Let the sun shine in the sun shine in

I am glad for the new year to be here.
Last year was one of terrific changes- launching a daughter out of college into a career in a different city, watching a child leave plebe year behind and mature into a young officer, a son return from war, a beloved pet diagnosed with cancer and a father-in-law die. Not all of these changes brought joy but the one constant of life is that change is always happening. I can be at peace with it or I can at times give into grief.
I have found myself needing to do more art. To be creative to make beautiful things to make my life filled with more joy. To use my art to give back to friends and family that support me.

I am so looking forward to our next trip. We are meeting our son, his girlfriend and her parents in Hawaii. Not on Oahu where I lived but on the Big Island. That was the only other island I visited while living there from '69-'72. It was beautiful less populated more open it felt closer to nature.

So here I sat house bound by the big storm of the season-snow piled up outside. Yet I was in a Hawaii State of Mind, I found myself reaching for sea glass, pearls, shells- bright colors that remind me of the sky, ocean and the beautiful orchids I remember.

The first one is a long starfish dangles with shells, pearls and seaglass and ceramic beads which evoke shell broken sand.

The second necklace is a sterling silver turquoise peace with faceted stones, silver buddha's accented with hand made glass beads from the Corning Glass Museum. Luckily I live one town over from a major museum with art studios and an international community of glass artists.

The third piece is a large focal starfish with a starfish clasp and chain nautilus accented with silver-tone disks and shells, more fantastic handmade Corning glass beads and milk-glass beads. It turned out adorable and in fact I ended up dressing for the day so I can wear it out wine-tasting on Seneca Lake. 

The last piece is a carved Jewish star Moonstone sterling silver pendant done with lilac sea glass, pearls and the composite sea&sand beads. I have had this pendant for years but since making my own jewelry it languished on a silver chain in a drawer never seeing the light of day or my neck for that matter. Now I have it made it mine and it will be enjoyed again.