what is your intention?

mary jane dodd

mjd - 2014

you are a maker -

whether you work with raw materials like metal, textiles,clay or glass or you purchase handmade components and artfully assemble them into something that speaks your language.

you use your hands and both sides of your brain.

mjd - 2014

i think most of us agree that making is a therapeutic activity, one that we cannot imagine living without. 

you put so much of yourself into it. 

do you think about how you release it into the world?

mjd - 2014

what i wish for first is that my work connects with people - not everyone naturally. but with those who are like minded, your tribe.

do i hope that someone might buy it? of course. this is how i make my living. while i wish i could give it all away, i can't. 

but what i can wish is that it brings someone joy, or peace. that it perhaps gives them a chance to step outside of our demanding world and connect with something that was made by hand. to appreciate the depth of meaning in the simplicity of a stitch. to connect back in time to others who worked in a similar way. 

and so how do i release it into the world? 

with intention and love. 

i hold each piece in between my hands & give thanks for the ability to give voice to my heart through the use of those hands. i give thanks to the person who values what i do. i give thanks for the ability to connect with people.

you do all the work you do to create your finished piece - whether it be a necklace, a bead, a finding - why send it out from you without a blessing of your own?  

december reflections

mary jane dodd

wishing you

and oh so much love... 

a contemplative time of year... 

the solstice has past and the season of joy and giving is upon us... 


the darkness seems to intensify introspection...

from one who has spent christmases (and other holidays) alone while the kids are with their dad - i extend light and love... 

if you don't have anyone to love in your reach, love from afar... 

or how about trying an exercise in self love... 


immersing yourself in whatever feeds your passion... 

start putting out into the universe the things you want in your life... 

this has easily been one of the most challenging years of my life - but when you stay open (and practice gratitude), the balance comes into play... and so i have also had one of the most love-filled and beautiful years... i have had people extend friendship to me in ways that leave me awestruck...

i am humbled... 

and thankful... 

and i wish for you love - it is the energy of life... 

live it, breathe it, share it, be it... 

when one thing leads to another

mary jane dodd

yesterday was a blustery day... and many a leaf took flight...

in my head the words of samuel taylor coleridge circled about in a sing song-y type of way...

'the one red leaf, the last of its clan,

that dances as often as dance it can,

hanging so light, and hanging so high,

on the topmost twig that looks up to the sky.'

so i went to my bench and cut, shaped, hammered, filed, drilled and riveted... 

to get this... 

and once they are all done - 

these are waiting for me... 

my patience is being sorely tested - 

but i am ever so grateful for the ability to interpret and act upon what i am moved by...

On Gratitude....

Here in the United States, November brings Thanksgiving, our holiday of giving thanks for our abundant blessings and sharing a hearty meal with our closest friends and family. There is no pressure of gift giving or holiday parties, save a last minute run to the crowded grocery store for some last minute forgotten ingredient for a much beloved recipe....and usually no one notices and the sheer joy of relaxing and chomping on all the glorious foods and desserts of the season usually makes up for any stress.

gratitude key by mettametalworks
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday....and not just for the tradition of the big fat meal....but simply for a day of complete relaxation and being mindful of whatever blessings that I have been afforded. Even at the very lowest times in my life, when there was no family close and I was in the midst of a very painful time in my life, I spent Thanksgiving going through a fast food drive-through and eating my Thanksgiving Dinner of french fries and grease-laden food on a beautiful beach and feeling the wind in my hair and the sand in my toes and watching the waves. There was no turkey or stuffing but there was joy and happiness and I was truly reminded of the moment, of how thankful I was, just then, to be there.

wrapped cross by forgivingworks
I am constantly reminded daily, of the many blessings in my life, despite any stressfulness or frustrations or sadness. There is just SO. MUCH. GOOD. all the time...and this time of year always reminds me of these things. No matter the circumstance, I can always think about something else when I'm feeling sour, or ornery and think, WOW, what about that!? How amazing is it that I have that in my life right now????
Back in this post in the comments, I mentioned I was reading this book. I've reached a critical chapter for me, one of those chapters (since I read for 15-20 minutes before I go to sleep) that I re-read again the next day and mull it over and perhaps re-read it a third time so it sinks in to my thick noggin.
This chapter has to do with helpful affirmations, creativity, and self-esteem. This is the very first affirmation:
1. I am an artist, and I have chosen a life that will give me pleasure in all of the things I make. I owe others and myself for my good fortune in coming to this life, and I will try to show thanks in my work. ~Peggy Hadden, The Artist's Quest for Inspiration.
How are you showing gratitude in your work?
This month's Art Spark is all about gratitude, have you entered yet?

looking forward to -

'each morning sees some task begin,

each evening sees it close;

something attempted,

something done,

has earned a night's repose.'

~ henry wadsworth longfellow

one of the things i love about making my own components is the process... how once one begins, each step progresses until it is done... i enjoy waking up in the morning to pieces ready to be sealed - because i know that soon i will be able to use them... 

i hope to make some necklaces with these today... 

to my delight yesterday, i saw our own barbara lewis in the registration announcement for bead fest wire in philly... her class is on april 10 - the link to register is on her name... 

she is teaching a 7 hr. torch-fired enamels class... congratulations barbara - this is a huge event!