Belinda Saville - Handcrafted Jewellery

Quietude...

2011-12-30T02:50:00.000-08:00

As the year end approaches,

I find myself in a quiet place...

a state of rumination,
reflecting and letting go.

Gosh, what a year.

2011 has been the hardest year of my life.

Hands down, the hardest.

Hope and heartbreak has been the recurring theme,

with December bringing more heartbreak than I thought I could possibly bear.

But if there is anything I have learnt this year,

it is that no matter how tattered your soul may feel,

there is always a chance to heal...

if you allow this of yourself.

~*~

This week Anthony and I clocked up six years of wedded bliss...
(and I can say, without an ounce of doubt, that we will still be blissfully married in 60 years time...the health Gods willing!)

Despite the turmoil around us this past year

(and really, just about every year of our marriage)

we are stronger,

Babes and bracelets...

2011-11-29T02:23:00.000-08:00

The thing about babies

is that they are loved long before they take their first breath...

...I know with my own two,

I was head over heels before I had even cradled them in my arms

or delighted in their newborn scent...

...and I'm pretty certain I was smitten with the *thought* of them before they'd even been conceived...

The anticipation of a bub's arrival is almost too much excitement to bear...

...and not just for the expectant parents,

but for expectant extended family too.
including besotted aunties! :-)

This bracelet speaks of a love that extends beyond time and place,

a perfect, permanent reminder to a precious baby girl that she is loved now and always.

Welcome to the world, baby Annabelle

♥

~*~

Bracelets have been popular lately!

Here's a few more I have made recently as custom orders...

A stunning faceted prasiolite takes centre stage,

perfectly pretty in pastel green...

...and six hand fabricated charms of sterling silver leaves and 9 carat gold pebbles adorn the chain...

I also made this variation of my *Nomad* Bracelet...

Completely hand fabricated from sterling silver sheet and wire, with nothing more than my jewelers saw and needle files...

I enjoyed every moment of every detail of this bracelet...

...including stamping the phrase 'go your own way' on the reverse side...
(it's proving to be a popular phrase, and I'm delighted that it resonates with so many souls!)

An exquisite faceted aquamarine nugget completes this special piece...

And speaking of aquamarine...

How I adore it raw!

The stone takes on a whole new beautiful energy when it is left in its natural state...

~*~

Loads more custom orders to come,

and honestly,

it's probably all I will have time to create for the remainder of the year.

I'm not taking on any new custom orders for this year,

and I'm already booked out for January.

I'm just finalising the details of my new system for customs, so I'll write all about it soon.

I'm going to steal back some more time for me and my Muse...

...we are (quite literally) spilling over with ideas and have not time nor energy to bring them to life.

2012 will be all about stepping back and finding balance, I think :-)

This day...

2011-11-09T06:04:00.000-08:00

...is all about him...

...and her...

...and these...

Mangoes!

I know that the warmer weather is here to stay when I find myself feasting on mangoes on a daily basis...

*nom nom nom*

There has also been plenty of outdoors time,

thanks to the warmer weather...

I'm having fun getting to know my new camera :-)

~*~

These little snippets of happy are a nice (albeit brief) distraction from a difficult and emotional few weeks...

a way to stave off the sadness that keeps trying to take hold...

The heaviness of heart over an empty chair,

a reminder of the absence of a certain old soul...

I don't know whether he'll come home ever again...

...I hope he will.

He is missed...

Dia de los Muertos

2011-11-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

The Day of the Dead...

This yearly festival and traditional Mexican holiday is a time for families to gather together to remember those who have passed.

And it was also the theme for the very first challenge for the Etsy Best Kept Secrets team!

You can view all of the diverse creations for the challenge by my fellow team members on our blog post. Amazing work by everyone!

And here's my contribution,

a sugar skull immortilised in sterling silver...

Every component of the skull was sawn, stamped and textured by hand...

A sparkly 3mm faceted ruby rests on the skull's forehead...

It is a bold ring, not for the faint-hearted!

As soon as I'd created the ring,

I immediately knew what I was going to use as a prop for the photos...

...an authentic headhunter's trophy skull from Papua New Guinea!

It's a rather macabre piece...

...you can even see the fatal blow mark on the skull...

We have all kinds of weird and wonderful trinkets in this house! ;-)

Oh, and before I forget, the ring is available here!

~*~

Do you celebrate Dia de los Muertos?

What have you been creating this week?

The simple things in life...

2011-10-31T06:18:00.000-07:00

are always the best, are they not?

My children give me sweet, simple moments daily to tuck away into my memory banks and cherish forever...

(they *love* washing the dishes together...and I love that they love it!)

The simple pleasure of a day spent enjoying the sun,

relishing the feeling of sand between my toes...

(with lovely new coral polish, to boot!)

...watching Anthony kayaking with Jett...

...snatching a daydream or two in a peaceful moment...

...teaching India how to reel in a fish,

and smile for the camera...

...which is *very* serious business...

And simple jewels made with heart and thought...

my blog giveaway jewels!

Custom made for four very special ladies in different corners of the globe...

For Noemi,

garnets and ruby...

For Sharon,

prehnite...

For Heather,

amethyst...

For Jenny,

apatite...

Simple and sentimental,

with a wish for four women that their dreams may come true...

~*~

What simple pleasures are you relishing this week...?

Just because...

2011-10-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

...he loves me,

he bought me a fan-dangly new camera...

A Canon EOS 550D, no less!

Oh husband, how I love thee ♥

Anthony is notorious for the best 'just because I love you' gifts,

but he outdid even himself with this one.

Now I understand why all the cool people have a Canon...

(including her, and her, and her)

They are unbelievably good!

So, I've been having fun re-shooting some pieces that have been sitting around in my shop...

The *Drop of Desert Sky* Necklace

{ SOLD - thank you!}

The *Petite Desert Flower* Ring in Tangerine

Available here

The *Moroccan Trinkets* Necklace

Available here

The Canon has also been great for shooting some new custom orders,

including this lovely Twilight Topaz and filigree ring...

...this all black version of my *Safi* Earrings...

...and my *Mosaique* Necklace, newly embellished with pebbles of 9 carat gold at the request of a lovely lady...

~*~

The camera was also a blessing for October 7...

our daughter's birthday...

Four!

I cannot believe our baby girl is four!

I will never forget the first moment I saw her,

I gasped because she was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.

And she grows more beautiful with every passing year...

The hula hoop was a big hit...

she danced and twirled for hours...

...only stopping to ride her new scooter...

It's a Tinkerbell scooter,

naturally.

:-)

And when the new toys had been thoroughly broken in,

my budding chef helped me to decorate her own birthday cupcakes,

complete with sprinkles and princess decorations...

What more could a little princess ask for!

♥

~*~

I'm looking forward to sharing the culmination of my giveaway prizes with you soon as well...

they are coming together beautifully...

Stay tuned!

~*~

Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend, my friends!

Don't forget to smile :-)

And the winners are...

2011-09-30T23:46:00.000-07:00

Winners?

You didn't really think there was only going to be one winner, did you?!

I just love surprises...! ;-)

Do you want to see what 280 dreams look like...

I can't tell you how touched I am...

I have been riding a wave of heart and hope these past few weeks,

cherishing every one of your beautiful dreams as they have been sent my way...

I wish for all of your dreams to come true, my friends...

promise me you won't ever stop chasing them, ok?

:-)

So...I enlisted the help of my trusty giveaway helper to aid me in the enormously joyous task of choosing the winners from these 280 dreams...

First, there is the winner of a custom made *Gemstone Trio* Ring, chosen from these lovely gems...

India was very excited to help...

...she could hardly wait to get her hand into the bowl...

...to choose the lucky winner...

CONGRATULATIONS NOEMI!!!

I cannot wait to bring your dreams to life in silver and stone! :-)

~*~

And then,

I had an epiphany...

...why not drawn three more dreams from the bowl,

each one rewarded with a ring featuring a single stone in one of their favourite colours...

A simple little something like this...

a perfect reminder of your dreams to wear every day.

So, I sent India back into the bowl...

and she chose three special ladies for a special little surprise...

Congratulations Heather!

Congratulations Sharon of Livewire Jewelry!

Congratulations Jenny of Silverlines Jewelry!

I will be contacting all of you lucky ladies shortly regarding your rings :-D

~*~

Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter...

thank you for sharing your dreams with me...

and thank you SO much for your support of me and MY dreams!

Let's do this all again soon, ok?! ;-)

With much love,

A giveaway...to give thanks

2011-09-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

I've talked about dreams before,

and you were with me a year ago when I started on this new creative path...

...so you know just how much it means to me to be here,

travelling THIS journey.

My dreams come true in metal and stone every day,

and I have you to thank for that...

I love that you love my work,

encouraging me with your kind words and gentle hearts...

adopting pieces that I have lovingly crafted with my own two hands and making them your own...

Your support means the world to me...

really and truly!

So I want to show you my appreciation with something special,

made just for you...

One lady with luck on her side will receive a custom made gemstone trio ring in a size that is just right for her.

It could look something like this...

...or this...

...or this...

And these are the gems you can choose from...

I went through my faceted gemstone stash and picked a little of every colour,
something to suit every taste...

There are garnets of red and orange, agate, red jasper, yellow sapphire, scapolite, fire opals, serpentine, prehnite, green apatite, maw sit sit (yes, really...), malachite, chrysoprase, chrysocolla, turquoise, spinel, tourmaline, smoky quartz, pyrite, black spinel, white opal, white topaz...and more!

So, the choice will be yours...

:-)

Perhaps you'd like a fiery trio...

{garnet, fire opal, hessonite garnet}

or an earthy trio...

{turquoise, andesine labradorite, red jasper}

or a pretty trio...

{chrysoprase, pink tourmaline, green apatite}

or a trio that is barely there...

{prehnite, white topaz, scapolite}

or a trio that will get you noticed...

{garnet, green apatite, yellow sapphire}

or a trio that will never date...

{black spinel, pyrite, white opal}

Once you have chosen your gems, I will loving fabricate them into a sterling silver one-of-a-kind Gemstone Trio Ring in your size,

and you get to choose the finish...

polished, matte, brushed, oxidized.

If you don't like/wear rings, I will make you a necklace in the same style...
(I'm nice like that...)

Sound fun?

As always, I want to give you a few ways to enter...

the more, the better!

Here goes:

1. Tell me about a dream that you hold dear in your heart. It can be big, it can be small...the size isn't relevant, I just want to hear about it!
{1 entry}

2. Tell me your three favourite colours
{1 entry}

3. Follow my blog...easy!
{1 entry}

4. 'Like' my Facebook page
{1 entry}

If you could leave a separate comment for each entry, that would make my life a tiny bit easier...thank you!

I'll accept entries up until 9.00pm AEST on Friday September 30, and then I will enlist the aid of my trusty giveaway helper to draw a name out of the hat :-)

I will announce the lucky winner on Saturday October 1!

And of course, the giveaway is open to anyone and everyone,

in every corner of the globe!

Best of luck,

and happy dreaming!!!

Truth & Beauty

2011-09-15T03:48:00.000-07:00

'Beauty is not in the face.

Beauty is a light in the heart.

~Kahlil Gibran~

Beauty that is true and everlasting

is not to be found in features nor facades.

It sprouts from somewhere deeper,

a pocket untouchable by time

and unfathomable in its depth.

It is uplifting and contagious…

it calls out to you across the room,

charging its way into your presence like a steam train.

Real beauty is not all about a porcelain complexion,

nor a 27 inch waist…

…features will fade and ripen with time,

leaving only truth,

the essence of character.

There is beauty in the lines upon your body,

they tell your story of a life loved and lived…

…and those grey hairs that start appearing,

one day,

some day,

they are a totem of knowledge and of knowing,

only possible with the passing of years.

There is beauty in compassion

and laughter

and light…

There is beauty in imperfection,

and shadows,

and truth.

And there is beauty in you…

you may not see it in yourself,

but ask anyone who loves you,

anyone who believes in you…

you

are

beautiful...

The *Truth & Beauty* Necklace ~ available here

Time for play...

2011-09-13T00:48:00.000-07:00

Spring is in full swing here in Sydney,

so trips to the playground are a daily event.

Our favourite playground has a view...

I mean, LOOK at that VIEW...!

Spider Girl loves climbing...

(note Jett sitting quietly on the slide...bless his cotton socks!)

...when she's not busy keeping a look out...

...or counting...

Jett likes the slide best...

...bottle in one hand, and he didn't spill a drop!

And, of course, there are the swings...

...which is MY favourite!

;-)

I hope there's been a big dose of fun in your day too!

Moving on...

2011-09-11T00:04:00.000-07:00

These are all the pieces that remain of my *Moroccan Odyssey* Collection...

...they look so pretty together,

a colourful collective...

...the result of many, many hours of love and inspiration and creation...

But I feel it is time to move on...

Each piece has been reduced by 15% for one month only,

(until 11 October 2011)

and any piece remaining at that time will be taken out of my shop and placed in a new venue.

I want these lovely pieces to find lovely homes!

As much as I love looking at them every day,

turning them over in my hand and feeling proud of my work,

I would feel happy to my very soul knowing that they are being worn and loved!

I hope you find something that has to be yours :-)

~*~

In other news, I realised that a few milestones have befallen me...

~ one amazing year of silversmithing ~
(though really, it feels like I've always been doing this...)

~ 50 sales in my Etsy shop ~
(each one special and momentous)

~ 50,000 hits on my blog and counting ~
(amazing!)

Any one of those milestones is a reason to celebrate,

but the fact that they have all happened at once has left me feeling,

grateful

overwhelmed

humble

ecstatic!

So, to celebrate, I'll be having a little giveaway.

Just to say thanks.

Details to come very soon.

I'm excited,

are you?!

:-)

Light and Shadow

2011-09-10T05:20:00.000-07:00

There is nothing quite like the sunshine that comes with Spring...

...it is the kind of light that makes everything seem right in the world...

The afternoon light is my favourite...

rich and soul-filling,

and gilding everything in a sheath of gold...

But I also delight in the shadows,

pockets deep and hidden that the light cannot catch...

...somehow, the darkness makes the colours seem brighter...

...more vibrant and alive...

And so, with light and shadows on my mind,

I created my *Starry Night* Earrings...

...like petals plucked from a starry night sky...

...made of silver oxidized to a shade of darkest slate...

...and gleaming moonstone cabochons filled with light.

Made for girl who loves to cast her dreams to the night sky :-)

Available here.

Busy as a bee...

2011-09-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

My poor, neglected blog,

so quiet of late...

...and yet life has been a hive of activity!

There have been days to refresh and unwind,

glorious time spent camping by a river...

And apparently, tantrums don't stop even when you go camping...

"Jett, don't play with that tent pole!"

"You'll let me play with that tent pole or I'll plant my face in the dirt!"

Boys, eh...

At least India is a little more civilised...

...we talked and learned...

...I love that she knows what animal tracks look like in the dirt...

...that we collect small sticks for kindling to build our campfire...

...and what a million sparkling stars look like in the night sky, away from the lights of the city...

And there have been many, many custom orders,

each one as special and unique as the ladies who will be wearing them.

There was a trio of gems,

right at home in silver and gold...

ruby, emerald, apatite...

...a seashell and apatite delight...

...and matching seashell studs...

A turquoise *Nomad* Ring...

...with an arrow affirming the way forward...

And there has also been fathers day...

...though I don't really need a reason to celebrate the love of my life and the father of our little ones...

...he deserves spoiling EVERY day :-)

~*~

I hope that everything is well and good in your corner of the world!

...have you been busy?

...are you happy with the changing of seasons?

(I am overjoyed that Spring is here!)

Tell me about your week...

:-)

Story telling...

2011-08-23T06:20:00.000-07:00

I love telling a story with metal and stone...

...but I also love telling your story,

weaving your words into a tangible thread,

piece by piece,

moment by moment.

It always begins with an idea or two...

(or three...)

(initial design sketches)

...and ends with a meaningful, wearable tale...

This set tells a story of old Serbia,

of churches rich with decoration and history,

ornate facades and masterful craftsmanship...

But it also tells a story of a daughter's love for her mother,

a bond all at once enduring and eternal...

A gift,

a token...

...a tribute to a woman admired and adored...

To know that these pieces will be worn and loved by a wonderful woman

as she makes memories and enjoys moments,

and who will,

in turn,

add her own words to this story,

makes me very, very happy...

:-)

~*~

What is making you happy this week, my friends?

Nomad

2011-08-14T21:26:00.000-07:00

(no.mad)
n.
~ a person who continually moves from place to place; a wanderer

The nomad is about finding a path that is all her own...
She is a creature of distant places
and intrepid strides...

Self-assured in her skin
she is unafraid to find her own way,
knowing that the open road is long
and heavy with opportunity for the brave.

She strides forth through life
fearless and free...
When others falter and stop to ask directions,
she forges onwards,
takes the lead,
embraces the unknown…

She doesn't look back,
the steps taken are not retraced..
moving forward is the only way she knows.

Some days she leads the pack,
sometimes she strays…
but she always goes her own way...

The *Nomad* Ring

available here

Backwards thinking...

2011-08-11T01:22:00.000-07:00

I'm a backwards thinker.

I'm the sort of person who flips to the back of the magazine first,

and reads to the front.

I chop vegetables with a backwards motion.

And sometimes I even approach my jewellery designing with backwards thinking...

I start with something time-consuming and complicated...

The Ocean's Keep Ring

...and work backwards, simplifying the design...

The Beachcomber Stacking Rings Trio

...and simplifying until it cannot be simplified any more...

Are you a backwards thinker too?

Or do you start at the beginning and work forwards?

~*~

I've been sick for the past week

and without a voice for three days.

Not.

Happy.

Being sick means I have to slow down,

and I'm not very good at slowing down.

The only good thing about being sick is that I've been able to watch TV
(which I rarely do...there are always far more interesting things to be doing)

and host my own Project Runway Australia episode-watching marathon.

I've only been recording episodes since the start of July.
(I told you I don't watch much TV!)

Not being capable of sitting still for long,

I managed to whip up these earrings when I was supposed to be resting...
(shhh, don't tell hubby!)

I love the edginess of the dark patina...

Isn't hessonite garnet just the *most* perfect shade of orange...

{ SOLD - Thank you! }

~*~

Be well, my friends!

The living is easy...

2011-08-03T23:48:00.000-07:00

Gosh, I love camping.

After three days of camping on the South Coast of New South Wales this past weekend, I feel SO good...

SO relaxed,

SO rejuvenated,

SO inspired.

I may be a girly-girl on the outside,

but I sure have the heart of a tom boy :-)

Camping is SO me!

The drive south was exquisite...

...and we were blessed with a lovely campsite...

...the perfect spot to enjoy a little family time...

I can still smell the smoke of our campfire...

I spent time watching the flames flicking over the wood, embers flying up into the night sky...

There were plenty of walks...

...and space for running free...

Winter's finest blossom was in full bloom - wattle trees were everywhere...

The afternoon light filled my soul to brimming...

...and the morning dew was divine...

I delighted in slowing down, appreciating the finer details...

All too soon it was time to pack our things and head back, though the journey home was just as beautiful...

I foresee more camping on the horizon soon! :-)

~*~

How was your weekend, my friends?

I hope all is well and wonderful in your corner of the world!

-xo-

Ridiculously excited...

2011-07-27T22:58:00.000-07:00

...about this ring...
(I am enamoured with this combination of colours!)

...and about this...

...being published here...

(page 163, if you're curious...)

...and about going camping this weekend.

Fresh air,

campfires,

bush walks,

Mother Nature in abundance...

does it get any better?

:-)

~*~

What are you excited about this week?

I hope your weekend is looking fine and fun!

The Ocean's Keep

2011-07-25T04:31:00.000-07:00

Cast your soul to the ocean…

Let her waves wash over you,
and caress the worries from your brow.
She has a salty salve to heal your heart,
and gentle arms of froth and light
to cleanse,
to clarify,
to purify...

Let her tides take the sorrows from your spirit…
surrender to her ebb as she gathers up your woes,
embrace her flow as she bears you peace and plenty.

Let her winds fill your sails to brimming...
submit as she carries you forth,
takes you away,
pushes you ever forward on this journey of life.

And when your spirit is round and refreshed,
walk upon her sandy shore,
grounded,
yet lifted...
feel your soul nourished and full.
Leave your troubles with the ocean's keep,
and carry her riches in your heart.

The Ocean's Keep Ring
Sterling silver, 9 carat gold, chrysocolla

If she needs to belong to you, you can find her here
:-)

P.S. Words cannot express how much I am grateful for all of your gracious comments on my last post. I feel blessed that I can take you along on this journey as I chase my dreams!

-xo-

Dream On...

2011-07-17T04:27:00.000-07:00

My Grandpa (88 years and counting) has shared this journey with me from the beginning...

He watches me walk past his room every night as I carry my freshly soldered creations from my studio to the kitchen for pickling...

He lies in his bed listening to me hammering and sawing and sanding...

He asks questions, shows a quiet interest in my processes...

And the other day, he reminded me just how long I have been dreaming this dream...

He recalled taking me along to the local technical college as a wide-eyed 16 year old, hoping to sign up for a jewellery course...

He recalled the woman behind the desk wanting to sign me up for a very expensive five year course...

He recalled that I signed up for the very cheap four week course instead.

He recalled taking me along to the local hardware store, and helping me buy the tools for my short course...

needle files, wet & dry paper, saw blades, drill bits...
(would you believe I use those same needle files today...!)

Then Grandpa said to me,

'There's a lot of years between then and now. Since then you've worked, gotten married, had two children...and now you're doing it, what you wanted to do all those years ago.

So, were you thinking about doing this all that time?'

Well, yes Grandpa, I was...

14 years of dreaming and hoping and wanting...

wishing and craving and imagining...

Do dreams come true?

Why, yes...

yes,

I believe indeed they do :-)

The Pace of Nature

2011-07-13T05:03:00.000-07:00

Adopt the pace of Nature

Her secret is patience

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

~*~

Mother Nature knows that good things take time.
Her every action is thoughtful
and productive…
a perfectly orchestrated symphony of creation.

She weaves every thread to a glorious whole
with a magic that is only possible
with time and temperance.

She works with Time's hand,
not against it,
at a pace that is patient and deliberate,
wasting not action nor moment.

Her masterpieces are crafted
with a tender hold,
coaxed piece by piece,
thread by thread,
moment by moment.

There is no urgency,
no limit on time.
Growth takes as long as it takes,
life cannot be rushed...

Slow down,
live,
breathe,
and entice life at a gentle pace,
with a peaceful soul
and a patient heart....

~*~

{ SOLD - thank you! x }

Celebrating Two...

2011-07-12T06:44:00.000-07:00

We've come a long way, you and I...

I have watched two years of moments
transform you,
shape you...

watched you grow,
and learn,
and thrive...

I have watched you find your feet to walk,

then run,

as they carry you into a new world which is opening up before you every single day...

I have laughed to tears along with you...

your laugh is hands down the best in the world,

the whole world.

Hands down...

I have felt my heart melt and my soul sing...

...whenever you bless me with a kiss...

You are all things to me...

my headache,

my heartbeat...

And you will always be my baby...

Happy 2nd birthday, darling boy.

Forever and always,

Mum

-xxx-

I love...

2011-07-07T06:37:00.000-07:00

...afternoons spent this way...

...decorating my studio...

...watermelon tourmaline...!

{and in particular, rose cut watermelon tourmaline... *swoon*}

{SOLD - thank you! x}

Tell me about your week...

what is making you smile?

Breathe

2011-07-04T05:06:00.000-07:00

Some days,
it is enough
just to breathe…

Those days
when your soul feels frayed,
heavy and hard
from life's afflictions….

Those days
when your eyes are open,
but you see only burden and bustle
wrapped tightly around every thought…

Those days,
when your heart-strings
remember the music
to your soul's song,
but the words are merely memory…

On those days,
when you are heavy of heart
and slight of spirit,

it is enough
to just be,
to just breathe…

A gentle reminder in sterling silver and aquamarine, that some days it is enough just to breathe...

{SOLD - thank you!}

A new chapter

2011-07-01T23:38:00.000-07:00

This book of life certainly makes for an interesting read...

sometimes it is a mystery,

sometimes a romance ;-)

but always an adventure.

I think, if you can view life as a book,

know that the hard times are merely another chapter,

and that they WILL come to an end,

you can deal with whatever life throws at you.

It's just another chapter...

After a month-long absence, I am SO happy to be back with you.

I have missed you.

Thank you for every beautiful word you sent my way...

...you were a shining light during some very dark days,

and for that, I am forever grateful.

-xxx-

~*~

So, where I am now?

I am 1,000 kilometres away,

beginning a new chapter :-)

Caring for two men who are near and dear while they battle a relentless beast
(cancer...chemotherapy...'nuff said)

The beat of life is finding a new rhythm,

and I have begun to create once more.

It is a joy, a therapy and a release all rolled into one joyous bundle.

My new space is abundant with light...

I love that Mother Nature is just outside my window...

When life is turned on its head, you tend to slow down,

take notice of the little details around you...

...and take great pleasure in the simple things...

My apprentice approves of the new space...

And hopefully one day soon he will tire of hiding my tools out the window :-)

~*~

My Etsy shop is now re-open for business.

I have decided to give my Muse free reign for now,

to create whatever her heart desires

rather than focusing on a new collection.

It's only fair,

I've kept her under lock and key for a whole month :-)

~*~

Thank you for still being here,

you are SO wonderful!

With love,

P.S. What do you think of my new blog design?

I decided to go all minimalist...

simple is good :-)

Life is precious...

2011-05-26T03:20:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,

I will be absent for a time,

I am needed elsewhere for now...

A beloved family member needs me by his side, to help him fight his battle. A battle that I hope, with all my heart, that he will win...

When life has settled into a familiar rhythm once more, I will be back here again...

I promise :-)

Thank you for your support, your understanding...for being here.

With love,

-xo-