[sterling silver, copper & seed beads]
You know, travel is a two edged sword for me. That thing they say:
“Every day away from creative work will take you three days to recover from.”
Well, it’s true! I will testify! Tragically/blessedly, I was away in Idaho for ten days…that makes for a thirty day recovery period (ahhhhhhhhhhhhh I will never make it!!!!!!!!!!). Today I finally felt like I had a bounce in my step out in the studio. Every morning, for the past week, it’s been like yanking teeth to get me out here, working, sweating silver, dreaming up good stuff. Seriously. I ran 14 miles on Monday because I was feeling mildly avoidant. What do I do when I am religiously avoiding the studio or any kind of creative effort? You don’t want to know. It’s all freaky. To boot, we are leaving the Methow Valley and moving home to Idaho in the next few weeks and I tend to sort of withdraw from my creative efforts when I feel a transition is looming — a bit like a military wife when her husband’s deployment is a few days away. Wait. Can I compare my work to a husband? I suppose I can.
Anyway, today me and the hammers and the flame and all my other tools and bits and pieces were really jiving for the first time in days. I only had four hours to work after running errands down in the valley and look at what happened! Some darling little cutie pie earrings surfaced! Thank God for those little cutie pies. I can feel myself coming on, coming on like a freight train.
But let me be frank, they’re pretty awesome earrings. I really like this design. I feel like my white-girl-whimsy was working double overtime today. Good news: I actually started four pairs of these babies (or variations on this design) and will turn out a few more in the next few days. What do I love about them? I love that they are oversized post earrings, that they are three dimensional, that the post component is a beautiful leafy shape, that there is color involved as well as some organic forms and textures as well as nice movement. Delicious.
I have more to say but I have to run! A friend is hosting a dinner party tonight and I’m already late.
Toodaloo!
X
crazy beautiful stuff flowing from your brain into your creative hands.
good luck with that recovery process….!
xx
Bless you, friend. XX
They look like a piece of fruit! Very fun design! I love how your “favorite forms of the season” make their way into all sorts of things. Last year, the lichens. This year, that lovely little leaf (kinnikinnik?? sp??)
It is very hard to find your groove after a break. I used to belong to a metal arts studio, and would escape for an entire day once a week. Now, we finally got me set up at home after months of saving for all the tools, and it has really been hard to get back into it. Especially since my time to create is after the kids go to bed. Snore! This mama has about 10% creative energy at that time.
I know! Last year I used that lichen form of mine to the point of DEATH! I just loved it and it was so fun to use in so many different capacities…
Hang in there. You’ll catch your habit again and fly. You mothers are such super heros…seriously. Do what you can! XX
Man o Man, Erin is right: a plump juicy ripe fruit of a mysterious nature. pineappleish? missed you ’round here.
xoxo Kerry
Very fruity. I agree. Missed you back. X
Love them! That beautiful bright green. You are in a green place lately, huh? 🙂
I love whenever plant motifs – the leaves, a seed pod shape, twigs and branches – occur in your work. It’s like watching alchemy.
I sure am in a green place. 🙂
I also like the plant motifs and never grow bored of them. They’re always sneaking into the work…
Those are rad….unique and playful! It looks like you made a swift return to the creative mojo. But I do agree….most winters I travel overseas & getting back into the studio rhythm after a 6 week hiatus always feels like scrubbing off rust. Even though I pine for it while on the road….It always boggles me!
I worked hard and finding my way again…like, double overtime. With our move coming up I’m just desperate to get some good work done before I have to pack everything up again. 🙂
“…like scrubbing off rust…”
Totally. I hear you.
Choo-choo! They’re just perfect, white girl. I LOVE the green seed beads hugging that dark charcoal metal. Cutie pies for sure.
GUFFAW!
You know where the white-girl-whimsy phrase came from? One of my friends was visiting and looking at some of the work I had finished in the Airstream and she said, “It’s not really Native American looking….it’s sort of…WHITE GIRL WHIMSICAL…”
I laughed quite hard.
Wish you could have heard the conversation in person…
X
How funny, I was just talking to someone about avoidance; I’m also rather adept at it.
Glad you were in full conversation with your creative self, the results are lovely!
Be well.
xx
GAH.
I know.
It’s terrible.
It would be even WORSE if I had a horse!!!
XX
Holy moly it’s been a long time!
Oh these are just so fresh and beeeeeautiful! Finding you again… It makes me miss you so much! Have a splendid week J !!! Huggggggs
Mash.
I missed you.
“white girl whimsy” HA! Love it!!
I could totally use some right now… I’ve been avoiding my studio, well, not really avoiding, finding ‘other’ things to do (like prepare for the little showing up in a mere 4 weeks) but really need to stockpile as I’ve got shows planned once he’s here… yipes… ok… off I go!!
Stay well.
A.