the feathery birdgirl is dancing with Degas

I kind of got lost this long lazy afternoon stringing a few sandalwood necklaces for friends in my garden under the apple tree.  Well, it really began on a walk with my journal tucked under my arm earlier foraging for inspiration, which is filled with sketches and notes and bugs wings  and bits of eggshell and the tiniest sticks and bones and...goodness knows what else. Oh yes, bits of smashed mushroom as well and that made quite a mess and of course I don't mind at all because this is exactly what sketchbook journals are for.  

Anyway, it's funny how you can really feel color, especially when you touch things.  And when I caressed the delicate white spine of the little branch you see above, my eye suddenly harvested light and I was struck instantly with the mood I wanted to imbue in my necklace in one brilliant synaptic flash. 

And then.

My neighbors to the right of my house (on the side of the magnificent blue spruce tree) have these magical chimes hanging by the sweet old leaning fence. They flirt with the wind in these particularly beautiful ting ting harmonics that make my eyes crinkle in delight every time I hear the swaying tones and timbres.  Perfectly uplifting!

This musical symphony  made me feel warm with earth and yet untethered like sky and informed another element to the simple necklaces I designed with Indian sandalwood (oh my gosh the intoxicating SCENT of those beads!!!) and turquoise.  Turquoise is brilliant and reminds me of a line from a book I read last year...

'the turquoise I wore in the mountains?  I wore it because I thought I was brave or in love or going to Arabia.  The turquoise I  carry into the canyons of home weighs little more than the fear of tigers.  Against the burnt stone and wind-rippled sand dunes, the oxblood-red walls of the Entrada formation with their Tyrian purple shadows, turquoise is a jolt.  It is irrefutable proof of the proximity of heart to beauty.'

the feathery birdgirl is dancing with Degas

turquoise flight

the spasm of petals!

sandalwood fingering faith and harmony 

jade river stone for flow 

windchime vibrations 

which open in the sun

aspiring

It's crazy amazing because when I tried on this particular necklace  I felt so grounded and yet in the same exhalation, ready for feathery flight.  And where the beads meet at  the back of the neck is a tiny crystal and carnelian whispering sweet mysteries into my ear under an imaginary juniper tree like a pair of lovedoves.  (I swear this is true even if you don't believe me.)

I can't wait to wrap this beauty up and wing it along with the perfect friend I have in mind for it.

I am now working on another necklace with sandawood and jewel toned crystals I brought back from India for another friend. This one is a sensual mix of lovers and pale violet rain and a gold crescendo of dusky stars (with scarlet cheeks) wearing high heels whilst climbing garden walls. Sincerely wonderful. I am feeling so playful with my beads.  I can't show that one  here yet however because my friend might read my post and have her surprise ruined. 


:) Can't have that.

Well! It is quite late and I am off to walk my dog and 'set my teeth in the silver of the moon.'  (ee cummings)

oh and here is a little ode to creativity I penned for etsy...

love,

Maddie