If You Don't Know Me By Now

Then that would be my fault, wouldn't it.

I just took the picture above. I wanted to take a photo of my hands, but as I set up the camera I realized I was too close - it wouldn't work. Then I saw the reflection of my hands as they showed up on the lid of my laptop. It came to me that this couldn't be more appropriate. I am reflecting on my hands right now. After I took the picture and opened it to crop it, I saw I'd managed to get one of those happy accidents on film. It looks like stardust snuck in the frame along with the almost zen-like design on the laptop lid of waves. Sense of motion. Sense of magic.

I'm coming up on my first anniversary of blogging and I've looked back over my entries to see how I'm doing. Am I true to my original intention, have I wandered too far afield, and if so - is it really a bad thing?

What was my mandate? To create my own place in cyberspace where I would share the work of my heart, sight and hands, without self-censure. To show what works for me as well as what doesn't.


This is a part of my current pile of things unfinished or in need of repair or redesign.


This is my pile of "what was I thinking???" that is waiting to be salvaged.

I write an artisan blog. Through art we share something deeper than opinion or attitude, the minutiae of the mundane or the trivial wars we wage against imagined enemies - we share our individual, unique visions that come from a deep communal wellspring of creation.

Another Country. I gave this name to my studio when I started doing bead art in earnest. It's the home I have made for myself in a world where I have never felt at home. All of us have experienced a sense of alienation, of not belonging, at some point in our lives. I have felt this always. I loved being on the move, to the point of being an addict to change, always searching for that home outside of myself. I love being here, now, but as always I never feel a sense of belonging to the physical place where I am.

When I am deep in the creation of an art piece, whether it's jewelry or an art doll or a bead journal page, then I feel at home. Home is within, not without.

Conclusion? I've done what I know, and done it the best way I know how. I like this blogging thing. I like my blog. It could use a little more poetry, but otherwise I'm happy with how things are going.

I've had my moments of intense frustration, but I've also had my share of being uplifted. With the kind permission of the author of this, I'd like to share a note I received at Etsy just the other day:

"Hello Morwyn,
I wanted to let you know that the Crazy Quilt bracelet and Goddess
pin/pendant arrived yesterday...I am blown away!!! Although your
photography is excellent, there is just nothing like the "real thing"...and
these two pieces are beyond my ability to describe...nothing less than
extraordinary and gorgeous and amazing!!! I love the jasper pieces,
too...jasper is such a gentle, soothing stone...and the agate piece is very
powerful...the pin/pendant is so full of energy and magic!!! I've done
enough stitching, beading, and jewelry-making in my life to comprehend
what a huge gift you have, what an incredible talent...you are indeed a
blessed artist!!! I will wear these pieces with honor and true
appreciation for their preciousness...I am indeed privileged!!! You have a
huge fan and customer in me...I will be back to your shop for more of
your gorgeous work in the future!!!

Many thanks and blessings,
Cynthia"

When someone really understands your work and appreciates it, there's no way to describe that feeling of vindication, of acceptance, of joy.

Now, about that December page. Here's the embryonic stage.



I can't wait to see how this one turns out!