Studious

School has officially opened in our area. The little munchkins are ensconced in their classrooms, tucked in with their books and their pencils, hopefully gleaning a spot of education from time to time. The best part- Mom has a smidgen of time to herself to catch up on housework (ha ha), to quietly curl up with a book or a blanket (even better),or to create a work of art (or two). My child asked me one day last year, "Mom, what do you do while I'm in school all day?". I enumerated a list of my activities for that day and the swift response from the kid was, "Is that all you could manage to accomplish for the seven whole hours I was gone?". I formed a frown between my eyes, pursed my lips, took a breath and started to defend myself. But then I thought, "So what? So what if I only get a few things done? Or nothing?". Life is not always about what you produce. Sometimes the best thing is to just play hooky from the laundry and go to the early morning flick at the theater (the best time EVER). Just don't confess it to anyone when you do. And, in my case, it's always a good idea to destroy the evidence (throw away the movie stub) before the kid discovers it.

The vintage postcard featured in this post is 99 years old (!). Obviously, the theme of the card is school. However, I am deeply perplexed as to what the message actually means on this card. Who, exactly, is Ophelia? And why is she sticking her tongue out and acting loopy? Who is the odd looking fellow behind her? A stalker? A friend? What does "They'll never get ripe if you pick 'em" really mean in this context? One possible explanation: if you drop out of school, you'll never have a complete education. You'll wind up wandering the streets, looking vaguely like Ophelia there. I don't know. Anybody else have any theories out there? Share your views. At any rate, it is a charming, if somewhat strange little card. Just wanted to share since it's 'Back to School' time!

I have been putting some new items in my stores lately, Now that school is open, more things will be stocked every couple of days. Every item is unique- I don't make duplicates as a general rule. So if you see something you like, snap it up! That's what I do, perhaps more often than I should. I never learn.

"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows."- Sydney J. Harris

"I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework."- Lily Tomlin as 'Edith Ann'

"Education is not filling a pail but the lighting of a fire."- William Butler Yeats

Equilibrium

What is "equilibrium"? It has been defined as "a state in which opposing forces are balanced", "the state of being physically balanced", "a calm state of mind". Sounds like a desirable quality in any definition. I often think about this quality in my bead and jewelry designs. I strive to achieve a balance in any design I create. For a long time I thought this meant I needed a perfectly symmetrical design. I worked hard to achieve symmetry at all costs. Then one day a favorite client asked me to create a purposely asymmetrical piece for her. This was a new concept for me. I felt confident I could do it. I just needed to alter how I view balance. I began to see that sometimes symmetry can be oddly disturbing. Many of the designs I make now are what one would describe as asymmetrical. I call these pieces "symmetrically asymmetrical", visually dissonant, yet somehow harmonious.

Actually, this dissonance, this off-kilter way of design has taught me a number of valuable lessons. I find that the principles I apply to my designs also have a practical application to my daily life. In my earlier years, everything for me had to be PERFECT- not a hair out of place, not a speck of dust to be seen, all in utter control. As I matured, and especially after becoming a mother, I realized that I needed to lighten up, relax my rigid standards, take a deep breath and just BE. I think motherhood especially taught me to have more flexibility. You just can't be fretting over every little toy you stumble over or you will drive yourself mad (not to mention, the rest of your beloved family). I still attempt to have a measure of control over my little world- keep the clutter somewhat at bay, keep the house fairly presentable. But who am I kidding? Life is a jumble of unexpected events, as unpredictable as the weather. We may be able to have a general plan for how we want things done, but we need to be flexible enough to complete those plans in more than one way. In jewelry, as in life, sometimes things don't go as you planned. You lose some beads, you drop your work-in-progress: frustrations happen. But when they do, cry if you need to, then gather up your pieces and begin again. Your next plan may be even better than your original intent!

"The bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you refuse to take the turn."- Anonymous

"Better to bend than break."- French proverb