Jewels are my Latest Creation

 Here is the latest of my creations in a series I sell called "Jewels". It is a beautiful short necklace, with handcrafted, porcelain beads and real turquoise decorative touches. I made a matching pair of earrings because I like to keep it easy. What to wear? Voila.   

Now the different aspect of this creation is that I made, by my own hands, each and every tan bead. I use high fire porcelain, stained with that lovely red iron oxide we see in the red rocks of Sedona, AZ, where I live and work in my studios. Each turns out a one of a kind color and design.

 First step is to my clay studio, where I create the beads. They have to be sponged clean, so each is smooth against our lovely necks. After the beads come out of the kiln,  I go to my " clean," calligraphy studio which doubles for my jewelry assemblage. the word Clean is open to interpretation,  I suppose. 

There I look in my magic boxes of stones and beads and find the perfect turquoise, including  a lovely turtle. I like  these creatures.  Kind of like me, I guess. They might move slowly, but they  don't stop. Slow and steady,  but there is always something new to inspire. Enjoy. 

What are your thoughts?

Patterns

I was walking in the woods in Flagstaff and noticed this beautiful pattern in the bark of a tree.It reminds me of what I am noticing a lot lately, which is the patterns in my  life, and those around me, and how they shape my reactions to events. I think a lot of the patterns are old ones, maybe not even conscious considerations, merely habits I got into way back when, probably for survival, at an early age.
 But do they serve me now? Often not, I am thinking. They are in continuity, because I have  acted  the same for so long I have dug a deep groove where I am  familiar, hence comfortable. I often recognize them in others. How am I doing with myself? There is the ongoing experiment. 
The same can certainly happen with our art. We are almost encouraged to Re create that which sells. So, what I  can do is to make each single piece as unique as possible, truly a  "one of a kind" even if it is in a certain style. Hence I don't get bored. And every time there is a show, I like to go  way out of the mold  for a different look entirely. That seems to be a good way to break out of life's old habits also,to  just act or think unlike what is the old me. When I do it often enough, I will make  a new pattern. 
Surely there are those who share these observations also. I would love your feedback.