Sometimes the smallest thing can bring joy,
the first yellow leaf, a handmade bead,
a weathered piece of fabric.
Gifts from a dear friend or simply a gift from nature.
Fabric draped over a dresser.
The green silk skarf is a creation of lovely Shari's.
I purchaced it at an Art in the Garden show
in Ashland this summer. She handpaints beautifully
on silk.
A tiny work of art, a tree flag,
hand stitched and a gift from sweet Lynne.
A necklace made and wrapped for me
as an example by Cathy Dorris.
My desk, with the last hollyhocks outside
the window. It needs to be tidied.
But sometimes I love messiness too.
A necklace made by Leighanna Light.
I was lucky to meet her at Cathy's sutdio
and bought it from her this summer.
Lighting on random objects brings me joy.
Taking a closer look at the natural and man made.
The beauty of handpainted paper
and a rock wrapped with twine.
A gift from a dear artist and poet, Neva.
Another treasure sits on my desk.
This tiny book was created by Leslie Marsh
that I purchased. I will fill it this winter
with garden memories.
Such beautiful craftmanship. Can you see
her signature?
My shelves hold treasures too.
Do you recognize the hand by Seth Apter
from his Making Waves series?
I purchased Spec from his Etsy Store.
I love that it is so heavy in it's smallness.
And lastly, making this doll has brought me joy,
from twisting the base out of woven wire,
to molding the torso and head around foil
and then paper clay,
to the stamping and staining of different paints,
making her dress,
molding her hands and the red bird
and finally painting her face.
Her name is Juliet of the Trees.
She tried posing in the garden, but needed
a little more paint.
She liked the old bottles...
And then the coffee table.
Still her face kept changing.
Especially her mouth.
back in the studio... she was getting tired, and so was I.
And out into the living room again.
She is Juliet of the Trees.
If she stands still enough
she pretends that she is one, a maple perhaps.
Tall and proud.
The red bird never leaves her side.
Protecting her heart.
And the white shield protects her dreams.
She is old and wise. And new and strong.
And she has found a home.