work appeals to a wider cross-section beyond my immediate connections, which is good for promoting confidence. Both this impetus, and a very recent series of decisions I made about my "day job" has set in motion a momentum that will calibrate more changes. The unknown is scary. There are no plans of what or how anything is going to happen, just the sensation that something has to. Sometimes doing something that scares us the most, is the only way to grow. Life is about refinement, so changes are necessary for growing into and distilling into who and what we are. The leaps and bounds in my personal life was not anything I anticipated, but those changes and growth were possible because I took that chance. So, "change" can be good! I have an incredible person by my side, accepting and loving me as I am, incredibly patient, and quietly resolute in support. I am blessed to have my family and an incredible network of friends to lean on. Curveballs are going to be inevitable, but I am embracing the challenge!

first impressions

"It is a truth" I'd personally acknowledged that Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is one of my favorite books.  This year marked it's 200th anniversary.  Though there were many classics part of the English lit curriculum back in the days, this one was not one of them.  A genuine belief in everything in it's due time, this very belated post to my chagrin, I discovered and fell in love with this book as an adult.  So quite naturally, I knew that I wanted to pay homage to Austen for the group show piece for BOS 2013 (back in April).  The brainstorm translated to gathering the materials, some sketching, making of certain components, and a visualization of how the complete piece will be executed.

the general visualization

the "page"

model of the "book" component (closed)

book open

components done

close up to inkwell and quill clasp

displayed on shadow box

The link components of the chain is the following quote:
"A person may be proud without being vain.  Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us." -Jane Austen

The original working title of the book was First Impressions.  I am not above the fallacious character of certain individuals, my first impressions have been proven wrong. I have allowed my pride, in more than one occasion, holding on to an impossible ideal only to implicate myself in an unhealthy emotional turmoil.  It is only through an acceptance, and the healing of a bruised ego, did I find the balance to be humbled by vanity.

blessed

February has been a month associated with some of the best and worst moments and memories, but not this year.  I believe in the sanctity of this daily reminder, my calendar at work:

BELIEVE everything happens for a reason

Early in the month was filled with festivities of the Lunar New Year.

towers of fruits of plenty, and Tray of Togetherness

lucky money

the offerings

lions

Chinatown

Aside from the shower of gifts later in the month, most importantly I am reminded of the love and the wonderful people surrounding me.  There was a running theme.

even the cards more or less agreed

Only a fraction of the loot, too numerous to chronicle.

this doesn't fit floral theme, but very "sweet" of a special 9 year old

A steady stream of calla lilies from a friend awaited at my door for almost two weeks.  On the fourth try, the order was finally fulfilled correctly.

calla haven, 35 total stems

abundance of white callas

March is the month that says:

This was a gift from my sister from her last trip to Hong Kong, it has since been hanging on my wall.

It is a scroll of the Chinese character for "blessed" in various calligraphic styles.  Though I may not be religious, she is a Christian and the columns to the right are bible verses.  I can't read it, but appreciate it as a piece of art.

All of this to convey, how truly BLESSED I am.

"blessed" in relief and recessed

Despite the gentle reminder of our vulnerabilities,  to have "health" is bliss and blessed.

newish year, new chapter

A new year is upon us again, only 11 months left.  For the last couple of years, the dawn of this time of year couldn't come quicker because the new year is symbolic of a new start.  Time is absolutely telling and healing.  I knew this, but never more affirming than living through it.  Whether I am prepared or not, it always seems to fly by.  This time, this year, FINALLY, I am grateful that I no longer have to confront the same intense toxic emotions.  Of course,  it is too bad for incidental encounters as local establishments are to have such unfortunate staff.  But, that is beyond my control.

One of the most rewarding experiences this summer was the three weeks spent in one of my most favorite and beautiful countries, Italy.  More than 7000 images was not enough to capture the enormity and the most magical of places.  The sheer volume of pictures are overwhelming, even now the task of choosing a few representative photos are too daunting.  I have modest mini paintings in pastel, my first attempt ever at painting anything.  The first week of the trip was spent in a villa in Umbria, workshop with Linda Richichi, an amazing pastel artist, and photography with Mary Ann Glass.

dusk at the Villa

The pastel paintings were meant to be five minute quick sketches as they were done plein air, value studies for bigger paintings later if one should feel so inclined.  Except, I can't work fast and large scale is intimidating.  In my case, these were "multiple hour mini paintings".  All are 2.5" x 3.5", except the two bigger next to mini is 4" x 6".

view from Villa, this mini study is my favorite

top right was my first one at the Villa.  The other two are at a sunflower field close by
 (the gray blobs are supposed to be olive trees)

this photo is a better visual 

this was where we were situated for painting session

another view from Villa

more from the Villa, the bottom was the sky, mostly fudged,
but i'm sure at some point at dusk that evening, it was close

these are the photos to prove it

this one was just as the sun was setting

this was my only quick sketch of the Villa on the day of arrival

these two are at Borghese Gardens in Rome

these are in Menaggio on Lake Como

this was the inspirational view

one more

another

There are infinite images, some more of which may make it's way over for.  For now, this glimpse is enough.

these I purchased from the master, Linda Richichi
one can see why I hardly qualify as "student"

I approached this trip with an open mind and I wanted the opportunity to have real time away from my environment.  As for personal insight, I don't know that there will ever be "absolute clarity", as there is rarely anything so definitive, but I returned with the notion and the ability to feel that I can start a new chapter in my life.

There were a lot of knitting UFOs' for the holidays.  As always, I reprimand myself for not starting my crafty projects earlier.  But I managed to squeeze in a couple of enameled ornaments.  So, next year this year when I vow to start earlier, more may be made.

mitten

stocking, there were a whole lot personalized

"family tree" for my sisters

The tradition of making and decorating Christmas cookies prevails.  Of course, this year there was an enthusiastic recruit.

niece so proud of her decorated by self snowman

Gratitude, that is prominent on my mind.  I am grateful for the persistent family and friends, for the new friends,  stronger bonds, new experiences,  and for the personal growth.  Life is a collection of changes, and they are not always bad.  As long as I can validate with my own standards that this "change" has meaning to my sense of reality, then I can't go wrong.