mary jane dodd

mjd - 2014

so many wonderful things are happening here for the contributors of the blog - 

things they work hard for, 

take chances on,

dedicate their time to. 

a new talented member has joined in - welcome, carol!

it's not easy to keep a group blog 

(much less your own)

going. 

i thank them for their dedication and desire to inspire and educate 

you.

i've not been so present - 

life can be unpredictable - 

before a serious illness i was more productive,

attending to blogs,

teaching classes, 

writing for publications.

in short, doing what the goal of many of us becomes.

mjd - 2014 beach and forest finds

but what happens when you cannot do as you did before? 

after you have grieved 

after you have gotten frustrated?

because it is in making that you speak 

that you feel

that you make sense of things. 

mjd - 2014

as in dealing with many of life's challenges, 

you adapt

you accept

you learn to let go.

i know i am not alone - 

we have deaths in families,

illnesses

job losses

things that change our lives 

and can strip us of passion.

be gentle with yourself. 

find what works,

what makes you feel good

what allows you to speak. 

mjd - 2014 - everyday love pins

inspired by rumi

things work out. 

the necklace in the first photo evokes a cupped hand ever so gently holding a heart - 

a heart wrapped, but softly and openly - keeping it from turning hard.

no matter how bad it gets, remember that love is ever present. i challenge you to go outside and look around. how many plants have leaves shaped like hearts? stand before them, breathe deeply, smile and know. know you are loved. know that this life of yours offers an opportunity to touch others. 

then figure out how you want to do that. 

you're a maker, aren't you?

so make something for someone who has touched you. 

then set it free into the world.

guess what? you've created a ripple - maybe that gift will reach someone just when they needed it. and they will be able to do it for someone else. 

spread the love - 

and never stop believing in the power you hold to make the world a better place. 

mary jane dodd

mjd - 2013

we are a collection

a sum total

of everything we experience.

tears that show

how full we are,

brimming

with joy and sorrow

that spill over

providing release

of that which we can contain

no more.

sighs that come

from contentment

connection

or despair,

almost barely

audible

exhales

containing

secrets

hopes 

and dreams

from our most private places. 

each small moment

adds to those of the past

and creates

the most lush

expression

of all we are.

feelings

thoughts 

and ideas

that maintain

their individual significance

but become ever

more powerful

when strung together. 

mary jane dodd

loving fully - mjd 2014

upon my last breath
may i know fully
that i have given all 
my heart could give,

loving fully - mjd 2014

that the chips 
and cracks
incurred along the way
served not to weaken it
but allowed the light
to enter
and made it all the stronger.

a beautiful giveaway -

mary jane dodd

today is the autumnal equinox (it gets big love from me) & issues in a new season -

the lovely deborah lee taylor of e5jewelry has generously given us a ring - 

sterling silver with copper accents

fits ring size 7.5

you, dear people, can do what i cannot - which is to enter... 
we can all think of at least one someone to share this sentiment with - 
it's secret message translating into a secret smile, just knowing that someone feels that way... 
think of how you could make another heart warm with this lovingly handmade piece - 

deb's random act of kindness here 
allows you to share a random act of kindness elsewhere... 

around and around it goes - 

there is nothing required of you to win... 

but might i ask if you could perhaps
commit a random act of kindness yourself this week?

it doesn't have to be big - 

share the love... 

and check in next saturday to see if you've won... 

resources, inspiration

mary jane dodd

'green pod' necklace

nancy l. t. hamilton 

follow the links, bookmark her, learn from her - 

she is awesome... 

i thought of her this morning after pondering over libby's book and site recommendations (which i share with her wholeheartedly)... 

nancy is a gem - she has videos on youtube

i hadn't checked in a while - and there are some great ones i want to watch... 

have fun!

guest post - erin prais-hintz

Art Beads, O Art Beads How Do I love thee?

(a tribute to art bead artists everywhere with a nod to Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee for thy color and pattern and light
My soul longs to touch you, you make me feel alright
For the one of a kind uniqueness you make my heart bleed
I love thee to the level of a crack addict’s need
You tempt me with your beauty, you make my mailbox burst
I love thee freely, though my husband thinks I be curs’d
I love thee purely, your sales drive me to act like a loon
I love thee with a passion that makes grown women swoon
In my earliest designs, there was nary an art
Art beads, O art beads, you’ve opened my heart
To a world of mini-masterpieces – I love thee with desire
Though I would rather hoard you, I find it difficult to part
I shall but love thee better when I get inspired.

Thank you to the lovely ladies of Love My Art Jewelry for inviting me to share
my love of art beads with all of you on this Valentine’s Day. What a perfect day
to share our common love of the beauty of these mini works of art! The picture
above is a set of my ‘simple truth’ charms in a soft shade of lavender with the
message I <3 U measuring just ½”. I would like to give this set away to someone
here who also loves art beads as much as I do. Winner will be drawn by random
on Saturday, February 18th. To win all you need to do is leave a comment below
telling us why you love art beads.

Enjoy the day!
Erin

Erin Prais-Hintz invites you to go on a journey of inspiration at her blog Treasures
Found :: Inspiration is Everywhere. You can view a gallery of her work at http://
www.tesoritrovati.com/ or purchase her new line of 'Simple Truths' in her Etsy shop.

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...