Small Bodies Ring
[A whole lot of sensual sterling, smooth and lightly burnished. Perfect for a woman who claims TOUCH as her primary love language.]
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It’s strange.
How I work best is strange.
When I set about making this ring, I didn’t think about the design, sketch ideas, or map out a plan.
I didn’t make a template of any sort for the face of this ring.
I didn’t take measurements.
I simply, and quite randomly, went about constructing.
I sat down at my bench,
reached for a sheet of sterling
and sawed into it
(I know that’s a crazy thing to do what with current metal prices, but sometimes I just can’t help myself).
I sawed an organic circle sort of shape.
I smoothed the edges and then raised the metal
before sinking it and putting everything together.
I didn’t particularly think about the process.
I was fully present for each step of the construction of this piece.
This is my favorite way to work.
I love feeling lost in the moment of my craft, swimmingly at sea with silver.
I prefer a natural dialogue between me and the medium.
I don’t like to pry. I like an easy flow.
The rapport is sweet.
The result is even sweeter.
There’s some language of balance, some understanding of metal that speaks louder than all,
some dialect of design that conquers my studio space,
and I’m just a mad hatter adrift on whimsy,
a white feather on the wind…
I work it until my eyes like it.
Simply put.
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It was a good day here.
This morning, I took a moment to lay my burdens down while sipping coffee on the big rock by the peach tree.
The result was a sort of purity and freedom in a creative space I have been avoiding.
In the blue light, in the youth of day, there’s so much grace,
I can’t help but pray.
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Over the weekend, I came across this wonderful quote.
Do these words resonate with you?
I design jewelry mostly for women. My motto is “from having to being.” Women today no longer want jewellery to show what they have, to show their status, but to show who they are, their essence.
[Jutta Munsteiner]
Do tell, what is your essence?
Mine is:
Wheat stalks, canola fields, alpine lake, geranium,
rainbow trout,
wild roses, delphiniums, ginger root, white, caribou tuft, sarsaparilla,
pick-up truck, quarter horse, silk,
antique camera, stained glass, leather bound, river water,
barefoot, goose down, pussy willow,
amethyst, snow,
skinny dipping, long sleeves, Chopin, blue grouse, spruce trees,
roasted beets, licorice, gosling, train tracks, aspen grove,
one room cabin, watercolor, VW bus, cowboy boots, rust…
this is just amazing.
jillian, that beautiful, beautiful piece of art took my breath away.
and then your gorgeous words followed!
"from having to being" i hear that, loud and clear like a crystal drum.
bel. xx
what a powerful posting:
i feel what you say
and
how you say it.
my essence: cottonwood and birch groves. songbird chatter. dresses with leggings. leather boots. balsam fir oil. massively large stones set into sterling. jeep. point woronzof beachcombing. velvet quilt. dark black tea with cream and honey. bitter dreamland tea. feather wings pinned to a board. cougar cat cheeks. dogs running fast and happy. the devotion of a couple true friends….
what a beautiful piece.
i love that quote! such perfection…
some things that are my essence:
feathers, wild hair, wind, the sea, gypsy hearts, mermaids, fae spirit, animals (birds, horses, dogs, frogs…), wild places and wild spaces, thunder and lightening, snow, dancing treetops, quiet knowing, nature music, gardens, hoola hooping, beautiful things (which i truly believe make the world go 'round), rosa rugosa and lemonbalm, rosemary and sage, hearts connecting… oh my! i could go on for many moons…
<3
Oh, I do love this one, so much like a small tide pool or a smooth worry stone. It will make someone happy. I have to say the quote spoke to me, I think many of us are looking for materials in our lives which bring comfort and connect with who we are. I'd have to say I'm a made up in part with sincere pumpkin patch, convertible breeze, childen's laughter, puppy dog eyes, yarn and a wooden crochet hook, old tractor, fields of sunflower and orchards of apple, sandy bare feet, and a dash of vanilla extract blended with bonfire set to a Gordon Lightfoot/Paul Simon/Eagles soundtrack. Beautiful reminders that we should surround ourselves with those experiences, people, and things which bring a smile to our face. May peace and joy be yours today.
i just love your writing. it takes me to a place and environment so different than my own! i just started reading the anthropology of turquoise by ellen melloy- have you heard of it? the writing is similar to yours and i think it stems from being out in nature and really seeing and feeling it, rather than driving past it like i do! i think you would love it :)!
xo
sami
Love how you work. This piece is just WOW!
When something like this has been created will all the senses- it just grabs you.
It's created in the NOW and becomes a unique dialogue between creator-you and medium.
Then shared with others for their joy. A beautiful thing. xo
My senses are all awake.
And when they're sleepy memories of them are still floating about me.
peonies, turquoise, rabbits, barefoot in the grass, the forest, aquamarine, plaster, wood, magenta, feathers, leather, splash of paint, moss, a hand in your hand, bees, delft blue, eyelashes, raspberries, Plume's plum jam, smooth rocks, dragonfly wings, silver, hearts, wolves and elephants, chocolate, the green scents of Summer, fog horn at night, chicken bums, bits & pieces of the past… a few of my favourite things… la la la
thank you Jillian Andrews!
it is the best way to work! metal almost feels natural in that flow… like it knows where it wishes to go, and asks for your gentle direction in getting there.
beautiful work from the easy guidance of your soul xx
My essence?
sunshine, laughter, raindrops, mountain tops,
Walking horses, cherry, leather, steaming dust,
barefoot grass, ocean tide, helping hand,
oak and hawthorn,
morning dew, bits of earth, coffee with cream
winter hush, rolling meadow, open road
Oh miss JSL,
I so LOVE that quote – it is why I make objects to be worn. There was a time (and are cultures…and some of us) that people infused all of the objects they wear with some importance.
Reflecting family, tribe, history… Rich with symbol and meaning, as we walk through everyday brandishing the textures and designs that reflect back to us who we are – on the inside – not the outside.
Like wearing some sort of talisman of our interior landscape and spirits an external organ of an emotion or time…. i could go on and on.
A few of the essences that make up me…
sweet salty coastal waters, beach stones, bones and moss, antique lace, dark black mascara, feathers… lot's of feathers, warm glowy summer evenings, tools that fit in the curve of my hand and the metals I cut with them, the smell and feel of everything garden grown, long kisses and dark purple calla lilies……..
Thank you for inviting these thoughts.
I am a woman that claims touch as a primary love language…it is also, in many ways how I take in the world…I need to make something w/my hands to really understand how it works…
This ring reminds me of sensuous meditation bowl….you can run your finger around the rim and meditate to unlock the mysteries…
I think you need to the list of your 'essences' the word ' full of curiosity ' too….:)
I love your ring. Good morning Miss Plume!
love it….its fresh, natural, organic
Who am i? I was born in the wrong era, hippie is in my blood, books belong on my shelves, ukulele playing, hemp braiding, vw driving, tree loving, tea drinking, hula hooping, skirt wearing, Jesus loving crazy woman
What a lovely ring. More then lovely, its fantastic. and i love to hear about your process my dear.
xo
Boy howdy.
I LOVE these comments!!!
Perhaps I'll bottle up your essences…
MLJ: GOOD MORNING!
Thank you for allowing us to share ourselves here. The ring is divine. A bowl of sorrow, a bowl of joy.
I am a little bit of: dark purple, smooth lake stones, wool, small owls, bookshelves, jasmine tea in a large mug, heavy pieces of silver, silly felt hats, woodsmoke on a summer evening, gooseberries, reeds in water, dancing alone to music in an empty room, inexpressible heartache on the first day of autumn, saffron, the cry of the loons, rosemary, the hollow of a throat, a guitar, the moon.
oooh myyyy, i feel the need for touching it…holding it…carrying it..
love the words! as always your words makes my soul shine….they nurture in the depth of me. i am blessed!
some of my essence:
linenfabric against my skin, knitting needles in my hand,
trees, mountains, bird song, the air after it has rained, the taste and smell of jasmine , the colors and taste of berries, laughter, love, hearts connecting, piano music, silence, wearing plume jewelry always make me feel MORE ME, the smell of almonds, butterflies, white, the felling of rough and natural pottery in my hand, touch….
I love your essence! <3
Truly.
I know some of the brightest souls.
There's only room here for the brightest souls.
Stay bright, all you bright ones.
x
lovely, oh so lovely…