1. I finished this beauty on Sunday. I started it last Thursday and forgot all about it (it was deep in the acidic depths of my pickle pot, you see). It’s so lovely. And it’s a fair representation of my creative positioning at the moment — I can feel myself rising up into a wave crest and there’s a generous pouring forth of fresh designs at the moment. It’s nearly too much to bear. I’m sleeping with my sketchbook on the bedside table for those moments in the night when an idea jerks me awake and I need to flip on the lamp so I can sketch it down, jiffily (not a real word).
2. I fell down a mountain yesterday. I do this every spring in Idaho. I go running and suffer a terrible wipe out. I’m icing my knee. Last year I couldn’t hold a hammer or bend my arm for a week after falling while trail running. I’m counting my blessings, despite the hobbling.
3. Vesper & Judith. That’s what I’ve named the girls. I had a moment of clarity, right when I woke up this morning. The springtime sun was shining in the bedroom windows and I knew exactly what to name my chicks.
Vesper = Ameraucana
Judith = Buff Orpington
These names suit them perfectly. Their personalities are beginning to emerge and we’ve noticed that Vesper is quite the sass. She loves to leap around, flap her wings like a wild thing and she’ll peck at anything that moves. Judith is quite calm and sweet in comparison and perhaps even somewhat cuddly.
4. Today I feel especially like a bird. Skinny legs. Beaky face. Pointy everything. Soft and wild feathers. If only I could sing like a meadowlark.
I hope you all had a sensational weekend! Mine was bursting with activity, peacefulness, cold mountain breezes and great food!
Open your wings wide.
The wind will do the rest.
xx
PLUME

Comments

  1. sylvestris says

    THAT piece of work is phantasmagorical.

    Sorry about your wipeout! I know the feeling–always land on my knees when I fall. You're smart not to spare the ice.

    I can imagine Vesper sashaying and Judith being all broody, settling over her nest with little clucks.

    xoxo

  2. beth & cody says

    I've recently discovered you and your blog- and I've found you to be simply lovely.

    That necklace is something to behold! I can't wait until your etsy shop fills up a bit… Any more belt buckles on the way? The Bison and the Jackrabbit buckles made me say "oh!" and yearn for a new buckle… I will be spending the summer in Wyoming- and every cowgirl needs a trusty buckle.

    OH- and your gingerbread cookies made me famous here in SLC. All my friends are begging for the recipe. You were right. The gingersnap is totally where it's at.

    sincerely,
    bee from the SLC

  3. beth & cody says

    I've recently discovered you and your blog- and I've found you to be simply lovely.

    That necklace is something to behold! I can't wait until your etsy shop fills up a bit… Any more belt buckles on the way? The Bison and the Jackrabbit buckles made me say "oh!" and yearn for a new buckle… I will be spending the summer in Wyoming- and every cowgirl needs a trusty buckle.

    OH- and your gingerbread cookies made me famous here in SLC. All my friends are begging for the recipe. You were right. The gingersnap is totally where it's at.

    sincerely,
    bee from the SLC

  4. beth & cody says

    I've recently discovered you and your blog- and I've found you to be simply lovely.

    That necklace is something to behold! I can't wait until your etsy shop fills up a bit… Any more belt buckles on the way? The Bison and the Jackrabbit buckles made me say "oh!" and yearn for a new buckle… I will be spending the summer in Wyoming- and every cowgirl needs a trusty buckle.

    OH- and your gingerbread cookies made me famous here in SLC. All my friends are begging for the recipe. You were right. The gingersnap is totally where it's at.

    sincerely,
    bee from the SLC

  5. MrsLittleJeans says

    Love the creative waves…sorry for the wipe-out but glad you can hobble around cutely…could not have picked better names, Judith sounds like she is going straight to work, …, and vesper, I suppose she will sass around…

    xx

  6. angela walker jewelry says

    What a beautiful necklace! I just love the stone… So pretty! Sorry to hear about your wipeout. 🙁
    Health and happiness,
    Angela
    http://angelawalkerjewelry.blogspot.com/

  7. Dear Jillian,

    Do take care of yourself and feel better.

    Big, big hugs 🙂

  8. Diana Hunt says

    Heal fast so you can fly again.

    Top 3 reasons that necklace has my name on it: 1) I just nabbed one of Sunnyrisingleather's *gorgeous* hawk wing cuffs. 2) Saturday a huge golden eagle swooped from the sky to check me out on a ridgetop, close enough to almost touch. 3) There's a redtail hawk nest on my hillside.

    That necklace came to you from higher powers it is so awesome.

    When will it fly into Etsy?
    xxo

  9. All such beautiful goodness, minus the spill…keep that bird leg up!

  10. Nancy*McKay says

    take these broken wings & learn to fly…
    you were only waiting for this moment to arise…
    Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly…
    Into the light of the dark black night…
    ~the beatles~

  11. Desiree Fawn says

    Today a chicken raising friend & I were talking chicken talk and I told her that Buff Orpington sounds like the name of a speedo model…. cause it does ^_^

  12. thebearaffair says

    Jillian, So sorry about your spill but I know that you will pick yourself up, dust yourself off and run all over again soon;0}

    Gorganamous new creation!!

    XXOO Sal

  13. thebearaffair says

    p.s. to Bee from SLC: The Lovely Plume shop NEVER fills up, it only sells out as soon as posted. Be there for the postings and be quick as a chick;0) Good luck

  14. beth & cody says

    Thanks, BearAffair!
    I'll be sure to keep up on the postings!

  15. beth & cody says

    Thanks, BearAffair!
    I'll be sure to keep up on the postings!

  16. beth & cody says

    Thanks, BearAffair!
    I'll be sure to keep up on the postings!

  17. Kelly Reece says

    that necklace is especially meaningful for me right now. thanks for the lovely view.

  18. Willow Branch says

    I love the names Vesper & Judith. They re so cute t that age & them they get…well, not ugly, but awkward looking, just like we did when they're going through puberty. I grew up with chickens, ducks, geese, beagles & bird dogs. Dutchess looked a lot like Farley, & it didn't take too long for them to understand not to chase the birds. I even had pet rabbits that would play in the yard with the beagles…I don't know how we pulled that one off, but it worked.

    Beautiful necklace (of course). I love how you let nature speak to you & guide you to your next homage.

    Hope your boo boo heals quickly.

    Pam

    ps. I tried your gingersnap recipe & yum!!! I don't have any left, but my have to test out your recipe again, just to make sure it still works. ;P

  19. red-handed says

    Fell off the mountain … but you got up. Lovely, lovely bird.

  20. The Noisy Plume: says

    Oh thank you THANK YOU for these truly sweet and lovely comments.

    I don't think I tell you NEARLY enough, but for the record, I love having you in my life.

  21. The Noisy Plume: says

    PS The bustication of the knee is relatively healed. I can walk and run on it without any issues though it's still a bit tender to the touch (ok, REALLY tender….but I didn't want to seem wimpy).

  22. The Noisy Plume: says

    PS I'll be listing this necklace on Friday!!!

  23. Eve M Metalsmith says

    Jillian,

    This is simply the most stunning piece I've seen from you yet.

    Fly, girl, fly!

  24. The Noisy Plume: says

    Thanks Eve!
    xxxx