Ridiculously excited...

...about this ring...
(I am enamoured with this combination of colours!)

...and about this...

...being published here...

(page 163, if you're curious...)

...and about going camping this weekend.


Fresh air,


campfires,


bush walks,


Mother Nature in abundance...


does it get any better?


:-)


~*~


What are you excited about this week?


I hope your weekend is looking fine and fun!

The Ocean's Keep

Cast your soul to the ocean…




Let her waves wash over you,
and caress the worries from your brow.
She has a salty salve to heal your heart,
and gentle arms of froth and light
to cleanse,
to clarify,
to purify...




Let her tides take the sorrows from your spirit…
surrender to her ebb as she gathers up your woes,
embrace her flow as she bears you peace and plenty.




Let her winds fill your sails to brimming...
submit as she carries you forth,
takes you away,
pushes you ever forward on this journey of life.




And when your spirit is round and refreshed,
walk upon her sandy shore,
grounded,
yet lifted...
feel your soul nourished and full.
Leave your troubles with the ocean's keep,
and carry her riches in your heart.






The Ocean's Keep Ring
Sterling silver, 9 carat gold, chrysocolla


If she needs to belong to you, you can find her here
:-)

P.S.  Words cannot express how much I am grateful for all of your gracious comments on my last post.  I feel blessed that I can take you along on this journey as I chase my dreams! 

-xo-

Dream On...

My Grandpa (88 years and counting) has shared this journey with me from the beginning...

He watches me walk past his room every night as I carry my freshly soldered creations from my studio to the kitchen for pickling...


He lies in his bed listening to me hammering and sawing and sanding...


He asks questions, shows a quiet interest in my processes...


And the other day, he reminded me just how long I have been dreaming this dream...





He recalled taking me along to the local technical college as a wide-eyed 16 year old, hoping to sign up for a jewellery course...

He recalled the woman behind the desk wanting to sign me up for a very expensive five year course...


He recalled that I signed up for the very cheap four week course instead.


He recalled taking me along to the local hardware store, and helping me buy the tools for my short course...


needle files, wet & dry paper, saw blades, drill bits...
(would you believe I use those same needle files today...!)

Then Grandpa said to me,


'There's a lot of years between then and now.  Since then you've worked, gotten married, had two children...and now you're doing it, what you wanted to do all those years ago.


So, were you thinking about doing this all that time?'


Well, yes Grandpa, I was...

14 years of dreaming and hoping and wanting...


wishing and craving and imagining...





Do dreams come true?


Why, yes...


yes,


I believe indeed they do :-)

The Pace of Nature

Adopt the pace of Nature

Her secret is patience

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

~*~

Mother Nature knows that good things take time.
Her every action is thoughtful
and productive…
a perfectly orchestrated symphony of creation.

She weaves every thread to a glorious whole
with a magic that is only possible
with time and temperance.

She works with Time's hand,
not against it,
at a pace that is patient and deliberate,
wasting not action nor moment.

Her masterpieces are crafted
with a tender hold,
coaxed piece by piece,
thread by thread,
moment by moment.

There is no urgency,
no limit on time.
Growth takes as long as it takes,
life cannot be rushed...

Slow down,
live,
breathe,
and entice life at a gentle pace,
with a peaceful soul
and a patient heart....

~*~

{ SOLD - thank you! x }

Celebrating Two...

We've come a long way, you and I...

I have watched two years of moments 
transform you,
shape you...

watched you grow,
and learn,
and thrive...

I have watched you find your feet to walk,

then run,

as they carry you into a new world which is opening up before you every single day...

I have laughed to tears along with you...

your laugh is hands down the best in the world,

the whole world.

Hands down...

I have felt my heart melt and my soul sing...

...whenever you bless me with a kiss...

You are all things to me...

my headache,

my heartbeat...

And you will always be my baby...

Happy 2nd birthday, darling boy.

Forever and always,

Mum

-xxx-

I love...

...afternoons spent this way...

...decorating my studio...

...watermelon tourmaline...!

{and in particular, rose cut watermelon tourmaline... *swoon*}

{SOLD - thank you! x}

Tell me about your week...

what is making you smile?

Breathe

Some days,
it is enough
just to breathe…

Those days
when your soul feels frayed,
heavy and hard
from life's afflictions….

Those days
when your eyes are open,
but you see only burden and bustle
wrapped tightly around every thought…

Those days,
when your heart-strings 
remember the music 
to your soul's song,
but the words are merely memory…

On those days,
when you are heavy of heart
and slight of spirit,

it is enough
to just be,
to just breathe…

A gentle reminder in sterling silver and aquamarine, that some days it is enough just to breathe...

{SOLD - thank you!}

A new chapter

This book of life certainly makes for an interesting read...


sometimes it is a mystery,


sometimes a romance ;-)


but always an adventure.


I think, if you can view life as a book,


know that the hard times are merely another chapter,


and that they WILL come to an end,


you can deal with whatever life throws at you.


It's just another chapter...


After a month-long absence, I am SO happy to be back with you.


I have missed you.


Thank you for every beautiful word you sent my way...


...you were a shining light during some very dark days,


and for that, I am forever grateful.


-xxx- 


~*~


So, where I am now?


I am 1,000 kilometres away,


beginning a new chapter :-)


Caring for two men who are near and dear while they battle a relentless beast
(cancer...chemotherapy...'nuff said)


The beat of life is finding a new rhythm, 


and I have begun to create once more.


It is a joy, a therapy and a release all rolled into one joyous bundle.

My new space is abundant with light...

I love that Mother Nature is just outside my window...

When life is turned on its head, you tend to slow down,


take notice of the little details around you...

...and take great pleasure in the simple things...

My apprentice approves of the new space...

And hopefully one day soon he will tire of hiding my tools out the window :-)

~*~

My Etsy shop is now re-open for business.

I have decided to give my Muse free reign for now,

to create whatever her heart desires

rather than focusing on a new collection.

It's only fair,

I've kept her under lock and key for a whole month :-)

~*~

Thank you for still being here,

you are SO wonderful!

With love,

P.S.  What do you think of my new blog design?

I decided to go all minimalist...

simple is good :-)