Blog

Have you ever had a change of perspective?  One that made you wonder and gave you hope?  I was talking about choice and decisions in my last post.  My modus operandi being "take charge" to follow my path, and also allowing whims to take centre stage in my choices.  

This week, I had a different experience.  Instead of looking for a way to muscle my way through, because I *think* I have to, I have taken a bit of step backwards to consider where I AM. 

To consider how being where I am works in my favour, instead of against me.  Instead of struggling to the "next" thing because I am "supposed" to want it, do it, be it (who the heck decided that anyway!?!), I am settling in to the flow.  

So much easier than trying to swim upstream.  

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Choice is an interesting thing.  How do you know when you make "the right" choice?  For earrings or clothing, you can try it on (or see it on someone) and decide it is exactly right for you.  

But what do you consider when you make those life altering large choices?  Do you go with the flow?  Or do you take charge and make steps towards your goals?  Or does it really depend on the scenario how you exercise your choice?  

Generally, I have thought of myself as a "take charge" type person when it comes to the big decisions.  But I have also been known to follow a whim (like that time I came home with a puppy...).  What's your modus operandi when it comes to decisions?

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It occurred to me this weekend that my notion of "going to the beach" may not be the same as yours...

While I have spent time on tropical, sandy beaches, I am not really a sit-on-the-beach-and-tan kind of person.  While I adore the soothing aspect of being on the beach, I am much more active on it.  I prefer to walk and beach comb and take in sound of the waves, the smell of salt.  I might swim, depending on the location and temperature of the sea.  I get bored if I am just sitting there.  

If I am going to sit, then I prefer a porch on a cottage or a big ol' beach chair, maybe with arms wide enough that I can write on or comfy enough to curl up with a book.  

What's your favourite way to experience the beach?  

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Someone made this awesome driftwood swing at the bead. 

Swinging is one of those activities that can transport you to another time and place.  Perhaps a carefree moment of childhood.  Or in my case, our summer lake cabin.  Makes me smile and relax all at the same time. 

I thought my Martinique necklace was a perfect match for this swing.  You can let it transport you away...

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Did you know that darkness is one of the components that enable you to get a good night's sleep? 

Sometimes, it can be hard to get that total darkness.  There are lights on all appliances these days.  Where I live, sundown isn't until after 9pm, which means it's light out after I got to bed during the work week.  If you live in the city, you could have street or other lights shining in your window.  

I had heard about black out blinds and even rigged up some blankets to make my bedroom dark.  Then I found this mask!  It's silk and breathable and soft on my face. I am sleeping much better now - and that means I can dream up new creations just for you! 

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Since the beach is my happy place, I can glean tons of inspiration from it. Many of the things will be "catch and release", so they can continue becoming sand on the beach.   

Here are some of the "finds" that attracted me - mermaid tears (those pieces of sea glass), some rocks, shell bits and a two tone crab shell.  Sometimes it's the texture and sometimes it's the colour; I never really know what I will be drawn to.  I always pick up the glass, however!

This rock with the barnacles particularly drew me.  I love the rough texture of the barnacles.  I also like the contrast of the bronze beads with the steel coloured rock.

Can you see the ideas?!

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I talk about how I draw my inspiration from the ocean flora and fauna.  But it's not just what's in the water, it's also what the water casts ashore.  And what the ocean alters.

Like driftwood. Driftwood is pummelled, soaked and tumbled by the ocean and at the same time smoothed and transformed.  Weathered into revealing it's beauty. 

Gathering driftwood gives me a touch stone to the creative ideas that have been tumbling around in my brain for awhile.  Can't wait to see what they turn into.  

I am working on a few new pieces for release later this month.  If you want to be first to shop them, get on my email list!  Enter your email in the space provided below.  

Do you mask up?  I recently received an order of locally made masks from Evercoast Handmade and have begun wearing them in stores and on the bus.

Here, we created bubbles around us and now I feel some days that "my" space is being encroached upon.  So I choose to mask up when I am in situations where the bubble cannot be maintained because you just don't know with this virus. 

But, I do still wear my earrings and I take the mask on and off.  How do you do that with earrings?  Here's how:

Now you can earring up too!

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Canada Day has me thinking about, well, Canada. {Funny how that works} Canada is bound on 3 sides by the sea. Only 2 of our provinces do not touch ocean at all.    

I have lived only in BC and have visited several provinces.  But it's the islands that draw me.  I live now on Vancouver Island in a place where I can see the ocean everyday.  It is the place I have lived the longest.  

Prince Edward Island, on the opposite coast, is in some ways a world away.  It is, however, where my grandmother's family is from and I have a connection with the place.  I visited there in 2004, saw where my grandmother grew up and dipped my toes in the Atlantic Ocean.  

Thus, on Canada Day, I realize my connection to the country of my birth and reflect on how that has seeped into my being. 

I.AM.CANADIAN

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The last few weeks have felt heavy.  Luckily, I have had a few days off this week to recharge.  

It's always important to see and enjoy the simple things around you.  

And a visit to the beach, where ever that beach may be, is one way I get grounded to the simple things.  

How do you enjoy the simple things?  

PS:  The Maderia earrings and Petite Madeleine necklace are available in my shop.

PS #2:  Beautiful card made by Deb Designs

Last week, I introduced my grande coral reef bead and some new designs with a single bead. 

You can see I have been playing with my beads again; now I have designs with two grande beads.  

You can see the grande vs the large bead; the grande is indeed an inch larger!  These necklaces will definitely make a statement.  

I am aiming to release these new designs by the end of July.  If YOU want to be first in line when they come out, do sign up with your email below.  

I am working on some new things.  

These grande beads are 3 inches long (an inch longer than my large beads). I have been playing with single grande bead designs - as a bar necklace.

And as a large and long drop necklace.  

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