‘Twas Two Days Before Christmas . . .

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. . . and all through the town . . .

Today I happily set out with a small group of errands to run, none of which would be life or season threatening if not accomplished. It’s a very cold day here in Central Texas and I was sure that shoppers would don the Christmas spirit along with their jackets today.

People were actually quite cheery at my first stop; but then I was just finishing up a previously ordered large purchase and they were feeling good about it. The “spirit” of people at my next stop wasn’t quite the same. There were lots of shoppers at Penney’s and they were NOT all smiling. I felt sorry for the little children there who were either being pushed in a store cart or ushered by hand around the building. I was hopeful of finding a smiling child and eventually spotted two. Their dad had them in a double stroller and was tilting it as he tried to convince the little guys that they were flying. I hope the mom, who was shopping nearby, appreciated the delightful squeals of her children.

I also saw a large fellow standing very still as he looked at the women’s slippers hanging on the wall. He just stood there; so I just watched. Finally he removed a carefully folded list from his coat pocket. He put it back and continued to just stand there. Perhaps I should have offered to help, but, knowing that advise sometimes adds more confusion, I just moved on.

Many of the people in the store just looked confused. It’s that time of the season when you can no longer put off choosing what to get for Aunt Margaret or Uncle Harry. I noted that some people look downright angry when they are forced into last minute decisions.

A pair of women, having trouble making a choice, eventually grabbed a garment and determined they could take the one they already purchased back. I think there will be many returns after Christmas and I’m really glad that doesn’t usually happen with the jewelry I sell.

I traveled on to Walmart and kept watching for smiling Christmas shoppers. Several times I observed older couples and thought one or the other of them was smiling. Then I realized that when you’ve lost several teeth, your lips take on a different shape that can look like a smile. (Actually, some looked like frowns.) I hope when my teeth fall out I’m left smiling.

Although I had planned some other stops, I came home right after Walmart. I had collected all the smile data I needed for the day and concluded that the facial expressions I sought just weren’t very abundant. At home, I put the Christmas music on, gave the animals extra treats and put on my own smile. I plan to keep it on my face for many days. This is more important than what I’m giving people. My family may not remember what I gave them for Christmas, but they will probably remember my disposition!

One of the gifts I made best depicts the source of my feelings for the season.

I just need to realize how happiness comes from that which touches my heart and let the cross remind me of the source of the true Christmas spirit. I hope this also puts a smile on your face.

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‘Tis the Season For . . .

Filed under: Necklaces, Pendants, Philosophy, Wire Work | Back to: Homepage

. . . RED! It’s interesting to watch groups of people and note the predominance of things that are red this time of year. Red sweatshirts, red blouses, red skirts and red Santa hats seem to be in vogue. It also seems a good time for red noses as winter ebbs and flows in the center of Texas. Amid the red I keep hearing “cough, cough, s n e e z e!” Yes – ‘tis that time of year too.

Red jewelry also seems to be popular right now. I’ve sold all the coral necklaces I made and have noticed an abundance of red bling on the necks and wrists of shoppers.

I tried to wear red bling. Several weeks ago I made a red garnet pendant and hung it from black seed beads. It just didn’t work. One reason was that it was not the right length. This became apparent when I wore it to a wire workers meetup and people kept saying “pull your necklace up” or “pull your shirt down.” These gals are very helpful and obviously I needed to do something about that red necklace.

Last night I took it apart and reworked the little jewel. This is not my favorite part of designing, but every once in a while you just have to give in and admit you didn’t get it right the first time.

I changed the strands from which the pendant hangs to a type of figure eight double strand. In the dark last night it looked great. In the light this morning IT DIDN’T! Although all the beads are garnet, they didn’t all look the same color. Therefore, midday brought another necklace revision wherein I added some of the strand beads to the pendant. I’m almost afraid to look at it again, but am hoping I have it right this time.

Right now I’m thinking that it’s too bad you can’t give unmatched beads a dip in something, like you do with metal in liver of sulphur, to make them end up the same color. If there are any chemists out there – go for it! (OK – I’m sure all you gemologists just cringed – sorry.)

When I struggle with a piece like this I try to figure out what, if anything, I learned from the project. This piece taught me to pay more attention to how I finish something, to try on a piece as I work on it, to look at things more often in good light and to accept that good resistance to closure may go on for weeks. “Yet, red necklace, I’m definitely finished with you now.”

Happy Red to all of you!

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Laughter and Productivity

Filed under: Creativity, Diversions, family, Metal Work, Philosophy, soldering, Torch Work, Wire Work | Back to: Homepage

Most of us know that laughter is an excellent way to prepare for creative thinking. The research certainly backs this up and I can attest to it. When I worked with the Creativity Division of the National Association for Gifted Children, it seemed the other divisions tried to avoid our proximity during our meetings. We were probably the loudest and most fun group in the building. Most years, the division meetings were all held at the same time and in various parts of the same large room. The Creativity Division could clear out the entire room when we met. While many probably thought we were just goof offs, we were one of the most productive divisions in the association. Our spontaneous eruptions usually led to a new idea that proved beneficial.

Lately, I’ve seemed to be in need of some of the Division’s spontaneity. At this point in December, I’m feeling a bit spent and my productivity has waned. It’s obvious to me that creativity and productivity are inextricably linked for me. If I’m not producing, I’m not problem solving and therefore am not being creative.

Yesterday, I got a little help with this problem from a friend . . . my mother. When I arrived at the nursing home to visit her, she informed me that it was about time I got there. She had on one earring and was trying to get the other stud on. I couldn’t help but wonder how long she had been at it. We laughed when she was finally “fixed”.

Then I asked her what she wanted for Christmas. Without missing a beat she said, “my TWO FRONT TEETH” and flashed me a big toothless grin. Indeed, her two front teeth are missing and she does need a couple! Again, we laughed and laughed. I think it was her spontaneity as well as her answer that got me. We went shopping together and then grabbed some lunch, but I just kept thinking about her Christmas wish.

This little episode reminded me of last year when we asked her where she was when she and my father got married. Again, without missing a beat, she said, “Out of My MIND!” The woman, who will be 91 in January, is quite clever.

When I got home yesterday, I continued to chuckle and decided to try a bit or jewelry work. That’s when things began to flow nicely and the ideas became present again. Was it just time to design or did the laughter really help. I vote that it was the latter.

I mainly worked with cabochons yesterday, but was pleased with a couple of the new wrappings and the bezel I created.  The first stone is a boulder opal and all the rest are turquoise (yes, even the brown one). See what you think.

I’m hoping to hang on to this productive thinking and continue to get some good work completed. I’m a believer that for me, at least, laughter leads to productivity and creative thinking.

I guess that the moral of this entry is . . . find something to laugh about and if you can’t find anything, go visit my mother!

Creativity, Diversions, family, Metal Work, Philosophy, soldering, Torch Work, Wire Work 2 comments

Gifting

Filed under: Earrings, Metal Work | Back to: Homepage

I’ve been busily adding inventory to my etsy shop this week. I don’t usually have much in this since I mainly sell to boutiques, but I’m currently at the end of that season, finished with all the shows and thought I would do a bit more with etsy. You can see the listings at the side of this site.

I’ve had a couple of neat challenges this week from people who saw my work at a local San Marcos, TX gift store, Paper Bear. One person requested some earrings similar to a pendant in my display at the store. These were a challenge, but I enjoyed trying to make her idea come to life.

It’s hard to get a sense of them from the photo, but they are copper ovals that have copper stars soldered to them. I set small denim lapis stones in a premade bezel in the middle of the star. There are small silver balls at the side of each star. The challenge, as always, was trying to get the earrings to match. I hope the person likes these.

Another person asked me to wrap some rocks from her family vacation. I thought that was a really neat gift idea and hope her family members will appreciate her idea. I’m not showing those since I don’t want to spoil any surprises.

I think it is interesting to brainstorm with customers regarding what they want made. Often, they can’t quite put into words what they want, but a wave of the hand and a few drawings often brings their ideas to light. The fun part is seeing the pleasure when their own ideas comes to fruition. I’m sure they will have a story to tell when the gift is presented.

Gifting . . . isn’t it fun?

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