Words to Live By....

This quote sits right in front of my computer in my office. Every time I hesitate to do something out of fear that I will fail, I think of this quote.

Recently, this quote applied to me because I am submitting samples for a catalog. I have never done this before, and have no idea what to expect.

There have been times I've looked through the catalog and thought to myself, "Why am I doing this? The work in here is so cool?!"

Then the confident part of me, the newest and most vulnerable and most tender part of me says, "WHY NOT?!!!!"

So here I go, jumping into the fire feet first. If my work is accepted, I will jump for joy. If it doesnt get accepted, I will still jump for joy because I didn't listen to the fearful old lady voice inside my head....

Inspiration.....

"Where flowers bloom so does hope."
--Lady Bird Johnson

Behind my house there is a vast network of hiking trails and open space that winds through the Colorado foothills.

I try to go back there at least once a week, provided that the trail is navigable after all of our spring rain.

With so much rain, our wildflowers have come early.

The green fields are alive with lush color and beautiful blooms that range from lemon yellows to vibrant orange to cheerful purples and reds.

It is these colors that make me want to immediately go into the studio, refreshed and alive in nature's gift! It is this beautiful landscape of fragility and fire that inspire me to let go and transform myself.

In the past, I've underestimated the way in which a walk in the woods takes all of my burdens and lightens my load.

I leave my little bundles of worry and fear along the trail, picking up instead the hope of tomorrow. I leave behind, like some kind of unspoken sacrifice, the anxiety and personal struggle and instead allow myself to become awash in optimism and awe at the miracle of life.

Flowers remind me of the delicacy of life and of the strength of spirit.

Despite rain and toil, bad weather or good, year after year they still find a place in the ground and emerge and thrive. This takes a great deal of determination in some years!

Lately things have just been really difficult for me. Like a flower, I am struggling to find my place amidst a great deal of change and challenge.

I am trying to allow love to come in and shine on me, and help me grow!

But while this struggle is so difficult and harrowing at times, I know that like these blooms that emerge from rocky, unhospitable ground every year, I too will emerge with more vibrant color and beauty.

I will return to arid ground and make it fertile. I will put down new roots, lift my head to the sun and whisper to the sky, "let me grow."

Yart Sale in Full Swing!

Sellers on Etsy like me have begun a week of fun with the second annual Yart Sale.

Yart sale? What exactly is a “Yart Sale,” you may ask?

The term Yart is an artistic spin on the traditional yard sale: Art + Yard Sale = Yart!

To celebrate, I've created a special section on my Etsy site where final clearance items are waiting for that special buyer who wants beautiful, handcrafted works of art AND a deal!

Yart starts today, June 10th and runs through Sunday, June 14th!

So log on and get your deals. You will miss out if you don't!

Summer Sale!

"In summer, the song sings itself." --William Carlos Williams

Summer has not come all at once in Colorado this year, but you can feel its presence with the subtle changes it marks across the landscape.

I for one am in love with summer.

I cherish each hot day and the things that it brings: homemade iced tea on the porch; tank tops and bare feet; hiking on the trails behind our house that are live with wildflowers.

I am inspired this time of year, and as a result, Original Hardware's virtual shelves are stocked full of new designs inspired by nature!

To celebrate, I'm offering 15% off all designs (including final sale items!) through June 21. Just enter the promo code Summer at checkout and you too can celebrate the season!

Thank you for your business and support of Original Hardware!

Summer Berries!

When I was a kid, we'd pick strawberries and raspberries in our garden until our lips blushed purple.

The sugary red juice would drip off our fingers and chins, and we'd grin with red-stained teeth and run around barefoot on the grass.

When I feel the early summer sun on my face and the gentle wind blowing, I fondly remember these days of youth!

As an ode to all things summer, I've created a few new pieces that just put me in a cheerful mood. I hope they make you happy, too!

I'm an etching fool....

"Go Confidently in the Direction of your Dreams! Life the life you've imagined."

--Thoreau

Yaaawwwnnn. I didn't get much sleep last night because I was babysitting two batches of etched pendants that I am truly excited about!

It was worth staying up virtually all night, with safety goggles on and rubber gloves to babysit the etching process.

The pendants will soon be converted into earrings, bracelets, rings and necklaces-- I hope ya'll can keep your pants on until then! When I'm in creative mode, it is hard for me to stop and concentrate on anything else, but I know that I must. Some family is coming into town this weekend, so I need to clear my orders out and get things organized for a getaway to the mountains and other lounging. It will be a welcome shift for just a little while....

The collection that just got out of the etching bath will be loosely titled "Indian Summer" because all of the patterns in the pieces are inspired by Indian culture. Lots of really neat patterns that you won't be able to find anywhere else.

Anyway, until then, I thought I'd post some pics of some of the other etched pieces I just posted to my Web site, http://www.originalhardware.com/.

All of the designs featured in this post offer direct links to their product detail pages, so Happy Shopping!

Summer is Coming!

I recently got a package from India that contained the most wonderful stones.

Each one reminds me of some aspect of summer, whether it be the color of a sun-ripened raspberry still on the bush or the various hues of blue that fade into each other as the sun sets over the Colorado foothills.

In short, I LOVE SUMMER!!!!!

I was busy this past weekend finishing up some new ring sets that showcase these lovely stones, in various sizes and colors of Topaz along with pink garnet and white topaz, too.

There is not enough time in the day to put these beautiful stones to good use, but here's a taste of what I have done so far....