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!

on being a woman

mary jane dodd

i came into this world a female... 


for one reason or another, have you ever repressed something so deeply that it was almost forgotten?  i recently realized that identified with myself as a human... but not a woman... 


this integral part of me has been rising in my work... the balance that is all of us... it had been rising before i was conscious of it... and waited for a time when i was safer to explore it... 


complex and simple, strong and fragile, soft and tough, silly and witty, practical and imaginative, centered and kinetic, firm and yielding, always loving, on and on... 


i had made a simpler 'urban posey' before... but here i wanted to layer the petals, to use different papers and wire... to etch the metal... use softly colored silk... and have it move... 

resin paper has allowed me to speak softly, silk fiber to create a balance to metal... to demonstrate fragile strength... materials reflect intention... and allow you to wear your heart on your finger... 

what materials speak for you?