Here's to working! Really working. What a blessing and joy to be back working with my hands again.
I've missed you gemstones!
Your shades and hues...your facets...translucency...cool and smooth. Rubies and turquoise. Pearls and pyrite.
I've missed you sterling, bronze and copper. Rosary parts and rhinestones.
I've missed you tools and torch....hammer handles...drill bits...workbench.
Oh, it's good to be truly back at work. To be able to do what I love. It's a part of me...creating with my hands, and I didn't realize how very much I missed it over these last, difficult months.
I've lately felt a leakage of joy from my soul...drip by drip. Life events...distracting, unsettling, bewildering and sometimes, downright painful. Turbulence.
Working has helped seal up the cracks...stop the slow seep.
It's been a tough row, lately but I'm following the plow. And there has been huge good, amidst it all.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
trials+testing+perseverance=maturity
Some of you are dealing with much worse things than I am, and it's hard to find the joy...I know. I want to tell you that I pray for you, regularly. Some of you ask me to and some of you don't. And sometimes, I just send up a general prayer for all of you, my sweet readers. Quite honestly, you've been a huge blessing to me and I'm so grateful that you come here, to my blog...read my writings (such as they are!)...comment on my jewelry...support me. Thank you. Please remember...
Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5
deryn xxoo
I just love your earrings. So much attention to detail, yet such a free celebration of the innate qualities of the metal and stones. Brava!
Posted by: Kathy Edwards Hayslett | Monday, February 27, 2012 at 09:18 PM
I like your phrase "following the plow". Sometimes that's all we can do. But as long as Jesus is our plow we're good huh? Your new creations are beautiful. I live in Phoenix, wonder if I should take your class? And, BTW, I HATE Arizona in the summer!!! eeewww and bluck!!!
Margo
Posted by: Legacy of a Single Girl | Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 10:56 PM
I needed that. Send up another prayer for me. Thanks!
Posted by: Ann | Friday, February 24, 2012 at 05:51 PM
I love the style of these earrings. Feed your need to create now that you can again. Creating keeps us centered in the present.
Posted by: Cynthia @ Ornamental Style | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 08:45 AM
Hi Deryn,
So glad youre back to what you love to do putting your heart and soul into your creations. I love your work and I look forward to your next on-line workshop.
Posted by: Beth Marx | Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 08:32 AM
The earrings are so lovely - you have such an eye for colour! I am so glad you are back at your bench - I have missed the eye candy... and I understand completely the necessity to create.
Posted by: Renate | Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 12:53 AM
And you are Ridin-High Deryn these are some beauties. Love the tourmaline earrings.
So glad your feeling better =>
Posted by: Theresa Fosdick | Monday, February 20, 2012 at 08:35 PM
Hey Deryn! Glad to read you are back at what you love! Great to hear you have recovered... Now it's my turn - had rotator cuff surgery a couple of weeks ago, so just starting that journey.. Hopefully will be back quickly!
Posted by: Anabella | Monday, February 20, 2012 at 07:45 PM
Everytime I come here all I see is beauty! Love the new earrings, as well as the ornament you sent me. Thanks so much!
Posted by: Danita | Monday, February 20, 2012 at 07:25 PM
These are so beautiful! Glad your feeling better.
Posted by: Andrea Ring | Monday, February 20, 2012 at 07:08 PM
Very poetic, Deryn. Glad your shoulder isn't crimping your style anymore. The earrings are lovely and luscious.
Posted by: Leslie Todd | Monday, February 20, 2012 at 02:00 PM
I think the Lord wanted me to read your post today. Thank you for James 1:2-4 I needed to read it, again. And I am glad that you are back to work making your lovely jewelry.
Posted by: Donna Gunn | Monday, February 20, 2012 at 01:20 PM
beautiful!!
Posted by: kim | Monday, February 20, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Yay for you Deryn! So glad you're feeling better!
Posted by: Lori Bowring Michaud | Monday, February 20, 2012 at 12:15 PM
Your Kitchen is done, that alone must make you feel better! You must be progressing with Pt. Your new photos show again your wonderful creations......do you have a new puppy yet? Really good for the soul, and up lifting, living with that sort of innocent spirit. I so hope you are getting better. You are very much my favorite artist. Sylvia
Posted by: Sylvia Poff | Monday, February 20, 2012 at 11:24 AM
Your work is gorgeous Deryn! So glad to see that you're back doing what you love!
Posted by: susanc | Monday, February 20, 2012 at 11:00 AM
So glad you are back creating. It's hard when you can't do something you love. Your work is so beautiful - you always pick the most perfect stones. Do you buy them at shows or do you do a lot of ordering on the internet? Are they all gemstones?
Posted by: Susan M (quiltingjewel) | Monday, February 20, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Deryn, I SO relate to your joy. I tore two ligaments in my right wrist in March 2009 and I subsequently got tendonitis in my left wrist. Surgery, physical therapy, accupuncture and a WHOLE YEAR with no jewelry making. I felt as if part of my being was cut off...Frustration! Now, being able to create again is cherished more than ever. You are right, others are dealing with worse. I try to remember that!
So happy for you!
Posted by: Chris Kerr | Monday, February 20, 2012 at 09:58 AM