Ever have a moment of drought in your creativity? A moment when no matter what you try to create falls flat? I admit to having plenty of those moments lately, and they usually happen when I stop listening to my muse and try to force a creative idea.
On a walk in the woods near my home last week I happened on some beautiful pieces of "live wood" from a fallen pine, and popped them into my backpack along with an assorted sundry of treasure the forest offered up. Giving thanks for the gifts, I practically skipped home with excitement from the vibes I felt from my visit.
Once home, I did a thorough baking to sanitize the pine then laid them out on my coffee table and sketched out a few ideas... dryads sometimes place gifts of their special wood alongside the pathways of individuals who love trees, Nature and Mother Earth, and who are aware enough to perceive this special gift. They clone themselves into these pieces of wood with the intention to help us while at the same time to acquire the means to see the world without being rooted to the ground. I decided to honor the spirit of the tree by sculpting an interpretation of a dryad "emerging" from the wood. Dryads are neutral and do not respond to he or she, but I felt that this particular spirit was feminine and sculpted her as such. I do not think she will mind, lol. It's a work in progress and will post pictures as she nears completion. I am thinking that this will make a lovely wall hanging piece, what do you think?
*Note*- The first two pictures are before the polymer clay was cured, and the addition of a left hand. The bottom two are with the first "wash" of color.
With the Holidays fast approaching I thought I'd pop in and post my Etsy shop special coming up for the Holidays. I will be doing a 20% off any item in my shiop and free shipping in the USA. I will do reduced shipping to overseas. All items will be sent gift boxed w/ribbons.
So for any of you who would like a custom designed piece in time for Christmas I can guarantee shipping in the USA till December 15th and overseas December 11th First Class Mail.
CUSTOM DESIGN UPON REQUEST, PLEASE CONVO ME! I have a large assortment of leaves that can be transformed into a pendant, necklace, ornament, wall hanging, earrings, whatever you're imagination can conjure- I can create a beautiful Nature Spirit piece for you or a loved one. CUSTOM DESIGN can also include pictures of a loved one to be used in my leaf designs. Work with me in creating a lovely piece of Nature inspired art with a dash of fantasy.
Saturday, November 22, 2008, 11:41 AM EST [General]
The Holly Tree- symbol of the life force, vitality and immortality. It is considered a lucky tree to grow in the garden because it wards off negative energies. In winter druids would advise people to take holly into their homes, as they believed it would shelter the elves and fairies who could join humans at this time without causing them injury.
Holly was also believed to protect against lightning and was often planted near the house. It has been proved that the spikes of the holly leaves act like miniature lightning conductors, and so protect the tree.
This lovely Holly leaf & Coral berry necklace was created from imprinting holly leaves from my yard onto Kato clay. Bright red coral berries strung with sterling silver wire dangle jauntily from the leaves.
I took the imprint of the Silver Maple from my walk on Sunday and tried some alcohol inks on it to see how it'd come out. I used Kato translucent clay, painted a face on the leaf and after it was sealed applied the inks. The result is a bit edgy I think.
We had really bad weather here today, so the pics I took outdoors are a bit off but I'm pleased with this one. It's totally different than my other pieces and has a mystic quality to it.
My next piece was my first attempt at creating a bracelet. It's 8" hammered copper eyelet links. Czech beads accent the jump rings as well as hand tinted leaves of different types. I wanted something delicate that also carried the theme of nature and could easily go along with the necklaces.
After the worst of the storm went by (I admit to being a bit of a wuss when it lightenings) I went out into my back yard and danced with my 6 year old niece in the rain to celebrate Fairy Day. We got muddy, sopping wet, and had a ball. I live near "old" woods so after the rains tapered off the smell of the forest and the earth is quite strong, and so beautiful. It was rejuvenating and inspiring.
HAPPY FAIRY DAY TO ALL OF YOU WONDERFUL EF FOLK!!!
Ever have a moment of drought in your creativity? A moment when no matter what you try to create falls flat? I admit to having plenty of those moments lately, and they usually happen when I stop listening to my muse and try to force a creative idea.
Once home, I did a thorough baking to sanitize the pine then laid them out on my coffee table and sketched out a few ideas... dryads sometimes place gifts of their special wood alongside the pathways of individuals who love trees, Nature and Mother Earth, and who are aware enough to perceive this special gift. They clone themselves into these pieces of wood with the intention to help us while at the same time to acquire the means to see the world without being rooted to the ground.
