Ever since Plumbelina perished, I have thought a lot on the topic of the lightness of being and the weight of existence — these earrings spring forth from those musings which I look forward to sharing with you sometime in December. I have been on the brink of resupplying my metals here for numerous weeks now and so there has been plenty of copper in the shop these past few days. The warmth of the metal has been comforting. I think these little dandies wear so elegantly I will probably go ahead and make a few sets in sterling with a dash of keum boo across the surface of the wings.
Oh, I don’t know, a million things are happening here. I’m feeling a thousand emotions course through my heart chambers like some sort of wind whipping, hoof stomping stampede. There’s a rush and then the suddenness of dust settling and always the wondering of the why of it all. Humans are complicated — this isn’t about anybody, this is about everybody. I was just telling someone today that living with a thyroid disease has taught me to be a compassionate person. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, is dealing with something invisible. Me included. We all need to be loved, no matter what. We all need to give love, and all other nuances of that word, with broadness of heart, no matter what.
I sat down to write, two days ago, and three poems came out. They have the potential to be good. They were all sad. When I read them aloud to myself, in the echoing purity of The White Room, out in the studio, I had the realization that there is a deep, trembling sadness locked up inside me right now. I want it gone. But I can also recognize that its presence is part of my process as a human, as a creative human, as a child of God. That sadness is there for a reason and I will be its student and the life lesson that comes from the existence of it will bring light to my bones and my soul. This is living, the sum of dark and light. This is living, these honest attempts.
:::Post Scriptus:::
You may have noticed that my blogspace is looking different. I have left Blogger and moved my posts over to WordPress with the help of a dear friend who has been smithing my website these past couple of months (THANK YOU, Q). The easiest way to locate this blog now is to go to my official website where you can click on BLOG and be brought directly here to this new space! There is an RSS feed button available to you on the right margin here if you’d like to know when I’ve published new blog posts. The option for commenting is now found at the top of my posts. As always, I’m so thankful that you take the time to read and encourage me. I hope you continue to be a bright and beautiful part of my world! xx
you know, dear j-feather, you have shown to me an unexpected yet truly appreciated amount of love and compassion. you have taught me what it means to love. i’ll always be grateful for you teaching me.
on the subject of the lightness of being, the weight of existence: it’s been a long study of mine. here one day, gone the next. i’ve loved and lost. many times over. so have you. so have others.
i had never really liked butterflies ’til recently. you’ve been [knowingly? unknowingly?] sending them my way for quite a while now. butterflies are now a favourite creature.
keep up the wordpress! it looks good on you!! xx
“I’ve loved and lost. many times over. so have you. so have others….”
SO HAS EVERYONE…..all the more reason for compassion.
I love how you put this…
“I’m feeling a thousand emotions course through my heart chambers like some sort of wind whipping, hoof stomping stampede. There’s a rush and then the suddenness of dust settling and always the wondering of the why of it all.”
You have such an amazing way with words. It’s magical. 🙂
And as for the sadness you’re feeling, the way you will get out from under it is what makes you so lovely and loveable. You always find the light. It’s one of the things I so admire about you.
Thanks for believing in my, sweet woman.
Praying for you daily, by the way.
Holding you aloft in my heart.
x
Love the new space look. Your art on the side bar just shines!!
What a beautiful pair of earrings!
Lots of love to you! XO
xx
life… I was just contemplating personal perceptions and ‘the silent battles’ we all live.
its funny how synchronized we all can be.
Love love
I know!
I’ve also been thinking, lately, how there’s this constant push to prove that we’re unique from one another. What about the joy of relating and realizing that we’re also wonderfully similar as human beings? What about celebrating the things that make us human and beautiful and ONE. ???
amen!
I also agree with Dana G. I love the way that you put that in to words. I often feel like I have a thousand emotions coursing through me and it is always interesting to know what to do with them. Thanks you for expressing things in ways that most of us have trouble doing. You bring freedom with your word, through them you bring yourself freedom, but by expressing them publicly you bring freedom to others as well. To those who can not always capture there emotions in words as you do. Thanks for being open and willing to share. Much Blessing and love,
Maegan
Thank YOU, Maegan.
x
Hi Jillian,
Well I’m glad you moved your blog – I could never get the comments to work on the other one. I would like to offer my condolences for little Plum – no wonder you’re sad, especially when you’re hugging your new little pup and remembering it wasn’t long ago Plum was the same size. But I’m glad you guys were smart enough to go right out and get Tater, it’s the only thing a dog wants for their human! Sounds like you’re on the right path for sure, so enjoy the autumn days before they are gone – I know I’m trying to get every day off that the sun shines possible! 🙂
HA!
Thank you! I’m glad the comments are working for you now. 🙂 I’m sad for a lot of reasons here, to be honest. Plum is just one of them. Tater is doing his best to buoy me up. He’s quite the fella!
I tell myself often to be kinder than necessary, everyone is fighting a battle. Such a beautiful reminder. May your sweet butterflies fly away to their new homes and bring someone joy in a time when it is needed. Wishing you a wonderful week.
Wishing you a wonderful week too, sweet one. x
I found myself rereading the beginning pages of Dark Nights before I conked out last night, and this is the passage that stayed with me: “…Be silent. Float in your darkness as if it were the waters of the womb, and give up trying to fight your way out or make sense of it.”
I have butterflies etched on my skin, a reminder of our transformative nature. (Thank God. The thought of forever remaining my 20-something self–as brilliantly all-knowing and magnificently naive as she was–gives me hives.)
xxx
Well. I don’t think I’m floating right now, I think I’m treading water and JUST managing to keep my head above the surface — honestly. Perhaps tomorrow will be more effortless….:) You always make me laugh, Ash. Thank you for that. x
Aww, it can be such an exhausting place (space) to be. That’s usually when I end up having a two-hour howly bags with my mum. And when I get off the phone, I then mentally slap on my yellow duckie floaties and tell the Big Fulla that he can steer for a while because I’m too blimen’ knackered. (BUT, if he hurls me over some humungo waterfall and pops my floaties, I’m going to be really p.o’d.)
Sending love and hugs and general ridiculousness. Hope today was peaceful.
A xxx
Oh, just saw Winter Berries. So so beautiful!
Plume-
Lovely post. They all are, but this one especially so. Thank you for being brave enough to share your heartache and soul-growth with the world!
Also a little note- I’ve got your blog bookmarked, and when you switched to WordPress, my bookmark magically switched too! The wonderous interwebs never cease to amaze…
Beth, glad to hear I didn’t lose you! And thanks for being sweet. I share what I can, when I can. Thank you for receiving it.
dearest Plume.
Yes isn’t that a tough lesson… to reside within the darkness, until the light within us shines again, but only when it’s ready and we’ve had the courage to stay within the dark spaces will it arrive with the life and ferocity of a pure thing and stay with us for a while.
The Buddha tough that so much of life’s suffering comes from attachment…Even our attachment to being happy. if we let ourselves be sad we will suffer less for it.
May the darkness hold you gently in her arms.
love to you.
J,
I miss you. And yes, it’s best to not hurry these things.
Hope you’re well, sister.
x
Don’t lose the lessons that the dark may teach, but strive for and live in the light. You shine.
Have a great day.
B.B. — I shant. I shall. You do too. x
Sometimes what you say is exactly what I need. Do you know this?
xo
I didn’t. But sometimes, a postcard from you arrives in the mail with a quote on the back of it and you share exactly what I NEED. xx
My thyroides they don’t work well as well….when you’ve passed through bad moments you begin to understand others better, because you lived that bad moment, you KNOW what is it, you’ve been there….with passing time I see how I turn more tolerant and compassive…
I’m not English speaker, but I enjoy so much reading you…is like to wrap up in a cozy blanket…
I send you warm vibes and I wish your sadness will go away with the wind.
xx
Thanks for the warm vibes, babe — thanks for being here! So sorry you’re also suffering from a broken thyroid. Fight hard for your serenity, sweets. xx
I think a lot about existence and loss and how people cope with it. It is such a difficult thing but you work your way through it. It is entirely possible to be happy and sad all at the same time forever. I have lived this way for most of my life. When someone close to me leaves, whether it be human or animal, that sadness that comes is a part of me remembering them. It makes the good memories shine brighter against that darker backdrop of melancholy.
Have you ever seen antique mourning jewelry? I collect it a bit. The pieces with woven hair are amazing to behold and are so precious.
I have not! I’m going to see if I can find some images online! Sounds fascinating. x
oh my these are fabulous.
I am starting a silversmithing class tomorrow, i have been so inspired by your work i want to pull the creativity out of myself. Do you have any wise words of wisdom to a newbie? also i need to buy supplies & the websites they recommended are SO confusing, where are your favorite places to shop?
thanks big bunches
Jaccalyn in Az
Jacci! How exciting! I order metals from IJS, Santa Fe, Monsterslayer, Rio Grande and a few other places. The stones I use come from all over the world, the gem show in Tucson and a few other spots. Are you taking the class at Mohave? You’re going to have SO MUCH FUN! Let me know how it goes!
My advice is: HAVE FUN! 🙂
Yes, its a leisure class at MCC, so its only a month long. but then i Jan i start working on my AA degree in ARTS. I’m super excited to be going on this new adventure, its been at least 12 yrs since I’ve been to school.
thanks for the websites…i will look into them. AND of course i WILL have FUN!!!
Simply put, I have been watching you from Internetville for a short time. I found you through Etsy. And in that short time, you have opened, healed, inspired and moved bits of me. I don’t really know you but somehow, I love your soul. I just wanted you to know that.
~Christina // TheWildPlum (on Etsy)
Dear Wild Plum: Thank you for telling me. You made me cry. xx
OH, Ms. P, I dearly love reading your sweet words;o) I’m happy you moved to WordPress. I’ve been thinking about that lately and wonder what you think about it. Is it manageable and easy to use? I love your new look and so wish I could have a puppy hug;o) Hugs to all at Plume Gables and enjoy the weekend.
Beauties xo
metamorhphosis: unavoidable. painful. necessary. beautiful.
Well Shit. This move to wordpress explains why I’ve not been notified of your updates. Fixing this posthaste. I missed you.