Balance

Sometimes life becomes almost effortless, ebbing and flowing like the ocean's tide with seemingly no conscious effort. A piece of jewelry feels like it almost makes itself, and when done is even better than originally imagined. The sun is warm, the hummingbirds are fighting outside my studio window, my bichon is asleep at my feet, there is a little Tori Amos playing in the background and I revel in the joy of this life. In one instant you hear the news that a good friend has just passed away...described appropriately by his mother as a friend of friends, and the balance shifts, breaking the flow. How do you maintain the balance when life so frequently spins out of control? When someone you have known for years and have been through dark and turbulent times together to pursue and share in the joy of truest love found,and now has just lost her true love?

Her true love, this friend of friends taught us who were watching, many lessons through the living of his life. I know he would want these lessons to be his legacy. It really is all about balance. Living life to its fullest by fully experiencing each and every moment. Work hard....play just as hard. Don't miss an opportunity to pick up the phone and connect with a friend....or walk across the hall to connect with a co-worker for just a moment. We used to work together, and no one was busier, and yet in the midst of the twenty things he was juggling at any given moment, he would come into my office, slap me on the back and plop into a vacant chair and say, "Tell me what's new today deaah."..(he loved the Maine accent!) He would always find a way to get to the important information in a heartbeat and then be up and off to show some property or play a quick game of racquetball.

So I am off today to rediscover my balance. To get back into that zone of a gentle and effortless rhythm to accomplish all that needs to be done, to make that necessary income while at the same time, having some time to create. To have time to love, and enjoy those I love so much, to cherish the companionship of my animals, to take a moment to pull a few weeds in the garden, check on the growth of the tadpoles in the pond, get lost in a little music, write or talk to a few friends, and just be. My life is not all about the accomplishments anymore. Say a prayer of thanks that I grew away from that years ago and thankfully while I still had one child at home. And say a prayer of thanks for knowing you, Wayne. Be well.

Maya Brenner's New Book

Available Here Through Amazon.com




Beaded Jewelry By Maya Brenner:
This book is full of great designs and great tips. The photography is wonderful, and overall, inspirational. Maya is a great designer whose work can be found in over 80 stores nationwide. I came to be aware of Maya through Luxe Jewelry, where you can find several of her exclusive designs in a kit format. I am very pleased to have Maya's book be the first jewelry book that I am featuring here.

Crystal and Chrysocolla Necklace

I just can't get enough of the beauty of Chrysocolla. Thanks once again to Sybella Designs for providing the chrysocolla pieces. (http://www.sybelladesigns.etsy.com) Light and airy gold filled oval chain is wire wrapped with 6 mm teal swarovski crystals and daisy spacers, interspersed with wire wrapped 6 mm round chrysocolla beads. The pendant drop is wire wrapped with the chrysocolla disk and a faceted rectangle of chrysocolla. This 18" necklace features a single drop at the lobster claw closure of a teal swarovski crystal. One of the nice features of an oval chain is the ability to change the length of the necklace to suit a change in necklines. This great color combination will take you right into your fall wardobe. This item features free shipping!

This necklace can be purchased at http://www.sachacottagestudio.etsy.com

Wooden It Be Lovely

A great combination of mixed elements. Wood, copper, yellow jade, and teal faceted quartz. Surprisingly light and oh, so summery. Here is what you get....rosewood dice beads that are 15x15x20mm, 6mm round yellow jade beads, 8x10mm teal faceted quartz beads, copper 24 gauge wire, copper jump rings and a lovely copper heart closure. This necklace measures 18" in length.

This necklace can be purchased at www.sachacottagestudio.etsy.com