16 July 2014

Musings On Friendship

I think the greatest joy that I have is in the few friendships that I have made.  I have never been one to have oodles of friends. Sure... I know lots of people the world over but, close friends are very few. I always envy those I see hopping on jets for girls' weekends in New York or Vegas, or having weekly dinners filled with girl talk and wine and laughter. I pine for and wonder why I don't have that. Perhaps my life is too busy for such a thing to happen, or I am not the sort that others would think of to spend a getaway weekend with. So when I do get the chance to convene with those that I feel know me the best, I relish in it, as it is truly few and far between.

The selected beads from Michaels. We can fill in with up to two others and our own focals.

I know I have said this before, but I will say it again: Heather Powers is my best friend. We met through this crazy online world, like finding ships in a stormy sea. We took a chance on each other in that airport in 2009. We share a common love and language that neither time nor distance diminishes. I count my blessings every day that she is in my life. She only lives one state away, a mere 6 hour car ride! Unfortunately, I don't get to see her but twice a year, at Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee and at the annual fall Inspired by Nature Retreat in October (are you going? I am!). It is not enough, I tell you! I imagine what it would be like if we lived in the same area... oh the shenanigans we would get into and the collaborations we would make! That would fill my soul with happiness.

The inspiration palette

So when I see that she is hosting a color challenge, and that color is inspired by the fabric of a happy top that I love to see her in, and that fabric was the inspiration for a pretty pendant that I sent to her as a gift, how could I possibly say no?

Simple Truths pendant I created just for Heather... to see what she made, hop on over to her blog
Humblebeads
The quote on that pendant is from the writings of Kahlil Gibran. Someplace I have the copy of The Prophet that my mother had in college. I can remember reading through that book over and over again. As a young teen I kept journals filled with poetry, song lyrics and quotes, including things that I wrote myself. I really should dig those out. I am sure that most of it was pretty trite and angst-y, but it really hints at where I have come from and why I do what I do. In Heather's reveal post she said that I have the heart of a poet. That is one of the finest compliments I think I have ever been given. And it might be because I didn't start working on all of this until after 10pm (the hazards of parking your butt on a bleacher every night of the week) and didn't get finished until after 1am (I am a glutton for punishment and my procrastination knows no bounds), but it made me all misty-eyed this beautiful day.

So to honor my friend, and to share what I made, I will just leave you with the words that inspired my pendant and sum up my feelings for her perfectly (emphasis and slight adjustment to gender, mine).
On Friendship
 Kahlil Gibran
Your friend is your needs answered.
She is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And she is your board and your fireside.
For you come to her with your hunger, and you seek her for peace.
Named for the Indian elephant, Indiraja, who leads the ceremonial procession of one of Buddhism’s most significant festivals, the Kandy Esala Perahera in Sri Lanka. The 10-day parade centered on Kandy’s Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the elephants trusted for the procession wear elaborate costumes.
Do you see the elephant in this pendant from my friend Vlad at Golem Studio?

When your friend speaks her mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when she is silent your heart ceases not to listen to her heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in her may be clearer in her absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.


A sweet little cream enameled bird floats in a swirly Marsha Neal Studios sky.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
A Simple Truths Wanderlust pennant with the message from Tolkien 'not all who wander are lost' on the back paired with gunmetal and old gold accents.

And let your best be for your friend.
If she must know the ebb of your tide, let her know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek her with hours to kill?
Seek her always with hours to live.
For it is hers to fill your need, but not your emptiness.



And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

15 comments:

peacockfairy said...

Oh my gosh - just lovely! I love Wandering Gypsy!!!

Terri said...

Way cool pieces! Loving the friendship theme you incorporated into your pieces. I'm hard pressed to select a favorite. You are one talented lady!

Tanya said...

When I clicked on your blog and saw the banner, I thought, "I have to go back and find that necklace." Little did I know it was waiting for me in the post. :)

Those are all fabulous. I love how you take the beads and match them. The colors in the first necklace are fabulous, but u am in love with the "Wild blue" piece. I could never have made those beads work together ad you do it so effortlessly!

Kari Asbury said...

Gorgeous as always Miss Erin! It is always a treat to peruse your blog posts and see all the delights you share. I agree with Heather...you definitely have a poets heart and it shines in all that you do! Thanks so much for sharing another wonderful journey of your inspiration.

Silver Parrot said...

Amazing designs as always, Miss Erin! I thought the blue/bird one was going to be my favorite and then I scrolled down and saw the pink/triangle one and I loved that, too and now I can't decide! Gorgeous!

Malin de Koning said...

Erin, I love all three of them. They are beautiful. But for some reason the Into the Wild Blue one particularly appeals to me. I really love every little thing about it. The beads from Michaels that you picked, and how you distributed them. The choice of in between beads and how you placed them. The overall color scheme. Marsha's pendant with the little bird there, so perfect. The clasp even. Everything comes together in a perfect harmony. You are the queen of necklaces Erin! I bow myself.

Rosanne said...


All I have to say Erin, is...I have a birthday coming up (wink,wink). Those are just gorgeous pieces and you are so talented in so many ways.
You keep me inspired.

Unknown said...

I`m in love with the first necklace! Your layout is elegant and organic. Everything is beautiful!

Firefly Design Studio said...

Beautiful words to go along with your beautiful jewelry creations!

Sarajo Wentling said...

Such a sweet post Miss Erin! You and Heather are both lucky to have such special friends in each other. Love all of your pieces (as always!) but I'm especially taken by your Wandering Gypsy necklace. Fabulous!

Alison Adorns said...

Fantastic creations! The Into the Blue spoke to me, it leapt off the page and tugged at my soul! Your work seams to magically come to life in your amazing photographs!

Mary Harding said...

Fabulous pieces Erin. Wonderful essay on friendship. Love the way you incorporated the friendship thoughts into your pieces. You are so incredibly talented and poetic!!

Shai Williams said...

I have to agreed with Heather. You do have the soul of a poet with your grace and love of words. Just love both necklace but that Wandering Gypsy is enough to make any gypsy dance with joy. As always, seeing your jewelry always being a smile to my face.

CraftyHope said...

I'm not one for a large group of friends either so I totally feel you! What a wonderful thing to have a friend, no matter the distance.
As for your pieces, they are lovely! I especially like that last one in all it's triangular awesomeness. And the fact that you have a Tolkien quote on the other side steals my heart (I'm quite the fan). Beautiful work.

Andrew Thornton said...

Great pieces! All three of them! They've got so much YOU in them! Nicely done!

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin