A storm is raging outside tonight and the winds are gale force as we wait for the drenching rains that are forecast. The lights kept blinking in the studio and since it can be very dark out there if the power goes out, I came inside. Inside where Phil and Jake for the umpteenth time are watching the same movie. I like this movie too, Big Trouble, but after the 83rd time, the humor is old. I know it by heart and just can't laugh at it anymore!

The studio work table tonight.

 I did get home from work early this afternoon and after a veg break, watching TV and having lunch, I was able to get some much needed jewelry made for the shop. These pieces are all for the spring display window that will be in the front of the building.

Multi dangle earrings out of glass and antiqued brass.

With a little bit of luck, I may even be able to work in the studio tomorrow and create some resin souvenir for visitors to take home from Port Townsend. I have had that idea for quite some time in my head. Time to put resin to mould and get the job done!

Earring closeup.

Any moment I expect to be in the dark here so I had better end this posting. Have a great day tomorrow. 

Have You Ever Wondered...

...why crows gather together? Maybe they are like people seeking friendships among themselves. Maybe it is to end up like the fellow in the bottom of this image, all tucked in close to the ground, feet up with everyone looking at him.

Tonight finds me in a strange mood as I wait for the owners of Jessie and Daisy to come home. I think I will be up late tonight or rather this morning, waiting for them to head home to bed. When their
" parents " are gone, they are here. I call them my Monday through Friday dogs. I wonder what they must think of having two families love them so much. They will never lack for companionship, love, food or doggie kisses.

I need to end this missive and get ready for dreamland myself. Tomorrow sends me into the shop to play amongst the ArtFest attendees. Creativity is in the air!

A Quick, Super Quick Check in!

Wall flowers all wild and gorgeous blooming in the sun yesterday on the bluff  into downtown.

I want to fly like an eagle.

Art Fest friends in town for dinner and the great art event!

My Michael in his kindergarten picture. He turns 29 today and I am blessed because he is my son!
My lovely, lovely son!

Days Are Missing

How can it be 10 days, TEN DAYS! , since I posted on this blog?! I have had the most miserable cold, all misery in the form of coughing, coughing, earaches and sore throats. Everyone in PT seems to have it and now I hear it lasts for at least three weeks and then has turned into pneumonia in some and bronchitis in others. Sigh - I am such a whiner but in my defense, I did not expect this bout of cold when I had my first ever flu shot!

Anyhow, we briefly had about three hours of sunlight last Wednesday or Thursday so I summoned all my cold weakened energy, dashed outside and snapped these pictures of spring in PT.

The Olympic Mountains as seen from my deck.

In the front garden, heather and miniature daffodils in bloom.

Giving Up a Piece of Self

Owning and working my shop is simply the best part of my life. The life I imagined I would have from the time I was a little girl creating a store in my parent's garage. Everything I did and learned all through life prepared me for the moment when my work became my life and my life became my own. Like training wheels being removed from my first bike, I took off and became what I had imagined. I love it.

Nearly nineteen years later, I realize that along with my chosen path has been the giving up of myself. I have missed events, lost friendships, ignored family and became consumed with working which, you must understand to me was never work but play. People have not always understood. Everyone thought, if you owned your own business you were free to take as much time as possible off from work, you could come and go as you pleased. That is simply not true of course, but in my case, I also make a large part of what I sell so the time factor has slipped away from me and become not my own. Creativity is a big part of everyday for me and something I can not imagine a life without.

No, what I have given up is the time to create my own work. Work that springs from a deep, deep place inside me and is not made with selling in mind. A from the gut work that speaks only to me. Work that allows me to expand my abilities in such a way that I feel fulfilled, satisfied and wanting another drink from that well every day, all day.

My work is the other man in my life. It supersedes every relationship I have or have had and becomes a living breathing entity that needs nurture and care. This is what I am missing. This is the piece of myself that I have given up. This is the sorrow I sometimes feel.

I am grateful that I do what I love and call it my living. I am grateful I have understanding from some. I am grateful that I support my family and others on this work. I am grateful for the spark of creativity I have been given.

Now, if I can just find more time.............

Moon-ing About

This piece of bead embroidery is almost done. I will be making myself a brooch and with eyes wide open, I will wear it as a talisman.  I lust after bead embroidery and find it hard to stop working on a piece. I just want to let it grow and grow/ This piece is done in some of my favorite colors, amethyst or purples and tourmaline greens. It is not often that I take the time to work on something just for myself and this piece I will wear with a sense of accomplishment. I will be back with the finished pics one of these days. Until then, I am going to nurse my cold and watch junk television and send prayers up for Japan.

She has gone. Carried into the vets office, laid on a soft, colorful blanket. Stroked. kissed and hugged goodbye, she ever so slowly closed her eyes, breathed one last deep breath and with a gentle sigh, slipped her earthly bonds and went home. My best and most devoted friend has left me and I am ever so sad. I look at her bed, her dish and miss her. At 5:30, time  to feed her and I wonder of she is okay, warm, happy. Again, I am crying. This grief is going to take awhile to pass and I will hold her memory and love in my heart forever. As my Baba would say, " Not goodbye , just say so long. "