sometimes it just takes awhile

I found out that the great appeal working on these little prayer wings hold for me is that I have no idea how they are going to turn out. That's what I also enjoy about making the love notes, just start with the same idea, gather supplies and keep open thoughts and let it flow. As much as I love making leather bags the process is very different because they must turn out a certain way with precise measurements and super strong connections being a priority. I also keep in mind that a person will be using it so I want it to fit them, be easy with their life style and hope that they love it. So there is always concern.

With the love notes, wall hangings and prayer wings there is the hope and idea that they will find the places they belong.

  I am finished making these little wings for now but not over the love for them so there will be more later on. For now, since we are still having some cold days, the beads have returned to the table upstairs where it stays very cozy.

                                                                                  

                                                                                       

                                                                                  

a few more wings & birthday thoughts

 

It seemed like a good morning to finish up with the prayer wings, take their pictures and clear off the work table ... there are so many other things to think about at this time.

Like waking up being a different age, so exciting that I've made it this far but with a side of scary, too. So many new ways of living to navigate and deep changes in our world to try to understand.

I have always felt like the new year starts on my birthday and make my hopes and wishes then as I'm doing today. I made one of these prayer wings to keep for myself, to focus on when I speak my thoughts while starting out the day, sending as much goodness and as many positive vibes that I can muster out my window and into the world. 

Mostly I want to take this chance to say thank you to all of you who stop by here, for most of us it has been a sweet journey of many years ... visiting and supporting each other with much learning and growing along the way. I wish all great and wonderful things in this future of ours and will always keep the faith, will forever share my truth and will remain beyond grateful.

prayer wings

 

It makes no difference what I'm working on, there is a certain way I go about creating. I never start and finish one item at a time. I like to get as many going as I can with the supplies available so first I measure in my own way then cut, then sew, it just seems to be easier to keep the same tools out to get these jobs done, and after a while I get to start the fun stuff with all different kinds of bits and pieces.

These little folded and stuffed beauties have been on my work table and in my hands for a couple of weeks now during these many emotional times, so much sadness and worry and then some happiness and joy and more bad news and suddenly a glimmer of hope that also comes with more feelings of wondering if we will ever get on the right side of it all. 

So I sat, surrounded by pieces of deerskin, beads of glass, wood, clay, bone & metal, feathers from owl, crow, jay, pheasant and magpie and many years worth of accumulated treasures to play with. As usual, I let everything talk to me, let each bead say where it wanted to be and which feathers it fit best with and when was too much or if there were more that wanted to gather and most important ... when to stop!

I also sat with deep thoughts and sometimes a heavy, troubled heart and so much uncertainty but holding all the items, especially the ones gifted by nature, lent a very soothing rhythm to the days and at the end of each time at the work table I always felt so much better. 

I don't know for sure if these are finished yet and there are a few more waiting their turns but today the sun was just right for taking a few photos so I did and I thought they deserved a name and decided on prayer wings because that's what they are full of ... 

my prayers for peace and calm and health and decency and change.

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Still making

Still being quiet, still paying close attention, still hoping and praying. Yesterday started our third week of being home with just a couple of quick trips out for supplies. We feel lucky that we can do that, even though we would really rather not. We also feel lucky and grateful to have each other's company and to have places where we can go for the ever important walks ... we have big, beautiful trees, trails that follow the creek, and lately, very mild, sunny days which help so much.

But I really envy those who have gardens right now. It would feel like heaven to stroll through one or sit and read or plant or pick and breathe deeply of flowers. As always, I miss Spring in the South.

This is just a reaching out to say hello and hope you are well, hope you are enjoying all that you can, hope you are being safe and staying sane and taking good care.

brave, indeed

Somewhere in all this craziness I feel like we are living in many different worlds at the same time. Ours has been one of cold and quiet and worry for many days, of having friends and neighbors losing jobs over night, of being concerned about when we can get to a store and how long they will remain open and what will be on the shelves, even though there are folks trying hard to keep them stocked and truck drivers on the roads with not much help still trying to do a really important job, 

we stress about being able to pick up meds and making sure to get some walks.

 In other worlds it is much, much worse, it is horribly scary and makes me think back to a few weeks ago when the main thing that I thought about every day was us getting new leadership for our country. It didn't happen fast enough.

There are also worlds where kids are playing on beaches and people are out buying new cars, it looks like reality is slower to come but it will come. I'm sad for us all but, like most things, I wonder why this is happening now. I have many thoughts about it and lose sleep thinking about it, at the same time very curious to see how it all shakes out ... whether we can learn lessons, make lasting changes, work together and truly care about it all.

You don't have to agree with my thoughts here but for a long time it has been my space to come and share what's on my mind and in my heart ...you live in your world and it might be one of those different ones at the moment.  I really hope the best for all of us and I pray it gets better very soon.

That's all.

calm after the frenzy

 Maybe it's this time of year, right after the holidays, or being on this side of winter or maybe because of it being my birthday month ( again, yay! ) or it could be so many articles I've been reading, urging you to get rid of all the clutter, to pack it up, clear it out and not leave it all for others to have to deal with ... they all have their own stuff to figure out, they don't need yours, too, and I really believe that. 

And then there are so many who really need some stuff, the churches and shelters know exactly 

what to do with your extra coats and blankets.

That's where my mind and energy have been, organizing and making room. All the little things taking up space, seems like when the time is right it all becomes so much easier. Last month I wasn't even thinking about wrapping up all the pretty dishes, the tiny cups and bowls that come home with me from the church ladies thrift shop but these past couple of weeks there was just no hesitation.

The big obstacle I come up against is knowing when to stop because there are so many of these small objects that remain too important, too special, at least to me. Probably no one else could make any sense of the things I choose to keep but I can already see them being a star or supporting member in so many art pieces.

This clearing is certainly not for everyone but when you live tiny it is a form of survival, for yourself and your partner ... who, by the way, is terrible at doing it! But after so many years of him seeing that this is my way of coping when spaces get too tight and me learning to slowly and gently walk him through it, well, at the end we are both much happier and breathe easier with the feeling of
 lightness that we accomplish.

keeping up

We've had a string of beautiful, mild days and took advantage of all we could ... staying downstairs in the studio and working with clay, firing the kiln and trying new ideas. There were a few times the door could be left open, such a joy and surprise!

Today is much colder so we're upstairs, cooking soup. I took over the one spot of morning sun at the table, reminding myself how to bead, I found out pretty quick what happens if I don't continue to work on pieces.

Larry is writing his story for the newspaper, he's been doing mostly Manitou business stories each week but did finish a couple of sweet pieces in between many other projects.

That's a wrap for now, hope you're enjoying the day.