Early in the morning... I will celebrate your light

I've been reflecting on this piece and what God might be saying to me through it all week, and as promised I am sharing with you where He has led me.

It may seem strange to you that I feel God is speaking to me in this way, but I don't find it strange at all. God is everywhere and in everything. He has designed each of us so uniquely and when we seek Him with all of our hearts, the Bible promises we will find Him. Being able to create art is a gift from God, the ultimate creator, and to use that gift to glorify Him and to allow myself to be drawn closer to Him is my gift to Him in return.

I think God knows I am a visual or "hands on" learner. I read His word, which is good, but in order for it to stick I have to really experience His word. I love when He allows me to do this through art.

There are times when I know from the point of conception what God is speaking to me as I work on a piece, other times He begins to whisper to me as I am putting together the finishing touches. Sometimes as I step back and look at something that I've just finished His word flashes across the lense of my eye and I have an AHA! sort of moment, and then there are times when God wants me to slow down and think about something and He prompts me with a thought over and over again.

This time that thought was in the form of a song, some of you may recognize the line from "God of Wonders" by Caedmons Call:

"Early in the morning, I will celebrate the light"

At some point I realized it wasn't just a song I couldn't get out of my head, it was important and I should pay attention. I kept thinking about the line "Early in the morning" and then my thoughts would turn to the number 6 on the necklace, same as the 6 am flashing on my alarm clock each morning as I smack it into submission and snuggle deeper into my blankets.

I reject the idea as just plain silly at first, yeah right, the 6 is the time God wants me to get out of bed in the morning. Very funny. Really meaningful, now even I think I am crazy!

But then he brought me to this verse in the book of Mark: "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."

And then this in Luke: "and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple."

And I finally had to resign myself to the fact that, yes, He wants me to get my butt out of bed in the morning and really be with Him before I start my day. No more of this glancing through a paragraph or two as I dry my hair before I leave for work and then complaining about how empty I feel by the time I get home. hmmmmmmm....

At least one reader, Theresa of Maggie Grace Creates, took me up on my challenge to find out what God might be saying to her and this is what she wrote: "I immediately thought Joshua 6 (6th book 6th chapter) so I went and looked it up. I am struggling with a wall at work, and this is the story of joshua taking over jerico with only quiet action and God's guidance. Just the message I needed today."

Thank-you Theresa! Thinking of the book of Joshua made me think of the verse "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" Joshua 24:15. I also thought of Rahab, the prostitute, who's life was spared when Jericho was handed over to the Isralites. The army knew not to harm her or her family because of a scarlet ribbon she had tied in her window. Placing that ribbon in the window took great courage for this woman, in effect she was saying "Today I am choosing a different life, today I choose to serve the Lord".

Looking again at the piece I made, I see the pink glass beads as a symbol of that scarlet rope in the window and my own proclamation to serve the Lord. I love how the wire around the lower tear shaped bead almost has the appearance of being a crown of thorns.

Lord, today I choose to come back to you. Thank-you for reminding me of your great love through Jesus sacrifice on the cross, and thank-you that as I come to you early in the morning you meet me with your love and stay with me throughout the day.

A work in progress

A work in progress this week. The color is a bit off in this picture. I've worked this pendant from a large green antique optical lense. I have no idea why the glass is green. Somebody let me know if you have any insight on this.

The other items include brass hardware from a drawer pull, antique adding maching key, vintage dusty rose fabric, and glass beads from a generous (and talented) Deryn Mentock of Something Sublime.

I am still waiting for the inspiration for the chain to come. This will be the newest edition in my "Garments of Praise" series. What does the 6 mean? There is a verse there, I've been praying for God to show me.

His answer? "Get in the word and find out"

Okay Lord, I hear you. I've been lax about it lately and it shows. I pray for His guidance, I pray for His wisdom. I pray that He will help me guard my tongue during the day and fill me with his Spirit. But I hit the snooze button 2 more times and suddenly I am rushing out the door to work in the morning feeling dry and wondering why I can't feel my Lords presence like I used to.

Thank-You Lord, for being near to me, even when I have pulled away from you.

Stay tuned, I'll let you know when I've allowed Him to open my eyes to the verse. Better yet, dive into the word with me and find out what He is saying to you.

How Marvelous! How Wonderful!

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

At the Good Friday service we sang the old hymn "How Marvelous! How Wonderful!" it is playing over and over in my head as I wake to this Easter morning.

How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! How wonderful!
Is my saviors love for me.

John 3:16 - For God SO LOVED the world, He gave His only Son. That whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

A month and a half! Really??

Really? I looked at the date of my last post and nearly fell off my chair! Has it really been that long?
They say time flies when you're having fun and there must be some truth to it. I have been busy busy busy with deadlines and projects and the past 6 weeks have flown by!

You might remember this piece, "In The Shadow Of God" made after taking Keith Lo Bue's workshop last May.



"Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me under the shadow of your wings." Psalm 17:8

I have reworked it and added a found object chain and just yesterday submitted it, along with 2 other pieces, to the Woman Made Gallery for acceptance into the "Some Assembly Required" assemblage art show. I won't hear until the 18th of April whether my work was accepted.



Chain includes a 1919 red cross button, antique clock key, vintage bus token, religious medallian, some sort of souvenier stick pin (minus the pin), cuckoo clock chain, and iron wire. I've taken a stab at fabricating my own clasp and was quite pleased with the results.

I've made a lot of art since my last post. Here are a few more things I can share with you.

A page for a collaborative book to boost friend and fellow artist, Kelly's spirits during her battle with cancer.



"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." Psalm 126:5

Kelly is such a generous and caring person. Even in the midst of her own troubles she is constantly lending support and encouragement to others. Gods promise to return this to her with songs of joy is awesome.

I've spent a lot of time working on pieces for the book project I am so lucky to be a part of. I can't show you any of the finished pieces (you'll have to wait for the book!) but I can give you a peek at a few things that have occupied my time.

Antique key hole with the key hole cut out of it, waiting to be turned into....



oh no! You'll just have to wait and see! ;)

This project has really challenged me to grow. I've been honing my skills at wire working. Here is my first earring hook. And the finished piece? You'll have to wait to see on that one also! :)



Here is a commissioned piece I can show you. I still love to turn these antique letter stencils into necklaces. I've made this one with the customers own baby photo, but usually I use antique tintype's and photos. Check out my flickr albums to see more finished pieces.

I have 4 more on my work table that are just about finished for another customer and would love to make one for you too!

See the photo below that shows several in a partially finished state. Do you see one you like? Have an idea of how you would like it finished? what you would like it to say? or just want to be surprised with a finished piece?

Check out the listing on Etsy and let me know which one you are interested in. If you don't see your letter here, be sure to check with me. I just may have what you are looking for.

Well the day is already getting away from me. I have many projects and deadlines still to complete in the next few weeks and will try to squeeze in an estate auction tonight (always looking for good junk!).

Thanks for dropping by!

Blessed Beyond Measure

Its been a few weeks since I've posted. Life is hectic and busy as usual. I've shared so many of my trials with you all lately that today I really wanted to share some blessings.



First is the blessing of time. I've managed to find some joy filled hours over the past few weeks to finish up a few projects and start a few more. Time with art is time to heal, to regroup, refocus and find a place of serenity within.



I created this piece today from an antique glass optical lens which I have drilled a hole through the middle of in order to attach the two antique buttons that swing freely around the hand forged center pin. The back has been collaged with text from a 1914 interest table book.

I love the mix of materials, notice the bit of antique purple cloth with the slightest green cast that backs the piece, and though it is hard to tell in the photo, it matches the purple and green hues of the vintage mother of pearl button nearly perfectly.

I have finally put to use some of the skills learned in a class taught by artist Keith Lo Bue to create the iron wire armature and handmade clasp that match the antique cuckoo clock chain so perfectly, but I really have to credit the awesome artist Richard Salley for his long distance help in understanding the technique. If you'd like to try your hand at it, Richard has generously posted a step-by-step photo workshop on his web site. His art is amazing!

I have titled this piece "The Number of Our Days" based on Psalm 90:12
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom". How much I take each day for granted. I pray the Lord would help me to grow and learn from his word each day and appreciate every hour he has blessed me with, no matter what the task he gives me for that time.



This piece is titled Morning Light "he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from earth." - 2 Samuel 23:4,
Also created from an antique glass optical lens, a hole has been drilled through the glass on this piece as well, to enable the antique button (or is it some type of cuff link?) and the vintage dog tag to swing freely.

I have collaged the back of the glass with vintage text and music using a technique that creates a translucent effect. This enables the bit of pale pink and gold antique cloth to be viewed through the glass as well.

The clasp is the ring and hook that were attached to the antique cuckoo clock chain that I have used as the necklace.

I'll be listing both necklaces on Etsy later today.




A few blessings this month involve opportunities God has brought my way for my art. One is the opportunity to be published in a book about collaborative jewelry making. One of my goals for this year was to be published in a book and that opportunity came very early through the charm swap that I participated in last year. I won't be able to share what I've been working with you for a while, but you can read more about how the book came to be on Kelly's blog.


You might remember this piece titled "Tree of Life"....


And this one titled "Faith"....


And "Sublime"...
I've had the privilege of having them professionally photographed at work (thanks to Gus in the creative department for his help!) and all 3 have been accepted into a juried art show titled "Women's Works 2007". This is a first for me and an answer from God to another goal for this year. I have wanted to enter local art shows for a while and have not had the nerve before now.

I truly am blessed beyond measure. I am loved and highly favored. Saved by grace. When hope is gone and darkness has fallen, I will Rise Up and call myself blessed. I have a Savior in heaven. He sees me and knows my name. He has held me up by His right hand and leads me. When I stumble He will not let me fall, and if I fall He will pick me up again. My eyes will look with hope to the hills for I know my Savior lives!