nascent

mary jane dodd

january 1, 2010 - that was my word of the year... it has taken almost 18 months of gestation... but i am in the birthing canal - it is dark and scary... but at the end is light and life... i know this as surely as the seasons change, the tides ebb and flow... 

chapters end, doors open... doors close, new chapters are written... 

and in this transition, there has been no time to work - to do what feeds me... what if the muse decides she likes the vacation and never returns? but she will... when i am open and breathing new life - the space will envelope her as it never has before... 

for now, while i work at the other aspects of moving, i carefully set up my future work place... 

slowly it evolves... my dearly adored tools awaiting me patiently... offering me hope and a promise of something wonderful... 

the shelves filling... 

when i tire of working in other rooms, i just come downstairs to look... in that transitional place, of living in one place and moving into another... the transference of leaving one life behind and moving into another... there is a palpable tension in this moment... but it is just for now... 

childhood memories abound here - and i hope i get a chance to do the artspark justice this month... 

'your life shrinks or expands in direct proportion to your courage.'

one step at a time and lots of deep breaths can take you far... 

Inside the Beadworks

by D'Arsie Manzella

Usually when I invite someone into my studio my heart rate goes up and I start chattering on like a wild raving metal enthusiast explaining the workings of my machinery, the mold making process and even the composition of my metal alloy.

This will happen no matter the guest's vocation or interest. I just can't contain myself. I will inevitably treat their visit as a college course they are not sure they signed up for. My friend will nod, smile and even exclaim "Oh!" or "Wow!" no doubt thinking that they have stumbled into the wrong classroom. The one with the crazy little animated professor.

But my blog reading friends, I will spare you the lecture, I will remain calm and try not to hop around with excitement while giving you a small peek into my beadworks.

This is my workstation.
You see my molds stacked to the right,
my sweet sisters on the left
and the pile of work before me right now!
The Count helps me keep track of inventory.

Working here on a large order for Chautauqua Institution.
These are Bell Towers and Hall of Philosophy Pendants.
I grew up in this place and am so
honored to be able to do this project.

Inventory awaiting the grinding and the tumbling.


And me, myself in my super hot safety goggles.
Hey, safety is sexy.

I hope you're having a wonderful and
productive day in your own sacred studio space!