Talisman

Nature has been generous with me this week. 
On Tuesday there was the beach agate, 
Wednesday the oyster, 
Thursday the elk antler, 
Friday the feathers. 

I've collected these gifts, given my thanks, and carried them close, in pockets and palms. I like to think that these gifts are not random findings, but small offerings of great love and beautiful opportunities to connect with all that moves us. Those feathers from Friday? I knew they were not just meant for me. They were meant for you, and so I made a pot of tea, turned the stereo up, and wove some magic for the wearing.

That said, I've been feeling a bit wild and gypsyish lately.  These two are a little bit bohemian, a lotta bit earthy, and with just the right bit of sparkle.  I've given them super duper long chains for swinging low or double wrapped against the heart.  Here Here to the first fruits of the New Year!

(you can find both beauties in the shop!)

A New Year Story

The dawn of the new year found us sipping cheap black coffee in a greasy spoon diner just south of the Canadian border.  My seat cushion may have had a broken spring but the eggs were hot and the muffins sweet.  With a poorly hidden grin I watched the elderly couple next to us gently bicker about bringing home the lingonberry butter (she won, it went) and then tenderly cheers each other a Happy New Year.

I turned to BC.  "I think we need a word of the year, just one concise word to hold as our mantra."  We sat in silence, mulling over this.  I stared out the windows at the cover-cropped fields, flipping rapidly though words: hope, joy, intention, inspiration, gratitude, gumption, generosity.  Hhmph.  Generosity.  A flock of tiny songbirds wheeled tightly over the parking lot.  If you wish to receive you must give, give freely and with an open heart.  You must give not with the intent to get, but with the intent to elevate the love in this world.  Generosity.  To act out of generosity as the polar opposite of acting out of scarcity.  I warmed my hands on my mug.

BC sipped his coffee and broke the silence.

"What about generosity?"

And so the word of 2013 was born.

* * *

I hope all your Holidays, Christmas, and New Years have been bright!  I'm taking just a few more days of vacation before returning full time to the studio.  BE WELL my friends, I've thought so much about you over this holiday!  I'll see you soon!

 ~ Umber ~

Solstice Dance

I wish you a joyous Solstice!  May the long night wrap you in her gentle arms, may you release one notion that no longer serves you, and may the sun rise tomorrow and welcome you back.

For The Trees Who Sing

Druidess Necklaces

(sterling silver and prehnite)

Druidess Earrings

(sterling silver and [in order of appearance] aquamarine, lapis lazuli, turquoise)

For the Trees who Sing,

For touch of ragged bark,

For the shelter of canopy,

For the whisper of leaves,

For the rustle of seasons,

And most importantly,

Those who stride out through it all.

(you can find the whole collection in the shop right now!)

Snow Day

We awoke to snow and instantly I am five.  Peeking through the blinds, clapping and squealing, shivering in my underwear because I'm too excited to pull on pants.  Bundling up: double cowl, fleece leggings, slouchy green hat, one very wet snowball that finds the center of BC's chest, soaking through.  The pups have never seen snow.  It is a marvel, soft and crunchy all at once, perfect for running tail tucked down, ass on fire, as fast as possible around the trees, up the bank, over the retaining wall, yipping the whole way.
Coffee (creamy).
Eggs (poached).
New sweater, clean leggings.
Speakers turned all the way up.
Candles lighted.
Sage burning sweetly.
Blue lace agate in a pocket (for peace I am told, for inspiration).
Sculpting twigs in sterling, one, two, five, nine, twelve.  Pushing metal, tapping knees, the UPS man laughing at my [perfectly on key] singing through the open windows.  Prehnite, turquoise, lapis, the rain drums along the roofline and my precious snow gives way to puddles, blackened moss and sneaking crows.

Send me your snow friends, mine seems to be melting already and I'm not ready for it to leave.