i thank you God for most this amazing, a favorite by e. e. cummings

I created this from a scan of a favorite book cover of mine, and thought I'd add an equally favorite poem. I've been an e. e. cummings "fan" since high school. His work never gets old for me. It was he who first taught me that poetry did not have to rhyme or have perfect punctuation or be even, to be poetry. Reading this again; hearing this again; reminds me to remember to play...to be lifted from the no into the beauty of the day we are given. What is your simple joy today? Share it with us in a comment, won't you?

Plain Brown Wrapper

I only have the picture in my mind. I didn't know I'd have this encounter....
The other day my husband and I went to the cemetery for a visit, which was bordering a pasture......we saw the horses from the highway.
I noticed the large and simple brown horse in the pasture next to where I was standing and walked over to get a closer look...what happened next was so magical, I don't think I'll forget it. Not for a long time.
He saw me and began to gallop, not trot or walk, but gallop toward me. I used to care for horses years ago near Seattle, and I could feel the velvet of his ears and the smell of his neck before he ever got to where I was. When he got to me at the edge of the forest brush and barbwire fence, he stood there within arms reach, flicking his haunches to ward off the pesky flies; like he was waiting for something...I reached over the spiked fence to touch the softness of his neck with my finger tips. I spoke to him of his majesty and beauty and thanked him for coming to me; and we stood there together for the longest time. He was so plain, just brown and nothing else, yet so incredibly beautiful. Brown was all he needed.

I see that in so many people...the beauty in the plainness. I see it a lot here in this very unglamorous small town. Makeup-less faces and pony tails and tanned faces worn by hardness and years under the sun. Weathered hands roughened by farming and fixing things...there is beauty there in the plainness. the roughness. the weathered lines....The plain brown wrapper of life. This beautiful, beautiful, unpredictable life....

EVERY PIECE AND TWEET TELLS A STORY - FOUR DAYS A WEEK. At Our Fingertips. An Unexpected Place.

EVERY PIECE AND TWEET TELLS A STORY - FOUR DAYS A WEEK. At Our Fingertips. An Unexpected Place.

I am so honored and amazed (still) that Mia would take the time to write about me and my creations...selecting photographs and words the way only she can.
Mia has a way with words and photographs that steal my breath. Her latest Monday Musings about her mother's Vietnamese garden left me wide eyed with wonder...
More soon!
Love and Light to you all,
Jennifer

A Letter to my Father

Dear Dad,

I put your picture away today. I had it put away while mom was here out of courtesy, but after she left and I put it out again it just wasn't the same.
After watching her sleep and hearing her soft breath next to me...after watching her delightfully play with the kittens and with Jeremy and make chicken parm and cake stands from candle sticks and old plates;
I realized that she is all I ever needed. I'm relieved that you weren't there to help raise me. She has been my mother and my father almost all of my life. A big job for such a small woman, and I've been an "interesting" child to say the least...she did everything she was capable of doing. Loving me the way she loves.
I have spoken to you more since your death than I have my entire life. Sometimes I think one sided conversations with imaginary answers are best. You apologized and told me how sorry you were that things ended up the way they did. You said you were grateful that my mother was my constant, the one I could always look to. You said you knew it was probably best that you weren't involved in my life after all. And I'm alright with that now. The tears don't come any more. Not for you, but for the missing of her.
I'm letting you go today, though I'm certain this won't be my last letter.
I just wanted to let you know.

Love,
Me

I love the name of this curated spot on Artfire.com!

Pop it & Locket

  Curated By: PolyCharms

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

I have made the move to Artfire to save my customers some money and so I can have a nicer online shop. I want to be able to offer my work at more reasonable pricing! I'm pretty excited about the move. Artfire offers much more custom options, too numerous to name...also, when I am done "fluffing" it, it will look better than my current website! Stay tuned for a special coupon next week when it's all finished for all of my sweet readers!

I'll be back soon.

Thank you for being here...

Jennifer

A Song in my Heart

Today I drew a name for the special celebratory earring giveaway...I took the time to write each person's name on tags that I made from antique sheet music. It seemed appropriate. Those of you who visit my blog are such a song in my heart...your words about Autumn were such a gift to me! Thank you for taking the time to leave your most favorite memories. I so enjoyed each and every one of them and I'll be sharing some of them in tomorrow's post, as well as one or two of my own, but today, here is the winner of the giveaway:

There is something about physically writing...almost like leaving a tiny part of yourself on paper for others to experience. As I wrote each of your names, I thought of you and the inherent beauty that each of you possess. After I wrote out 26 names, I placed them in my most special vessel...a little old two handled sugar bowl that I've had for almost 15 years now. As far as possessions, this is by far my most favorite. I found it  so long ago and it has
followed me as I've zig-zagged from one end of this country to the other and back again. Its familiar shape, a reminder of simpler times in a little white bead-board house in the country and the things that truly matter. Simplicity. Hope. Love. Living in the moment...
I placed my hand over your names in that little white bowl and sent thoughts of those things to each and every one of you. I sent thoughts of hope, love, strength, light, simplicity, and peace to you all. My hope is that somehow you receive them.

In Celebration, a Saturday Giveaway!

Autumn is finally showing its grace here in rural Michigan...it is my most favorite season of the year. I've been busy making lots of new things for the shop, that I'll be posting throughout the weekend and I am offering a 10% discount on everything in the shop until Monday evening at midnight. And To celebrate being published in Belle Armoire Jewelry and the coming of fall, I will be giving away a pair of these beauties:

(vintage rhinestone teardrops in an exquisite shade of Madeira Topaz)

I just love these earrings! The antiqued brass elements are so highly detailed, along with vintage rhinestones in a shade (Madeira Topaz) that you just don't see in modern jewelry.
No special hoops to jump through to win these! Just leave a little comment to be entered, but I'd love to hear your fondest memory of Autumn, whether it be jumping in huge piles of leaves as a child, collecting and pressing leaves, or drinking warm apple cider.....and might I share some of them in a later post?
Thank you for being here today.
Blessings,
Jennifer Valentine

Free Friday, Two Hooters

Since Owls have become the latest craze, I thought these two owls would be neat for collage projects and such. I hope everyone has a fantastic day! I'm picking my beautiful mama up at the airport in an hour....I can hardly wait to see her!!

Newly Fallen

I found the leaves
today,
neatly pressed in pairs and threes
between the pages of
the dic tion ar y
as I looked up
Entrepreneur.
I imagined you there
in your soul soaked old man coat
(the one I mended with silver thread)
conducting a
deliberate
&
silent gathering
of the newly fallen
as you flowed through
the arms of forest--
contemplating which
of thousands
to send
to me
to win back my heart
which was
never really lost.
I found the leaves today...

Belle Armoire Jewelry and a Little Ol' Challenge

When my copy came in the mail the other day I was still quite ill...and instead of being in the moment, I was worried because since I was sick, I didn't have any really "good stuff" in my shop to make a good impression on folks who might visit after reading my article. I had to remind myself to be as kind to myself as I would be to others in this situation....I took a deep breath and told myself that not having my shop chocked full of Intention Lockets was okay. That this illness was present in my life for reasons. To teach me to slow down a little. To be kinder to myself. To remember what is important. to name a few.
And it is hard for me to feel deserving of such an honor...to be alright with being included in a beautiful publication such as Belle Armoire Jewelry with so many jewelry artists who do so much more than just put things together. They forge and twist and mold and pour and sew and bead...and all I do is stick things to things with glue and add some beads and stuff. I think to myself, who the heck do I think I am?! Anyone could do what I do. You don't really have anything special. No one is gonna care about your lame stuff after looking at everyone else's beauties.
Once again, I gently remind myself of the things I'd say to someone else. What you do IS important. What you do is relevant. Your work is unique and valid. What you do brings joy to others, and that is what matters most....not how many lockets are in your shop this week or how many opportunities you have  to get yourself "out there."
Readers, I challenge you all to do the same.

So often we are not as good to ourselves as we are to strangers, to friends, to colleagues or family. The next time you want to crush your self worth, or talk yourself out of the stuff that dreams your are made of, think of my challenge this week. Change your inner dialogue. Say the kind things to yourself that you'd say to others. Be as kind and as loving to yourself that you would be to someone else....and I promise I'll do the same.

Making a Comeback

This is me lately. unaltered. sick. unwaxed eyebrows. in terrible need of a haircut and dye refresher. dark- dark circles. in pajamas most of the day... but right now, this is my reality. It is days and weeks like I've been having that make me realize how precious it is to have health...to feel really good. To move freely. To bend and twist and dance...
I've been angry at my body. I've been weepy. I've felt sorry for myself briefly....but I don't stay down long. I suffer from chronic pain, nerve damage and spurts of extreme exhaustion. Finally diagnosed with a disease (Fabry's Disease) that makes all of these things finally make sense and I am truly thankful for that. What used to come and go, now just hangs around all day and all night, at times reducing me to tears of frustration...but this I know: the show must go on...and there are those out there so much worse off than I am. There are children out there suffering from much worse and I've already been blessed with 39 years of feeling good and lots of chances for yoga and dancing.
I am still hopeful, and grateful to be alive. And I have managed to make some things while I've been away.

Just some simple things for the shop. (available here)

Thank you listening to me ramble a bit. I've missed you all and I've thought of you every. single. day. that I've been away. The pull to the computer has been overshadowed by the pull to the bed. But I don't stay down for long. Nope. I don't.

An Inexpensive Water Feature Idea

For quite some time I had been wanting some kind of water feature in our home. The sound of trickling water is soothing to me...but I was never happy with the ones available in the stores. Most of them were plasticky and kinda cheesy. The ones I was happy with were in the expensive home and garden catalogs and stores and completely out of my price range! As I was visiting the Salvation Army thrift store last week, I happened upon a fountain that I thought had some potential. It was just a simple square shallow pot with graduated glass slabs...what really got me was the fantastic price of just 4.00.
I took the guts out of the fountain and put them in a huge ironstone bowl from my ever growing collection of ironstone, and placed that on a large ironstone platter...and I got this:

Though I am not in love with the black cord trailing from the bowl (I guess I could have painted it white?), still not too shabby for four bucks...and I didn't even expect the light to work! So many variations for this. If you see a cheap fountain that may not be aesthetically pleasing, you can paint the outside of it, or even the inside if you use that spray paint used especially for plastic. Or you could just take out the pump and you can make a fountain out of a pile of those clear stones you can get by the bag full at Walmart or Michael's. Just pile them up around the pump in a container and add water...and maybe even some floating candles? You could use cups and saucers glued together with marine glue (glue for boats) or clear caulk. The hardware store always has clear hose available by the foot so you can go as high as you'd like. You could use a stack of terracotta pots and thread the hose through the holes in the bottoms to the top of the stack....or use the good 'ole standby; rocks. You can get pretty, smooth stones at any craft store....or how about tumbled glass? Or slate? Oh my, the possibilities!

Such a Lovely Treasury

I was honored for my steel moon earrings to be included in this amazing treasury by Voladoradesign....

You can get to the clickable one Here.
Forgive my absence. I've been struggling with some issues with the arthritis in my spine. But I'll be back very soon with some fun and easy projects, a spotlight on my favorite jewelry designer, AND a some very special give aways.
xoxo
Jennifer

Buddha and a Church Lady for Free Friday

The handwriting is from a long and skinny antique ledger kept by a woman for a church describing the daily events...I love the handwriting so much... she gently writes of gatherings and food, baptisms and visits and tithes and such. Old ledgers are one of my most favorite paper things.

The next picture is from an old text book about Japan. I've always wanted to travel there. My Great Grandfather spent some time in Okanawa after the war and his whole house was infused with the orient. My most favorite thing was his collection of chopstick rests. Though I am a Christian, my thoughts are also infused with the teachings of Buddha...I even have several Buddha statues in my home. The serene expressions on their faces, a constant reminder of peace.

What? No Fireplace? Well then...I have just the idea....

We like a nice fireplace at our house. If we had one, that is...don't know why we didn't think of this so much sooner. My husband and I found an old gas "fireplace" for 20 bucks at our favorite antique place. I knew in an instant what I wanted to do when he pointed it out, and it was this:

Then at night, it looks like this:

I will most likely add a lot more candles as soon as I get to the store to buy some of those clear votive holders....but I thought this was pretty darn nifty. I also like the idea of filling it with old bottles of singular flowers. You could even fill it with mason jars of fresh flowers, or it can be decorated with greens for the holidays...or even some old glass balls and white Christmas lights bunched up inside of it. Lots of different things to make it your own.

The Real Thing

(This necklace is currently for sale in my Etsy shop)

The comments that I received from my last post have at times, left me in awe. Speechless...and those who know me personally know that isn't an easy task. I've always been a talker....and I was always the "loud kid". The "talker".
I just want you to know that you're on my mind every day. Yes, you...those of you reading this now....and those of you who left such kind and heartfelt comments about my last post.
Thank you for taking precious time to read my simple blog. To hear what I have to say. To witness my ramblings and creations and musings and not be scared off by my mention of talking to God. ( And I really do have a big black, no; two big black heavy and working rotary phones in the house!)
I always hesitate about mentioning God like I did in my last post or in my articles, in fear that I will be labeled a "Bible Thumper" or a "Holy Roller" among other things, but the truth is that I am a believer. I have had my doubts and my struggles but I always come back to the mystery of faith.
I have a quote from Proverbs over my table that brings me the greatest peace during times I question my belief and question my life and question my God and it is this:

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him
and he shall direct thy paths."

The line that really stands out to me is
-and lean not unto thine own understanding.

There are some days when this is all I have to hold on to. That everything happens for a reason. That it will all come together and make sense to us eventually.  That it is ok to not have all of the answers....That professing my faith is never going to be a "bad move."

Thank you for sharing your journey with me.
Deepest,
heartfelt,
Thanks.

On the Old Rotary Phone with God

Today I am listening to the Patty Griffin station on Pandora and enjoying the rest of the day from behind the big picture window glass because it is so damn hot this afternoon. You know summer isn't my favorite season. The house is still today. Well, at least for a little while, so we can talk. The cats are all napping. Jeremy is watching Wubbzy. And Pandora is singing through the speakers to me to just breathe. Just breathe....

This morning, you gave me a sign. At least i think it was a sign. Could you confirm that?
I wandered outside with thoughts of mylifethusfar. How long will I live now that I have this so called rare disease....I....I  mean this gift? This thing that has opened my eyes so wide to the wonder of it all and at the same time fills them with tears? Is what I am doing relevant to the world? Is it worthwhile? Does anyone really care about these pictures of sunflowers for the new blogpost or the new earrings I made last night? Am I on the right path? Sometimes the voices in my head get really really loud about how stupid all of this is. How no one reallycaresaboutjewelry. How no one really readsyourstupidbloganyway. How it's too late for me. I shouldhavestartedthissooner.
And so I ask you, God, what is true? What is real?
Sometimes the tears stream down my face at night (Of course when everyone is asleep you know, so I don't upset anyone) in a mix of deepest gratitude and Amen and why me and mixes of grief and joy; I get confused God. I get confused. What is my purpose here?
Anyway, back to the sign. I think this was it.....I think it was.



Am I right? Were you trying to tell me that I am only just beginning? That my wings haven't even fully opened yet? That I am beautiful? That life is all about experiences and we can only ever be what we leave behind in the hearts and minds of others? That I'm going to be alright?
Thank you. I really needed that, God. I really did. Yes, I think I'm going to be ok. Thanks for answering the phone. Sometimes I wonder if this old rotary phone still works but I love it so......

Sunday Morning and it's Lena Horne

Yesterday, my son Christian brought this home for me. He remembered I had been searching with hope that another vintage record player would come along to replace the one that came here to Michigan with us in the little U-haul so many years ago...and here it is. Complete with a beautiful glowing light on the off and on knob. And finally, Lena Horne can be set free to waft and roam the rooms downstairs as I cook and as I create and as my little one plays quietly...all of us soothed by the crackling and popping sounds of yesterday. And later, it will be Willie and Barbara and James and Simon and Garfunkle, Crystal and Linda and Rod....I've yet to find her but I am hoping, so hoping someday Billie will come to stay with us too. My beloved, my favorite songstress of all, Miss Billie Holiday....

Artful Blogging, and Gratitude

I flip the pages and arrive at my article in the current issue of Artful Blogging. It is a surreal experience. I am somewhat stunned I guess. How did I get here? My heart printed on pages for the world to see. In the article I speak of blogging and how it has helped heal my heart after my father's death....and there is still a lot of healing to do...
Another wonderful part of this amazing gratitude package is that my sister, Kelly Rae is in this issue as well. That makes it so much more special.

The photos taken with my little 'ole Sony runofthemill digital camera, are there on the pages. I shake my head in disbelief. Did I really take those pictures? Humbled. I am truly humbled.

Yesterday I was reading my daughter this post. I wrote about why I use Queen Anne's Lace as my "icon" or "brand". She said that I should be a writer. And I said, I am a writer. I am.

Luminosity

They seem to appear from the canvas,
with searching eyes, somehow manifesting from the drips and smears;
a soul of their own doing.
Brought to life through his hands,
these waywards finally at rest.
A life story made real
yet transient and fleeting
as the fog rolling by
the car windows on a sultry nighttime ride.
Luminous
soft
fluid
and
smoldering
from the palette of his dreaming.

(Untitled acrylic on canvas)

("Speed" acrylic on canvas)

("Transgressions" acrylic on canvas)

(Jeremy, crayon and acrylic on canvas)

("Apparition"acrylic on panel)

( These are an example of work by my husband, Ken Morford.  His online Etsy shop is still under construction,but  inquiries about purchasing paintings are welcome. His blog contains a little more about his work. Click here.
Ken is also a poet. You may find his beautiful poetry here.
I am a lucky girl. Surrounded here at home by his talent, and graced with his words.

True North

I received this letter today. It was resting upright on my jewelry table when I awoke this morning. Of course the tears came...in this letter he speaks of our favorite song together, Float On by Modest Mouse. And in the top right hand corner his letter says "True North". Something I told him years ago that he never forgot. I talked with him about what it meant and how to know if he was truly heading in the right direction in his life...what made him truly happy...and what his personal True North is. He has overcome so much in his 15 years of life. A rare congenital disorder, learning disabilities, being teased and bullied in school because he is so different. Still, he remains the tender hearted, creative, hopeful child filled with questions and wonder that he has been from the very beginning. My compass. My constant.
This child of mine....this child, holds a constant mirror to my soul. (I am tearful with joy and gratitude as I write this.) Such joy I find in my children...I know how fortunate I am. I know....
He says to me in his sweet letter, written in his best hand, that my father would be proud of me. That Jerry would be proud and that I am stronger than most and that he is proud of me....and to remind me, that no matter what, no matter how heavy things get, we will all float on alright.....my dear child, this I know. We will float on.....and on. Alright.

For Free Friday: An Exquisite Bird Illustration (my favorite) from an 1876 Almanac

Another favorite of mine is birds...this is a particularly stunning engraving from an 1876 Almanac. I have included the cover. Though it is quite damaged, it is a nice example of the typography of the time. It is hard for me to believe that I actually own something made of such delicate paper, that is 134 years old. I found this, and most of my antique paper collection in a dumpster several years ago. I was stunned to see that a family, cleaning out a home after an estate sale, threw volumes of old family photographs, paper antiquities such as this, and other antique items away. To them, these things had no value. To me, they are priceless.

Keep your eyes out for the next giveaway. It will be fun! (I am almost finished with the cabinet card and ephemera packages and I'll be mailing those out tomorrow. August 1st.)

Assemblage Necklace Display Project Idea (easy and fun!)

I thought I'd share a little project with you today. It is a necklace holder/display created with vintage glass knobs and a hunk of antique door frame. I really love it...
It is a very simple project!

Materials:
1 Hunk of old wood
Several vintage glass knobs
Wood screws that fit the size of the knob and long enough to screw at least 1/2" into the wood
Picture hanging hardware (or two screws and some wire) 
Screwdriver

Directions:
Decide how you want your necklaces to hang on the hunk of old wood. Screw the knobs on, taking care not to screw down the screws too tight and crack the glass. Nail on the hanging hardware. Hang on wall. Display your favorite necklaces.
This project could have hundreds of creative variations!

Assemblage Necklace Display

Necklaces from some of my favorite Etsians

Playing with Light, Dreaming of Autumn and Christmas in July

Provincial Earrings

Egyptian Alabaster and Turquoise Earrings

I was gone all day today, and in my rush to get some creations posted, I caught the last bit of evening light right here are the desk. No tripod. No fancy background. Just the window, a piece of printer paper and the light. I thought these photographs came out fairly well for such a quickie operation.

There is still time to catch my Christmas in July sale! Everything in the shop has been marked down, with an additional 10% off of necklaces and bracelets.

These days, I've been thinking quite a bit about Autumn. Maybe because of the oppressive heat wave we've been having? I'll be posting some more summer colors very soon, along with some very rich fall pieces using beautiful polished tiger's eye, tumbled garnets, golds and plum.
More soon!
P.S. Still a few envelopes left for the ephemera and cabinet card giveaway!