Allegory of Abundance

Sometimes, the Universe extends the most extraordinary gifts.  Magical moments.  Something happens that is so amazingly mystical, we must stop and pay attention.  I've experienced two such instances over the past few weeks.  


Extraordinary gift #1:  I love antique shows and flea markets.  I've found some of my most prized possessions at local antique fairs.  Last summer, I purchased a beautiful print in a vintage frame for $8.  A little bruised and battered, but still in excellent condition, I proudly displayed my new picture in a strategic location I could easily view often.  I knew this beautiful drawing had a significant meaning, but didn't know the artist or how to even begin researching it.  One evening, I stood for a few moments in front of the painting, quietly asking to know the meaning.  Afterwards (the SAME evening), I retired for a few moments of Pinterest fun.  Among the many random pictures, a painting caught my eye.  Something about this painting, something vague, reminded me of my drawing.  I followed the pin...and to my amazement, it led me to the works of Sandro Botticelli, famous artist from the 1400s and to my drawing...

"The Allegory of Abundance"

"The drawing was first published as Botticelli by Robinson in his 1876 catalogue of John Malcolm's collection, and this attribution has generally been accepted. The drawing is usually dated to the early or mid 1480s as the stilted, yet graceful posture of Abundance and the exaggerated elongation of her form recall figures in Botticelli's mythological paintings of the period, the 'Primavera' and the 'Birth of Venus' (Florence, Uffizi). The learned classical allusions of these paintings also accord with the subject matter of the drawing which is derived from Book 9 of Ovid's Metamorphoses, where it is related that Hercules broke off one of the horns of the river god Achelous, who had transformed himself into a bull, and this was then sanctified and employed by the Goddess of Plenty to carry the fruits of Autumn's harvest. The drawing cannot be related directly to any painting by Botticelli, although it does bear some resemblance to a studio work representing an 'Allegory of Drunkenness' of circa 1485-90 in Chantilly". (www.britishmuseum.org).  


I find it amazing, that out of the hundreds of drawings, paintings, etc. that I could have chosen at an antique fair, I gravitated to this one...a beautiful reminder to focus on ABUNDANCE instead of loss; to focus on BLESSINGS instead of heartaches; to focus on LOVE in the place of hate.  Our Universe is full of mystical, whimsical, synchronistic surprises.  You just have to be open to receiving them!

Come back again soon for extraordinary gift #2...blessings.

"Artisan and Assemblage"

as·sem·blage:  A sculptural composition consisting of an arrangement of miscellaneous objects or found materials.
ar·ti·san:  a skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft.


I love making jewelry.  I work as an artisan jewelry designer, which means I practice the "handicraft" of jewelry making.  There are several types of jewelry design and different techniques wherein artists approach their  work.  Some artists make practically every component of their designs, from their closures, to their jump rings to their chain.  Other artists utilize the assemblage technique, composing their designs from a series of pre-made findings, pendants and chain.  Neither approach is better than the other; simply different.  


The handmade artisan designer invests a tremendous amount of time in his or her work, spending countless hours hammering, annealing, shaping, bending and wrapping until the masterpiece reaches completion.  The assemblage artists possesses an ability to "see" how things work together, consolidating colors and varying textures to arrange beautiful "sculptural compositions" for adornment.  I utilize both techniques in my jewelry-making practice, and adore both approaches.  I do, however, feel a tremendous amount of pride when I make something completely from my imagination.  Whatever approach one takes, it's just important to CREATE, CREATE, CREATE!  and have fun...

"AIR SERIES"
TEXTURED, ANNEALED COPPER WITH RIVETED COMPONENT
SOLDERED PENDANT

BEADED CHAIN

I LOVE THE NATURAL LOOK OF ANNEALED COPPER

ASSEMBLAGE EARRINGS

ASSEMBLAGE GODDESS PENDANT (I HAVEN'T NAMED HER YET)

CAN YOU SEE THE DRAGONFLY?

"Love Gives Us a Fairytale"

The Oriole weds his mottled mate
The Lily weds the bee;
Heaven's marriage ring is round the earth,

Let me bind thee?

~Author Unknown~

This Sunday was the wedding day of my beautiful friend, Haleema.  She graciously asked me to create the jewelry for her bridal party.  I love making jewelry, but I especially enjoy making jewelry for friends, and for such special occasions.  Haleema's floral choices were amazing, and provided me with a myriad of choices for the final jewelry presentation packaging.  

Those of you who have purchased custom projects from me in the past know that the "art of presentation" is just as important to me as the gift inside of the "box".... I say box, however, there are many ways to package a special gift.  I challenge you to find specials ways to make a special present even more magnificent and unique.  Wrap it in handmade paper, seal it with old fashioned wax; use vintage fabric and tie it with fancy ribbon.  PLAY with presentation.  You'll be surprised at how many ideas you can manifest.  

Once in awhile, 

Right in the middle of an ordinary life, 

Love gives us a fairy tale.

~ Anonymous ~

Congratulations to Haleema and Brendan Sullivan!  

May you enjoy the fairy tale, now and forever!

THE MASTER BOX

GIFT TAGS

BRACELET BOX

SMALL NECKLACE BOX

SMALL NECKLACE BOX

THE BRIDE'S BRACELET

BRIDESMAID PENDANTS

BRIDESMAID EARRINGS

I Think I'll Stick to Jewelry!

Nope, I am NOT a baker by nature.  I have such respect and admiration for those who are naturally inclined to create amazing pastries, deserts, breads, etc., but blessed with that skill and creative vision, I am not.  But that doesn't mean that I cannot purchase a Betty Crocker cake mix with the best of them!  A little bit of mixing, baking, icing and what do you know?  I just made some cupcakes!  And guess what? There are so many fun and unique items to embellish your moist little cakes like....GLITTER! Yes, we now have bling for cupcakes.  


Wishing you all an amazing and fun-filled Valentine's celebration week filled with lots of love and happiness.  

Remembering Your Roots

“Never destroy any aspect of personality, for what you think is the 

wild branch may be the heart of the tree.” 

~Mrs. Henry George~

I took this picture during my last visit home to Georgia. It was a beautiful afternoon, and I snapped this photo while visiting my grandmother's gravesite. As difficult as it is to explain, this picture encompasses how I felt during the trip. Nostalgic, emotional, inquisitive...so many things about my family I'd love to know. I often think about my roots and all the little things to which I can attribute my personality and spirit. I had such a great time, conversing with my cousins, aunts, uncles about the good ole' days and learned some valuable information about my family heritage. My grandmother is of Native American decent, and embraced so much of their spirituality and reverence for nature. Her mother's name (my great Grandmother) was "Nancy Sophronia" - an amazingly beautiful name of Greek origin, which means "wise". I could tell you some funny stories; I could share some sad ones, but I'd rather just share my feelings with you through this picture. I encourage you to dig a little into your roots. Take a small climb up your family tree; you might be pleasantly surprised at what you find, wild branches and all!

Last Project of 2011

“Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life. The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can. I wish you Happy New Year and diary full of best stories ever written in your life".

~Douglas Pagels~

2011 has been a great year.  2012 is already off to an incredible start!  I wish you all an amazing year filled with much love, creativity, abundance and peace.  Challenge yourself to learn more, do more and be more this year.  Don't accept mediocrity; aim for excellence in all areas of your life.  Spend time with friends and family who want the best for you and support you in all your endeavors.  DO NOT invest time and energy into relationships which drain you rather than fill you with hope and strength.  Most of all, remember to be KIND to yourself.  Take care of your body and it will take care of you.   Take a few moments along your journey to relish in your accomplishments and enjoy your successes.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Below is my last creation of 2011.  A friend commissioned me to create this piece for her boyfriend's mother...she adores horses.  Nakota and Nevada (baby and mother) were the subjects.  I wanted to capture the essence of horses - worn leather, a little rugged with warm colors.  Etched brass mounted on stained glass soldered pendant with antique bronze wire-wrapped beads.  I loved working on this project.  More to come in 2012!

To Kali...

"The greatest masterpieces were once only pigments on a palette."

~Henry Hoskins~

I love the creative process.  It all begins with an idea.  It could be a simple thought or the elaborate daydream of manifesting something only you, the creator, can visualize.  For me, creating jewelry is  my main artistic medium and thoroughly fulfills my innate creative muse.  Recently, when working on  the copper pendant below, affectionally named "Kali", after the Goddess of Transformation, I had an epiphany...art, whatever the medium, is so symbolic of life.  Okay, I know, it's been said before, but it was the first time I truly embraced this comparison.  I worked on Kali, shaping her, bending her.  I hammered her, heated her, dowsed her.  There were times along her creative path that were ugly and uncomfortable, when I felt like discarding Kali and starting over.  But I didn't give up.  I continued working on her until she was complete.  And in her completion, she is still not perfect, for her slight imperfections and roughness make her completely unique and beautiful.  

I am Kali.  I have been shaped and formed, yes, I've been hammered, bent and put through the fire.  But all these things, even the unpleasant and unsightly experiences in my life have formed and shaped the individual I am today.  And I am happy with that.  No, I am not perfect and I am a little rough around the edges, but I'm on a continual path of transformation and growth. I encourage you today to embrace the changes that come your way. For it is only through the forging circumstances of life that we become stronger and more unique individuals, contributing to this amazing universe.

To Kali...