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.

ciao italia!

Somehow, somewhere, some people, "conspired" to have this happen...

Made these for a few people of whom I will share this adventure...  experience of which I would have everything to gain.
I hoped for this time away to give me much insight and "clarity".  What I learn instead is to sometimes expect the unexpected, great things happen when you least expect, and are sometimes unplanned.  I go with an open mind, and allow this experience to actualize to what it's all meant to be...

breathing in the air

Confronted with a strong visceral, intense hostility, and aversion, the word that comes to mind is "hate".  I'm not proud to be harboring this emotion for anything, not only because it's not the core of who I am, but the intensity of this "dislike" is wasted on something not worthy of even an inkling of time.  I understand the rationale, but reacting only grants it credence.  There are encounters of which I cannot control, I hate that this "chance" was enabled by an individual of which I had "once" been afflicted with the opposite emotion.  Naturally, exposure develops desensitization.  Though I hope to never have this opportunity, my best response would be one of indifference.

Otherwise, my window is finished!

with hand fabricated chain, closure with its final incarnation

my window open

the hand drawn view

that little door knocker, works!

on display @ Hudson Beach Glass, BOS group show

Life is full of lessons.  When I can open my eyes and heart to it, windows open.  I've unlocked a door.  I can feel the fresh air and am "breathing" it in.  I'm not only saying and hoping, but actually believing that I will be okay again, maybe, even better than what I was!

gift(s) to self

It has been echoed my way on more than one occasion that "forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself".  I'd started reading Unconditional Forgiveness by Mary Hayes Grieco, this book echoes these sentiments and then more, concrete steps of which to achieve what I consider to be an "ideal".  Maybe I am not evolved yet to be "unconditional".  But, the willingness to broach the process of forgiveness, I am open to.  I'd learned that it is important for me to let go of the emotional hostility and the pain of the disappointed expectations.  One notion of which I like best is,  "give up the hope for a better past, to give ourselves the gift of a richer present".

Amongst the gifts from friends this week, one tangible gift of which I'd made for myself is this bangle of mixed metals (brass, copper, silver)

"for each twilight, a dawn- R. W. Emerson"

Emotional moments were evident the last couple of days, because of what yesterday and tomorrow means, meant, but it is up to me to decide what it will mean.  I have been wearing the bangle all week.  I recognize the truth and the sheer sanction of these words, a certainty in the literal sense, at the very least.  I am liking this style because it is accommodating for various wrist sizes, yet, it still closes.  Exploring options similar to this style are on the agenda, perhaps "gifts" for other people.

synopsis

I realized it has been more than three, four, five months,  since my last post.  It may not be an extended length of time depending on one's measure of it,  but long enough for me to feel like I've dropped off from this blogisphere forum.  The more time elapses, the more neglectful I feel, the more abandoned and harder it is to post again.  I feel overwhelmed catching up on this chasm in time, but feel inclined to create some chronological order. It has been packed with preparation, production, creating of stuff much to the neglect of everything else, exploring creative options, introspection... As to not disappoint the two people that actually read this, hopefully this condensed account satiates the curiosity to my ordinary life. 

July always seems like "working for the kids", nephew and nieces.  There are knitted toys and jewelry to be made for the birthdays.





Flapjack Frogs by Anna Hrachovec

enameled frog pendant

frogs for a "frog"



Bunny by Susan B. Anderson



the only mod is the crocheted tail





introduction to the new friend

inedible version of her favorite fruit

August now seems like a blur.  September was busy with creating jewelry, mostly for Beacon Open Studios.
The amazingly talented and accomplished Chris, graciously shared her space with me.  All of the beautiful paintings are hers.

one of my youngest fans



making a rare appearance with one of my youngest fans

 


the impressive "polar rug" in the making, just tape and her vision

Snapshots of the space.









glass leaves, and flowers, with enameled pieces



the glass "leaf" is lampwork, before my venture with enamel, which is nothing more than powdered glass







one of my favorite pieces from Jewelry 101, a dozen years ago,  that launched and influential of what i do today



another one of my favorite pieces, interchangeable "rattle"

 
 These are enameled panels that are wall plaques, a departure from my usual jewelry.





"hope is the thing with feathers- Emily Dickinson"
happily in a new home



wooden birdhouse, painted, with copper sheet and enameled feather

enameled frog mounted on wooden painted lily pad



 

"Where blossoms bloom, so does hope"- Lady Bird Johnson



this was the necklace in the group show at Hudson Beach Glass







The latter four silver pieces are now for sale at Riverwinds.

October was Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool, November was just life.... and this "stuff" for sale at The Coffee Shoppe

There is much personal and test knitting, but that deserves it's own post , and crafting of various sorts thrown in.   Still trying to work things through... In the meantime, this is the beautiful butterfly that I purchased from Chris.



Salamis temora



I don't know that my photo of it does the watercolor justice, but it has been finally framed.  I love all her bugs and botanicals, but I think this one "chose" me. 

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies.  ~Author Unknown

Butterflies undergo multiple stages to achieve complete metamorphosis.  My mission is to remain hopeful, "molt" as does the caterpillar, before emerging as the person I'm supposed to be.