mary jane dodd
mjd - fragile strength 2013
and you are human.
it's no secret that last january i became mortally ill.
there have been surgeries, 3 months of iv antibiotic infusions, and more.
more is the residual, lingering pain.
but this post isn't about the pain -
it's about being a maker and being human.
and what do you do when you get cut off from what allowed you to express yourself?
when i couldn't get to the bench to do metal working, it sent me into a depression. not just because of my inability to physically work (though that was big), but because it was and is how i process thoughts and feelings.
mjd - pin weaving 2013
to my great good fortune, this post came to my attention - and i was able to interpret this technique into something that spoke my language. above you see it as a pendant. below, i changed the shape of the pins into leaves.
mjd - woven leaves 2013
mjd - 2013
i then became interested in small affordable looms that allowed me to make these:
mjd - mat with carved stone 2013
thanks to pinterest (that font of inspiration) - i learned about boro and japanese stitching
mjd - peace flag 2013
and added it to my weaving.
autumn arrived with its gorgeous foliage and hydrangea petals stained by summer.
mjd - fragile strength 2013
mjd - pumpkin garland 2013
i find the stitching to be very soothing
mjd - 2013
mjd - 2013
the point of this post isn't about me -
it's about you.
life doesn't always go along as planned.
and if you are a maker
it is imperative that you find a way to keep doing that.
for you it might be baking,
knitting
crocheting
making your own cards
sewing
or something else that resonates with you.
i just ask you to keep trying
depression
physical injury
emotional injury
are all debilitating.
but you are stronger than any of them -
even on your worst day.
mjd - open heart 2013
remember
'the wound is the place where the Light enters you.'
- rumi
