When I feel like giving up, I think about them...the precious brides-to-be that come to me and my shop for the assemblage bridal combs, earrings and bracelets that make them feel beautiful on their most special day. I sometimes hear the voices in my head that say that what I do is meaningless adornment in a world filled with so many more important things. The voices say that I'll never make lots of money, or be well known for my work....the voices say that I am wasting my time. Who do I think I am?
And, I say back to the voices, that maybe I'll never be as successful as others...and maybe I won't ever make the big bucks...but what is important is what I feel when I create, and how others feel when my creations belong to them. I feel incredible bliss when I create that nothing, aside from my children, has ever given me. My work is infused with it. It feels like a divine compulsion...something I must do even when I want to give up because my body won't cooperate, or because life gets too complicated or stressful. I escape into the little world at my desk, where old things are made new again...arranged like flowers in a vase until all of the elements seem just right.
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| custom bridal comb in vintage silver |
Making jewelry for brides is my most favorite thing to create. It is such a humbling experience to receive photographs from "my brides" wearing something I put such deep thought and love into. I see the photographs and I shake my head in wonder and amazement and in thanksgiving for such an honor. Such a joy to be a part of one of the most special times in a woman's life...
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| Alison's Custom Bridal Comb and Earrings |
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| Jenny's Assemblage Bridal Charm Bracelet |
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| Jenny's Wedding (favorite picture) |
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| Custom Bridal Comb Set with Antique Crinoline (some of my most favorites!) |
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| Melanie's Lovely Australian Wedding |
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| Melanie's Bridal Bracelet and her Beautiful Bouquet |
Where do you find your bliss? Tell me about it, won't you?
I've also marked down the whole shop to clear things out for new pieces...come take a peek
here.
These are GORGEOUS! Have you ever considered focusing more on just bridal? Your style seems such a perfect match. I mean, talk about a day when all you want is PRETTY and GIRLY. These really have that special aura. And I'm so jealous you get these pictures! I never get pictures! waaa.
ReplyDeleteDoing what you love; creating from the heart and the passion of what you envision? That to me is so much more important than just creating to make money, to make the big bucks, to be the BIG name. Because life is fickle and people are fickle and today's BIG name will be yesterday's puff of smoke before the next BIG name comes along.
ReplyDeleteI'm at a crossroads of which direction I am turning next. Lately I go down a path and find it stops or it isn't getting me to where I need to be, so I turn back or walk in a new direction. I'll get there but reading your thoughts today has reminded me that it's got to come from my heart, nowhere else. I don't want to be the BIG name...I just want the things I've done to have mattered to someone else as much as they have to me.
As for your bridal work, have you considered opening a shop that caters just to brides? You've a great gift there my friend...well worth exploring! xo
oh my gosh...so delicious!
ReplyDeletegorgeous pieces..
ReplyDeletei think if you can bring some joy into another persons life then it's a day well spent ..and worthwhile
Quiet the voices, Jennifer. When you can create such glorious things as you do, there is talent. That is yours alone and the world is a more beautiful place for it.
ReplyDeleteOh these are gorgeous! The brides and the jewels. :) You know my bliss is painting, I've been making a big happy mess on my kitchen table lately! Hoping your little grandbaby is growing healthy and strong.
ReplyDelete♥Jenny
hi Jennifer
ReplyDeletei could not resist to comment with the lovely picture of my gorgeous Melanie - as you know one of the three lights of my life.
when she was planning her wedding she saw the cuff and it was the perfect piece to wear on her special day. all your jewellery has a special, as fanci has said, pretty and girly look and feel.
Melanie still wears her cuff (she is definately a girly girl) when she dresses up and even with a pair of jeans. and she emailed me to say that she felt really honoured to have you include her day on your blog.
for me, its all those pretty earings.
they are delicious...
caRolS
beautiful!
ReplyDeletei agree with earlier comments that what truly matters is how you feel... and to know your efforts have lifted someone else. i can tell your jewelry does that - lifts people. and i also can see a bridal shop/connection for you. trust your kind and sensitive heart.
that's what i am working on. i am in a job that really is hard on me and (like sherry wrote above) sometimes i feel a bit lost and don't know where to turn or what exactly to do next - but know that i will get to where i want and need to be. i just need to follow my heart, too.
to answer your question - prayer, being with my family, listening to music, knitting, painting and working on my first quilt are helpful to me, make me feel better.
wishing you all the best ...
kathy
I love to paint. To swoosh colors all around. Actually, I just really love color. Paint is one medium of color that I can manipulate. But mainly it's just plain color that makes my heart sing. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so sweet these girls sekk you out to be a part of their special day. With all the business of wedding planning they seek you out specifically. That says a lot.
Very special. :)