Thank goodness!
I finally had an uninterrupted day out in the studio!
Actually, I must be frank, my work day was rough — it was downright crummy to begin with. Due to our wonderful weeks of house guests here, it’s been some time since I’ve had a solid mitful of consecutive days to sit down and pour myself into my work for hours on end. It is my opinion that creative work is habitual. This said, for every day I spend away from creative work, it takes me about three days to get back into the swing of things. For this reason, I like to do something creative, no matter how great or small, every single day.
When I sat down in the studio this morning I was filled with a smorgasbord of horrendous emotions. They ran the gamut from annoyance to miniature-rage to self pity.
I tried to work. I tried to delve right in to metal and stone but my medium wasn’t having any of it. Finally, I stormed inside, whipped up a pot of Seasons of Discontent, carried my tea out into the studio, poured a cup, and wrote pages and pages in my journal.
I wrote about everything.
I wrote about nothing.
I wrote to give my insecurities and my victories voices — to identify them and move past them.
I wrote to clear my head, to make room for thinking.
And it worked.
The rest of my studio time looked like this:
This ring is for a dear, dear friend of mine. It’s actually her wedding ring….or perhaps it might be more apt to call it her wedding wren.
Anyway, I had been stalling for months on the creation of this ring for her. When I woke up this morning, I knew it was the day for this ring, despite the storm clouds that had my soul all socked in.
I must have settled on the details of the concept during R.E.M. state because when I opened my eyes to daylight this morning, I knew I wanted to make this piece around the sweet notions of:
Something old,
something new,
something borrowed,
something blue.
I just fired her the images of her ring.
I hope she loves it.
She’s a real New Mexican/Idahoan princess of old soul and twinkly eyes…it’s for this reason I know she can handle the size of this ring!
I wanted to show it to you because it represents the love of one for another,
and it also represents my victory over what might have been a really grey day.
Here’s to pouring our minds out on paper,
to the slick slide of black ink over delicately toothed journal pages,
to the tea that warms our cores,
to the moments when we get to see straight.
I hope you had a wonderful Monday,
xx
Jillian Sue
Is there anything better than a cup of tea? I think not. =3
Beautiful pictures and a gorgeous ring. ^o^ Seeing your work is always a joy for me~
Wow!! That is one GORGEOUS ring!
I think that is the most beautiful ring, with pretty colors, and the bird… the most Beautiful ring I have ever seen.
xx
Wow- This wedding ring is nothing short of PERFECTION.
It's just AWESOME!!!!!!
………………………
I have a lump in my throat from reading this post.
The truth is, in the short time I "know" you, I can no longer imagine my life without you in it.
I know, it sounds so odd. Even to me.
Last week was rather a hellish week for me. One filled with lots of anxiety and insecurity.
I don't know why or how but that evolved into the sweetest 2 days this weekend.
I mean, days to remember, to uplift and keep me strong for the next dose of strong winds to sweep my way.
I love to read your words.
They make me feel more human and less neurotic, each time. I appreciate you more than I could ever convey properly.
I love you to bits because you're so REAL !
xoxo
so beautiful, wedding wren is just so BEAUTIFUL…
i've often thought that if he&me=we ever were to renew our vows, i would celebrate the day with a ring of your making…
&
i've often wondered what magic you would make for me…
but then
i've often felt, when i've slipped your Sanctuary,
w/Amethyst, pearl & chrysoprase, ring on my finger that it. is. the one…for when i say
i
do…
again.
how i love it so.
XOXO
Thank you. I had a rough day too. So in some weird cosmic messed up way, it's somewhat relieving to know that even the ladies who do what I do as a hobby, daily, can have a bad day here and there.
I feel like I should change this comment. But I won't. Because then it would be deleted and I won't have written to you at all which is, not the point.
So much far away state love,
Kelly
"here's to pouring our minds out on paper….to the slick slide of black ink over delicately toothed journal pages….to the tea that warms our cores….to the moments when we get to see straight…."
amen, sister. amen.
[btw: what a bountifully gorgeous ring.]
xx
[HAHha: my verification word is::
"singin"….]
Hmmm. If one has tiny hands (relatively speaking) and loves the Southwest…would you be interested in creating a wedding ring. Simple, turquoise, your style…
This is not fair to ask, cuz' you don't know me…but I love your style.Anyway, I hope your visit with your family is fantastic…
Again and again you manage to amaze me with your thoughts, talents and the ability to share those with us in a way that touches so deep. Thank you.
"Here's to pouring our minds out on paper,
to the slick slide of black ink over delicately toothed journal pages,
to the tea that warms our cores,
to the moments when we get to see straight."
My face, all swollen with tears and soothed by joel's giving me a mini-facial to console, reads this with reverence. I say that I wish my shadows produced such a tangible beauty to show for it.
But then I remember words.
Written.
Spoken in secret b/w lovers.
And I remember (through your borrowed encouragement) that art is made in many, many homes.
In many, many ways.
Thinking of you much in these busy days.
your friend forever.
crm
dear lord Jillian Sue…
Send me one of your journals and pens…I feel yours may have magic in them…
Wonderful, wonder full, work…
xo
I LOVE it!!! It's amazing Jillian!!! And I'm sure your friend will love it too!!!
Have a great week!!
Jilliwren:
That little bird was just tweetin', and hoppin' around, just waitin'for her moment. No wonder you were so anxious! With all that wren'ergy inside you!
I love this ring!
xo
Liza
Dear My Friend, I think you may be out doing even yourself. Way to hold your heart and hear it's cry. As ever, I'm proud to know you.
Alway, Umber.
Elizabeth: Nope! It really calms the nerves. 🙂 Thanks for being here! xx
Juli: I think you're the sweetest. Thank you! xx
Bonbon: Sorry for the crummy week. SO GLAD for the 2 wonderful days! Thanks for being in my life, sweet friend. xx
Nancy: I'd like to make a wedding ring for every single girl in the world! I really would. Yours would be covered in various hues of blue — I know THAT for certain. xx
Kelly: Sorry you also had a rough day and don't ever feel bad about connecting with me on a human level. The reason why I share things like the content of this post is because I am hoping to hear that you're all human too! If I were happy all the time, I'd be a freak show — seriously. An irregularly-evenly-emotioned-lady…with a beard (whaaaatttt???)! Thanks for taking a moment to reciprocate and let me know that you've known crappy days too. xx
M: Thanks for being here, dear, dear friend. xx
Maile: I hope the family visit is wonderful too! The parents should be here any moment! As for a turquoise ring for you — like I told Nancy, I wish I could make a wedding ring for every single girl in the world! xx
Piia: Well gosh! Thanks for being the wind in my sail! Love having you here, lovely lady!
CRM: Wish you were here. Seriously. I'd take a full 8 weeks of house guests just to have you near. Courage always and know I'll be your friend forever too. xx
Crow: GUFFAW! Love you woman. Love you so much. xx
Gabi: You have a wonderful week too, sister! xx
Liza: Right you are! Love you, toots! xx
what an amazing ring, and I am so glad you shared your process. Its nice on the down days to be able to read and remember how others lifted themselves up.
xo
Wauw, I so love your words… I can not tell you how much, because I don't know which words to use… It's almost a touch of the soul. Wauw…
May you always have days so incredibly frustrating – jeeeeeepers.
I need to find my victory over a bad day. I know something good will eventually come over the bad, however right now I'm wallowing in self pity. Sounds like I need some tea 😉
Twiggy: Thanks toots!!! xx
Petra: Well. That just put a huge smile on my face!
Syb: GUFFAWWWWW!!!!!
Anvil: Oh yes. Kick all of those emotions to the curb with a pot of tea and an inky pen and some paper. Seriously. Purge. xx
That's one seriously pent up ring. It looks heavy, Is it? Would you wear it to a business meeting? To a wedding?
Some lucky lady is going to kick some ass with that chunk on her finger!
Boy Howdy INDEED!!! If I was getting married, I would DEFINITELY be wearing that ring too!!! WAYYY better than a piddly little diamond. In fact, I may just renew my vows, from now on, every month or so…do you mind making a few more of these??? ;P
xx
B: It IS heavy. I'd wear it anywhere. 🙂
Vita: GUFFAWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!! I personally love the idea of getting married again every month or so (to the same fella, that is…). xx