03.23.20 March Madness 2020

Photo credit: Washington Post

I usually write my blog posts a couple of weeks before I actually put them up...that gives me time to try to be thoughtful, edit, and avoid putting up something that feels - and reads - like it was rushed.

When I first started this post - before all hell broke loose mid-month - I was going to write about participating in #MarchMeetTheMaker on Instagram.  I still want to give British designer Joanne Hawker, a shout out.

Photo credit: Joanne Hawker

She started the hashtag - and the challenge - with the goal of getting makers share things about themselves - and learn about others - through a month long series of prompts and posts.

Participating has been a great distraction - and a way for me to think about what I want to do differently, and better - when I return to the studio.

For now, though, like pretty much everyone else I know, I am going to #stayhome.  Except for those folks who are now in their 80s and 90s (and at extreme risk if they contract Covid-19) who lived through the Great Depression or World War II, none of us have ever experienced anything quite like this.

It's scary and it's stressful...and we really don't know how long it's going to go on.  I've also been reminded of how many things I take for granted...

Being able to go to the grocery store...

here in Texas we have fabulous home grown grocer in HEB. They had been preparing for the possibility that folks would be told to stock up on non-perishable items, but even the laid plans were no match for the panic buying that took place last week.   To their great credit, not only did HEB get things mostly back on the shelves and under control in a matter of days, they continue to be at the forefront of supporting communities in Texas in times of distress.

Being able to spend time with other people...

thank goodness for modern technology and social media.  My husband is able to work from home, we are able to stay in touch with our friends and family, and although it is somewhat isolating, it would be so much worse if we could not communicate.

Being able to travel freely...

we were just starting to plan our summer vacation as the directives to close business and work from home began.  I am still hopeful that we will be able to get together with all our kids for a week this summer, but for now - all that is on hold.

Being able to pay bills...

we are so fortunate.  No one in our immediate family works in a job in the retail or service industry that has been shut down by this pandemic.  But we have many, many friends who have scaled back their businesses, or had to close them completely for the time being.  We are doing what we can to be supportive - but this is bigger than anyone can handle on their own.

I can't tell you yet whether or not I'll continue to post every two weeks...it honestly depends on how I'm feeling and if I think I have anything useful to say.

I am confident this won't go on indefinitely - but it could certainly be a while.  As communities around the world work through this - together - I am grateful for the support of each person who reads my blog.

Until next time - be well.

03.09.20 Tourist for a Day

This is the photo in my blog banner.  It is a collection of zircons from the Hall of Gems at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

I took it in the summer of 2013 (before I ever thought seriously about taking jewelry making classes) on a family vacation to Washington DC. I grew up in the DC suburbs, our family had a membership to the Smithsonian - and went often - this became my favorite exhibit more than 40 years ago.

In front of Calder's "Obus"

We were back in DC in February - it was a weekend of wall to wall family events - except for a few hours on our first day there...so, we hopped on the Metro and headed out to be tourists!

We started at the National Gallery of Art - also a favorite - especially the contemporary art in the East Wing. Not only did I see Calder's sculptures and mobiles, but there is a new Ellsworth Kelly installation in the foyer.

Ellsworth Kelly at NGA

While my own work tends to be much less abstract - I have always loved the incredible use of vibrant color by both of these artists.  I could (and have) spend hours in the museum's light filled atrium just meditating on the objects around me.

NGA Degas Art Mug

After soaking up some culture, grabbing lunch, and this fabulous new mug (link in the photo caption if you want one too) - we headed over to the Museum of Natural History...because a Smithsonian visit is not complete without a trip through the gems.

I spent a couple of hours meandering through the halls filled with rough and finished stone specimens...but it was different from my previous experiences...this time I was looking at the gems and minerals as a jeweler. 

Cross section of Spectrolite

I could identify things by sight - without first looking at the information labels - and as I walked through, I was thinking about the various pieces I had made using the stones in the glass cases.

It sounds silly, but I was almost giddy when I realized how much more meaningful it felt to come back to this place with new knowledge.



I decided to take photos - a lot of photos - of the various stones I have used in my work, and I created an album on Facebook.  Over time, my plan is to add photos of my jewelry made with these minerals and gems in the comments under the pictures from the museum.

I loved this turquoise grouping (of course I did) - especially the piece showing the bright blue in the matrix, which I use in so many pieces.



I knew when I started taking classes at Creative Side that I would learn new things, but I continue to be surprised at how much knowledge I've acquired - about myself, the creative process, and the world around me - beyond what I expected.

Thanks as always for joining me on the journey.

Until next time.