Conversations about my favorite beads and lampwork bead makers, jewelry artists, indie and documentary films, gardening, food, Isaac Newton, Pinterest, and The Desire Map, all part of my continuing journey to become a better bead artist and super human being.
Yes this is a title of a great documentary; it is also a
great discussion in my real life yesterday…and all days.
The documentary describes a film about several peoples’
experience of finding mates on the Internet. It is not, however, your typical story
of miraculous and strange love, nor catfish experiences. It is a great film
about real relationships. People who
find each other by design or accident, and connect on levels that we all have
the ability and fortune to connect on but somehow miss the opportunities as
they are presenting themselves.
TedX: Vienna is doing a series all about connection! "I share therefore I am"
I had a great day yesterday, volunteering as a bar tender at
the Moose. It happened to be the day of several different birthdays that were
celebrated at the lodge. I got to talk with my mom on Skype which I haven’t
been able to do in more than a year, and she got to reconnect with a friend she
met when she last visited me. What were the chances that that friend would be
in town, at the lodge, on that day? The chances were typical if you really,
really stay present to what the Universe brings to the table of “the reason we
are here.” There is no purpose in life more important than connecting with
others, in my opinion.
Lisa Hallow Designs Vintage Remix
One of the birthdays being celebrated came at the end of my
day when just before closing a trio came in. One amazing man who looks 30 years
younger than he is, his birthday girl friend, and their mutual friend Lisa.
Lisa was the connection the Universe presented to me in this moment. A stunning
woman who is “full”…of everything! Wearing a G O R G E O U S black blouse that
reflected her personality, Lisa is textured, smooth, luxurious, and
historically stylish in both look and experience. Lisa has an excellent sense
of business, and love of art and jewelry. She’s been designing jewelry almost
her whole life and we may get together on a local proposal.
Continuing with the theme of connection, have you ever met
someone that you instantly connect with? Last night I got to spend time with
one of my favorite girlfriends. She’s a bar tender but last night we got to sit
together on the customer side. We met 8 years ago when she complimented my
jewelry and it has been love ever since. A new friend I met about a month ago,
I call him “tickleman” because of his deep, vibrating voice, was also at the
club last night…it seems we only go when the other is going (without planning!)
I made some new friends there too, both from the Philippines, one a special ed
teacher of moderate to severe students; I introduced him to my favorite video
on autism by Amanda Baggs. The first part of the video is in her "native" language; then she translates it for us...she's absolutely brilliant....I am humbled.
Last night’s connections may turn out to be significant, and
with some don’t seem like “connections” because they are long standing
friendships. However, the Universe wants us to know that the “new” does not have
to wear off of everything; our perceptions and willingness are the fabric
softeners of life, making anything fresh if we chose. So go out with a renewed
perception and be willing to see the connections that exist in your life and
the new ones you will surely encounter on your intentional journey to connect.
Life cannot be lived without your presence…without your connection.
I've been feeling so stuck in indecision. What do I want to do? How do I want to get it done? What do I really love doing? What do I really need to do? All these questions have one thing deeply in common; they assume that only one choice can be made. Do you get my meaning?
I believe it is important to have faith that what I need will be provided. I believe it is important to have gratitude for what has been provided. But there are things that get in the way of my living life according to those beliefs. I get stuck thinking that all my good blessings are going to go away. I get stuck thinking that if I make the wrong decision, that will be "the end." This is a "scarcity" mind set.
This unhealthy train of thought runs through so many aspects of my life. It runs through the way I make beads; don't use that "special" glass because they don't make it anymore or they won't have it when I need it or I won't be able to afford more if I run out. It runs through the way I look for work; don't apply for this job because if I get it I won't be able to accept the other job I already applied for. I can't think of one instance that this way of thinking has served me positively.
So, I've been working on getting "unstuck". I've made a couple of declarations this week in my attempt to get out of the desert while I'm on stilts. I'm not sure how helpful the declarations will be, but I KNOW that they will not be the last declarations I ever make. And if declarations are the way to get unstuck, and these don't work, then there are others that can be made.
I have faith that I've been given an opportunity in this moment, and I am grateful for it, and I will make a choice to move forward, now, with full confidence in my abilities. I believe in me!
I
desire abundance! I declare that I have enough, and I want more! I have
enough time to do what I want to do. I have enough talent to do what I
want to do. I have enough love to give and receive. I have enough money
to pay the rent on time, and the rest of the bills late. I have enough
sun and water to grow my plants. I have enough bacon to make several
sandwiches. I have chips and a huge jar of pickles to go with said
sandwich. I have enough cd's to create a disc with a fix for that
computer. I have enough drive to do it and enough intelligence and savy
to do it. I want more, and I am vibrating at a frequency that matches
ALL that is in the vortex, waiting for me!!!!
I made new beads today for a custom order, and a couple for fun and to learn a new technique. Click the picture of the beads (below) to be redirected to my NEW WEBSITE, where you will see all the new beads from last week.When you subscribe to my new website you get 15% off your next order of beads!
My garden continues to grow, and soon I will have tomatoes and green beans to eat!
See the zucchini developing!?
My first tomatoe blossom
Green Beans will be ready in 2 inches!
I watched a couple movies this week, and I posted about some of my existential discoveries. Click the links in the pictures below to read all about it!
Isaac is back in school, we've been watching Dr. Who, and I'm back to work, finally, with a great substitute teaching position that will keep me busy through September! (Read about by clicking the pictures)
First, a picture of my beads last week. Only three, but one of them broke; I like the yellow one with purple flowers. The gray/black/coral combo didn't turn out quite the way I wanted; the dark is lighter than I imagined.
Courtesy of Market Playground
In my last blog post, How to Get What You Need, I had a discussion about money (or the lack thereof), and received a wonderful comment from RC about how money flows; you MUST read it if you are having trouble with the direction of money in your own life.
Money is like a river, and it flows; when you hold on to money, it cannot move. We've all heard the phrase, "You can't take it with you", as well as the phrase, "You have to spend money to make money." Of the latter, I've always thought you have to spend money as an investment to get a return in the same class as the investment. For example, I spent money to start my website again and I'm hoping the flow will return in the sale of beads on the web site. Well, it doesn't have to be a specifically directed release, it just has to be a release. As long as you are holding tight to your money, you are stopping the flow, you are stopping it's journey away from, AND BACK AGAIN to you.
Courtesy of Grieving.Org
It is about faith. That post also discussed having what you need versus what you want. I've been in this financial situation before, but then it didn't worry me as much; I had faith that God would provide what I needed, exactly when I needed it. Sometimes fear gets in the way of faith. So, I stopped being in fear and treated myself to a beer at the Moose Lodge, and had an awesome time on $5.00!
I also discussed giving as a way of receiving, and the realization that people need me to be "Mona" and that is how I give, and that isolating myself was keeping me from giving to, and receiving from, others. So on Saturday I visited friends, had a wonderful dinner, and wonderful fun.
God has her way of waking us up and making us see. It turns out that one sentence was repeated each night: "I was beginning to get really worried about you." It was time for all the elements to come back together. I'm grateful for every day, every one in it, and every moment as it is. My heart is open again.
In the bead world, The International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB) is
looking for instructors and talented presenters at the Gathering event in 2013.
The ISGB is THE authority for glass artists, and to be a presenter or
instructor you have to be a MAJOR artist, at least that is what I always felt.
The best of the best teach and present here. People go to the Annual Gathering
from far away, points international, to taste from the golden cup of glass
perfection and innovation. I wonder if I could ever be that good!? If I made
beads every day I might be that good; if
I worked on my brand every day I could be that desirable.
This year’s Gathering is in Washington, and begins this
week! I would love to take classes if I were there. Classes are available in so
many artistic medium from felt, to metal, to glass, and combinations of some of
them too.
Two of the mini classes (offered at night) that I would
attend:
Cynthia Toops is doing a class on polymer clay combined with
glass.
Heather Trimlett is teaching a two day class on making
perfectly round beads and even twisty cane. I love Heather’s work! (Image courtesy of Jelveh Designs)
I don’t know how I would choose a regular class; the choices
are incredible!
One of my faves, Marcy Lamberson, is teaching. She makes the
most whimsical beads.
Kristina Logan is teaching. She’s the queen of dot
placement, control, and dragging glass!
Margaret Zinzer is teaching. She’s the queen of insect
inspirations!
One of the non-torch classes I would take is a photography
class with Doug Baldwin. The beads in this picture are made with dichroic and
metallic glass. These glass types shift color and luster depending on light and
are very very difficult to capture on film! Doug Baldwin knows how to do it!
Please feel free to pin my blog to your
Boards,
that way you can share all the beautiful beads at once!
When I was a little girl, love was The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family, and Father Knows Best. When I was a pre-teen love was Shirley Temple, Dorris Day, Dean Martin, Judy Garland, and Elvis on Sunday. When I was a teen-ager love was Judy Blume, Soul Train, and American Band Stand. When I was in High School love was sad and lonely; it was unrequited Bobby Balentine, and requited Bruce Hammer, until..... Until Jennifer Matthews became the first friend in a string of many to betray my trust, loyalty, friendship, and belief. And Bruce became the first love in a string of many to betray my trust, loyalty, friendship, belief and heart.
At almost-49 I look at the patterns of love in my life. Every boyfriend I have ever had has cheated on me with someone close to me, except one, who cheated on me with his own selfishness. It has cost me much in my life: a timely education, a potential for career to be fulfilled, a natural child birth.
At almost-49 I look at what I believe about love and realize the price I have refused to pay: I refuse to become jaded and have refused to pay with my belief that love is real. At almost-49 I continue to choose love; I continue to grow.
I still believe in the media and literary love, at almost-49. I still believe that my heart has a mate, somewhere. I believe in love, and love believes in me. My love is waiting for me to believe in me.
At almost-49 I believe I am a good friend, a good citizen, a good mother...I AM good. I'm not "trying" to be, I AM. I look at the patterns of love in my life and I see growth, and I see perseverance, and I wonder what more there is to learn. What is left to learn? Is it to "get real"? Maybe. And maybe reality is not something we discuss, or learn, but something we "know".
What is reality? Is it not trusting? Is it not believing? Is it guarding one's self from pain? Is reality that state in which one lowers expectations to what might be possible when all else seems impossible? It is not in my nature to expect less. I can not expect less loyalty, less honesty, less selfLESSness, of myself or of others. I cannot give up on others, I cannot give up on my self.
I must continue to learn...until I know, without thinking, that I AM love. I wonder how long I get to live when I know that I AM love? I can't yet imagine what other lesson there is to learn after that; they haven't made a Sunday Musical Movie or Sit-Com about it yet.... Or have they!?
I've been missing you all while I've been so busy finishing school. Just a few more days and I'll be done! In the meantime, here is a prayer of thanks for you that suits my absence and confirms I'm still thinking of you.
First my car broke down, I was very late for work.
But I missed that aweful accident, was that your handiwork?
I found a house I loved but others got there first.
I was angry, then relieved, when I heard the pipes had burst.
Yesterday I found the perfect dress, but the color was too pale.
Today, I found the dress in red. Would you believe it was on sale?
I know you're watching over me and I'm feeling truly blessed.
For no matter what I pray for you always know what's best.
I have this circle of email friends, who mean the world to me.
Some days I "send" and "send"; other times I let them be.
When I see each name download, and view the message they've sent,
I know they've thought of me that day and "well wishes" were their intent.
I'm so blessed to have these friends, with whom I've grown so close.
So this little poem I dedicate to them, because to me they are the most.
God bless you all is my prayer today, because I'm honored to call you friend.
I pray the Lord will keep you safe until we write again.
Who's there? The Universe, that's who! I can't be the only person who's noticing a shift in things in their world. Some special friends had biopsies and the results will be coming back on the same day, though they live in different towns and do not know each other. And their friends are going through similar situations. There are a lot of mental health issues being dealt with by myself, my friends, friends of friends, both near and far. There's a tendency for me to be self-destructive (translate party girl), but I get over it fast and get on with the business of being there for others. That is something the Universe seems to be saying LOUD...I am a greater support for others and less in need than I think...I must have faith in the Universe, for time and time again it proves itself to be there for me.
"It's time to step out on faith, I gotta show my face, it's been elusive for so long...look what I have found...strength, courage, and wisdom, it's been inside of me all along..."
I can't believe it has only been a week since my last post...No, it has to be longer than that! See, I told you I can't believe it (LOL)! I think I will just spit out all the grain I've been storing in my cheek without care of the order in which I give it (boy, grammatically that was from another time...been writing like that a lot lately!)
Sales, sales, sales. Is it the season? Is it the economy? Is it both? I've been noticing a lot of great sales and here are a few I've held onto to share with you.
"Save 15% on all chain and stringing material during the String-a-Palooza! This is a great time to get basic elements for your designs. Everything from jewelry wire and silk cord to sterling silver and base metal chain is on sale. Enter ZZ-PALOOZA15 at checkout to save before this sale ends on Wednesday, April 20, 2011." at Artbeads
Wednesday, April 13, thru Sunday, April 17, 2011: Don't get strung out choosing the right jewelry cord — stock up now on quality stringing supplies at great sale prices! Get 10-20% off volume pricing for WireLace®, velvet ribbon, Rattail™ satin-like cord, SoftFlex® beading wire and SoftTouch™ stringing cable. 5 days only! at Rings & Things
At Heartsy you get "Daily deals on fabulous hand made items", at least 50% off from selected ETSY artists in all categories. I hope I'll be chosen some day.
And of course for my blog subscribers, at Mona Rae Beads when you make a purchase over $20, you get 15% off when you comment "subscribe15"! Did you see the rosary I made? It is a jewelry piece but includes all the parts of a 5 decade rosary. Perfect for spring!
I received an order for 6 beads that will be used as buttons on a hand crocheted coat. I can't wait to see what Sharon at Chubby Cheek Sweaters does with these!
Julie Smith, one of my loyal fans, just purchased these from me. I hope she sends me pics of what she makes with them! If you send me pics of your creations with my beads I will give you an immediate refund and shout out in my blog!
Well, I've said a lot today, yet there's so much more I can share with you! I have new listings and price reductions in my shop, so I thank you in advance for looking at them. In the meantime, I want to share a charming story about being tenacious, making others happy, and this bead that I sold to Deborah (The Jeweled Bird). It will bring you back full circle, as the Universe always does!
2/28 MONA: When I was packing your bead to mail today, I noticed the small surface encasing crack had turned into many cracks. I must have grabbed an incompatible rod of clear. I can make you a new one or refund your money.
DEB: I really REALLY fell in love with that one!
MONA: I love this bead too, and it was fun to make, and it was so vibrant and my first successful attempt at baleen pleats.
MONA: I made another one yesterday and used a fresh rod of the clear. The same thing happened with the encasement, but this time it cracked in a way that told me it was incompatible with the gold metal in the pink...So, I just made another one, this time with a less expensive (no silver metal in it) clear, which unfortunately is not as crystal. It is in the kiln now... If you don't like it then I'll try it without the clear encasing. I guess another option would be to either use another color other than pink...As long as power stays on, I'll be trying again tomorrow
DEB: No problem, thank you!
MONA: I did try another. I used a light gray clear and the rubino I used didn't turn out as pink. It is a deep rich purple...Still want to try again for another
DEB: No problem, thank you, thank you!
MONA: I had a couple ideas, one of which I am sure will work. I'm going to re'anneal the two I made that cracked to see if they can be "healed". The other idea I had is... lightly encase the bead with 104 moretti clear frit then encase with the Aether it will keep the two metals (Aether silver & Rubino gold) from "stressing eachother out."
DEB: First thanks for the update, second, I truly thank you for the tenacity that you have shown for this one focal...
If you decide that 'enough is enough, I will understand, as you have devoted so much time to ME and this one bead.
MONA: I appreciate your patience and the opportunity to work it out so it can't happen again. I hope we are successful so that you can have the beautiful bead you want and I'll have a solution to share with others.
DEB: Well, I will remain optimistic, then:):):)...it is so hard when you really fall for a bead...and you have been so kind to try to make it work... i will keep my fingers crossed!
MONA: The last option might be to take the bead as it is. The cracks do not go all the way through, so the bead would not break. However, how you use the bead will make a difference in what will happen (will the cracks get bigger, will the clear encasing break off?)...
MONA: Well, they came out of the kiln and looked healed with the exception of one tiny crack, but as soon as I dropped them into the water to soak (and I dropped them on purpose) the encasement on "the one" cracked. I also made a test bead using the clear frit encasement and it also had two long cracks in it. However, I found one rod of diamond clear (which is not double helix) and I will try that this weekend.
DEB: Dear Mona, your efforts are so , SO appreciated...I think, perhaps, you love this pretty bead as much as I do.
MONA: Yes, I really do like this one as much as you do. I'm very frustrated that I haven't been able to duplicate it, which makes it even more special! I'm disappointed in the performance of the diamond clear. If you want it cracked, you can have it cracked. If you don't want it cracked, then I'll wear it! Other options at this point are to make it without clear or make it without rubino. Do you want me to try that?
DEB: Hello Mona....Oh you poor dear...you have tried harder than anyone I know! I will PROUDLY wear the cracked bead...as a testament to your perseverance and as a beautiful object with a mind of it's own. I cannot explain WHY it is so special..it just is! I give you my grateful thanks for trying to repair this beauty...or remake her. I thanks you so much...
I look forward to wearing the 'special' bead, and I look forward to telling it's impressive story...about a glass woman who tried so hard hard to make me happy (and did:):):) (4/13)
