Shark Bites Hurt!

Finally found a use for these shark teeth that were just laying around! What I really want to do is take a casting of one of the best teeth and start a line of metal shark teeth pendants, but I do not have the set up for that yet.

As usual, I am making the best of what materials I have on hand, and constantly dreaming about buying more and more things that will help me achieve jewelry making nirvana. When I get a new crafting toy, like just recently getting a pasta making machine (for polymer clay), there is an immediate joy upon arrival. But it does not last as the list never ends, and there is always something else needed to achieve a certain effect, etc, etc.

I will keep dreaming about creating a separate crafting area that I hope to build...it's a goal that is out there anyhow. In the meantime, I create my objects de art in a space beyond the kitchen that keeps getting more and more cramped with my new crafting toys. Just as long as these little "helpers" do not take over my life and suddenly develop computer brains like those Cylons in Battlestar Gallactica!

Yoga Mala

I finally made it through the woods of funk and blues of this weekend to get back on track with creativity. I previously had been at my work desk just staring at my materials and had no drive whatsoever to create anything....and that was kind of scary as I rarely feel that way. Usually, I can talk my way out of it or find some inspiration to jump start my heart, and bounce right back. This was different.

It was sort of how J.K. Rowling described the Dementors in her Harry Potter books, that if you are not careful they can suck the soul out of you. But, in a way going through that kind of pain can make you have a clear understanding of who you really are. I'm thinking too, that it might be a case where my emotions are so vulnerable right now, as I don't cover them up with drugs or alcohol (even the prescription kind)so everything is so RAW.

I'm just having to do the hard but necessary groundwork to get back on track again without any chemical "influences". I know it is not fair to say all that and not mention some things that I'm going through...but believe me...it would tax the most determined fair maiden! Just think....bad economy....joblessness.....possible future homelessness....running two business making zero money.....relatives moving away leaving me alone in this town....you get the picture!

With all that being said I am here and doing better and ready to take on the world again with a fresh new perspective. It will be a hard climb, but I will just need to be determined more than ever.

This jewelry pic is my latest project in the theme of Yoga Meditation and I created it as a gift for myself. Sort of a belated birthday present as a couple weekends ago I did not get a chance to celebrate it. The necklace has a lot of personal things such as token fabrics to remind me of someone special, embroidery threads from Scotland my heritage land, honey comb bee nest toggle clasp as I like honey a lot! Kind of lets me know that I am worthy of being loved, either by myself or anyone else that might enter my life. It's the gift of self love...like Whitney Houston sang years ago...The Greatest Love of All.......is happening to me.....learning to love yourself...

Need a Vacation!

Boy, do I ever need a vacation! I am starting to get tunnel vision. I was perusing some blogger sites last night and wistfully looked at some friend's Greek/Italy honeymoon trips. Not that I want to get married anytime soon....I just need to get away on VayCay.

I would love to go back to the U.S. Virgin Islands, where my sister was born (I had a less glamorous birth location somewhere in New Jersey)and just splash around without worrying about staving off the hungry wolves (bills).

There is stress out there even when one is not a single parent, but the stress is intensified when there is a child involved. When you feel failure, for whatever reason, it makes you feel like you failed the child as well. You think?

Beautiful, broken me gets up in the morning and needs to wind up (like that anti-depression pill commercial) and keeps trying to turn the "wind up toy" key but it is hard to find that key sometimes! I guess they put them on toy's backs as it is not attractive to put in the front. In a way, that means we try to hide those moments. We turn that key by trying to treat ourselves to some luxury during the day...like a new outfit..... or drinking that double espresso latte just to perk ourselves up.

Since I cannot afford a vacation right now, I will try to find a place within myself that will remind me of taking a refreshing dip in a tropical ocean. Maybe I will meditate on all my blessings and tell myself that I have all I need to live a bountiful life and I don't really need that VayCay.

Love this song called "I'm Here" from The Color Purple. I love to put on Broadway songs, but this one was particularly inspiring, especially in my gloomy mood I've been in lately. Enjoy!

Bamboo with Knives!

Wanted to create edgy photographs to display my wares. My daughter did not approve, but I continued down my treacherous path and displayed my latest creations on a pair of knives. I guess it shows the yin and yang of life.

Also, I read up on bamboo and the connotations are of coping with adversity and standing firmly without losing ground. But, it also implies a life of simplicity and humility.

When I took martial arts classes I was taught that one can not think clearly in a blur of anger. So, the knives do not mean that I am walking around trying to hurt someone, but represents an inner strength that can be more powerful than a physical blow or cut.

Laughing Buddha

I have been meditating as part of my creative process. I start with a Om Meditation which is just a breathing exercise and on the exhale I make a sound like Oooom. It clears my mind enough to go deeper to meditate on things such as brainstorming for ideas for my jewelry. It is a way to purify the thoughts before delving deeper.

I consider myself not particularly religious, as far as practicing one doctrine goes, but deeply spiritual and like to draw from different religions in order to attain a spiritual awakening. I have read several of the Dali Lama's books, specifically "The Art of Happiness" and "How to Practice a Meaningful Life". Both have taught me that meditation is not the mystical or dangerous practice that I was brought up to believe. Was made to think that dark forces were in play and that self levitation was a goal. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The laughing Buddha is a representation of an actual Chinese monk who lived a thousand years ago who is attributed to contentment and abundance. He is so adorable that I can't help but smile when I'm wearing this bracelet. It helps me meditate on blessings in the here and now, "in the moment" if you will. If you already think you have everything you need, the universe will give you more. Give up any feeling of attachment to things and you will experience a joy unbounded.

More Lotus

My theme running through my craft right now seems to be the lotus flower. Ever since I found out it represents people who had a hard time in life and have overcome it has been my symbolic mantra.

My daughter had a wonderful time sculpting the center flower that I decided to use the design for this bracelet. It is not an exact botanical replica of the flower, save for the pointed petals, so I named it Abstract Lotus.

I feel like the character played by Richard Dreyfus in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" when he felt compelled to create the infamous "mashed potato" mountain over and over and over again. It was stuck in his brain by the aliens urging him to come to that particular spot for a mass visitation. Except I am being urged to create a bunch of lotuses!