Inspired This Week

Even though I lost several days of my vacation to being terribly ill, these last few days have been so lovely. The weather's been warm and much of the snow has melted, which brings joy in and of itself. And how very fitting for St. Patrick's Day, everything green returning after the winter. There have been robins and phoebes flitting around the yard, squirrels dancing about under trees. We had a surreal moment when several flocks of geese passed overhead at once, just behind a thin veil of clouds so that they appeared ghost-like to us. Lovely, lovely.

I wanted to go out after being in bed for so many days. So I dragged my sister and fiancé into the city to the historical society museum, a gorgeous Victorian mansion full of magnificent things! Let me show you some of them.

Below is one of my favorite things from the museum. They had this tiny table covered with crayons and with a pile of coloring pages of the United States presidents. This was hanging up on the wall above it:

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (artist unknown)

Too fun!

After the museum, we headed down the street to see where its former Victorian owner made his fortune. Apparently he was the owner and founder of one of the first shopping malls in this country. It has been beautifully renovated since I was a kid (I was happy to see), and currently looks a little like a European outdoor market:

To the left is a charming little antique store that we went into. I got an antique key from the 1900s (1906, I think) and one of those lovely Pollyanna prisms (read: chandelier crystal). At the end of the hallway pictured and also to the left is a metaphysics shop. I picked up several stones there that I hope to wire wrap when I get some more of my favorite wire. Can't wait!

Here's hoping for a relatively healthy spring for everyone! <3

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Embroiled Psyche

The moon was a giant, sunset-colored coin hovering over the horizon tonight. I was driving toward it and it was like finally moving toward home. When it rose, full and white, it made the clouds stand out as though they were sewn to the sky with silver thread. We went by an old cemetery that is said to house a ghostly woman with a pale gown; she did not show herself to us, but moonlight glinting off crooked stones was worth the drive. We were very tired, we were very merry; we had stopped at a cafe on the way for coffee. The wind howled all around us, bringing down tree branches and casting about debris in an eerie way. Then, it was back home again for wine and a game of Scrabble.

It's hard to know how to feel these days. Out in the world there is much anger, much unrest. The days this week have been marked by protest, both at home and abroad; there is the unfolding plight of working-class families in Wisconsin over union-labor rights, the movements of the House to curb government spending. The world is changing around us. This is an historic time; important things, important things.

My work has become much darker as of late, probably because of these uncertainties, the longing for simpler times, and the yearning for a return to the earth.

 

Even though I try hard not to, I inevitably bring these things to the beading table with me. They are always in the background, influencing my creativity. Music helps sometimes, but not completely. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; it's just a thing. It's soothing to work, to be doing something, because sometimes the world can make you feel so helpless.

What do you think? What have you done to "cope"?

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Stringing Magazine and a new look

We changed our look again; please bear with us as we figure out how to use this site and all of its many features!

 
Stringing Magazine's Fall 2010 issue has hit the shelves already. I just snagged my copy today and had a chance to look over it this evening. They've changed their look, too. (Good to know we are not the only ones who get the itch!) The pictures are lovely as always and there are a lot of great projects, including an entire two-page spread devoted to owl-themed necklaces!! We were floating on cloud 9. :D There was a nice article about how to throw a jewelry party for friends, and a very insightful article on how to sell well on etsy by the fabulous Lorelei Eurto.



The Erie Canal trip I mentioned went beautifully. So beautifully, in fact, and so relaxing, we almost fell asleep on the boat. The water was this unexpected lovely color (some might not have thought it pretty...) and I particularly enjoyed seeing all the ducks and geese and wild plants, as well as hearing some fascinating stories, a few of which may inspire one or two jewelry pieces in the near future. :D Then we stopped at a roadside produce stand and picked up some of the most gorgeous homegrown plums and peaches (you should have seen the colors! If they taste half as good as they look, we will be happy campers for sure), then to a local winery for a giggly tasting and to pick up some bottles to share with the family. Then last, we had dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant. I've got to go back through my beads and see if I can match any of the colors to memories of today, and maybe have a little happy jewelry-making session at the camp tomorrow. Anyway, all in all, many great distractions today.

Speaking of distractions, I've really been enjoying A Bead a Day's posts on distracting beads over the past few days! The finds are just delightful; makes me want to go through my beading supplies with a camera. ;)


That's all for now, folks. Bead well!

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