Day 16,925: The Process

Since I have resumed wrapping, I've definitely noticed a shift in my style.  The copper has inspired it.  Maybe even required it.  Hard to tell.  We're still getting to know each other.

I never predesign.  It never works.  Instead, I sit with the stone.  I stare at the wire.  I wait for a hunch.  Only then do I move forward.  Intuition leads the way. 

What I think a pendant will look like when I begin is usually nowhere near what it looks like at the end.  If I'm doing it right, there will be at least one point, typically halfway through, when I find myself convinced that the design won't hold and that everything up to that point has been a waste of time and wire. 

But guess what ...

It always holds.  It's never a waste.  It's all about trust.  A constant reminder to keep moving forward anyway, for which I am so grateful.

Day 16.923: Grumpitude

When I find myself worried, sad or grumpy, I make myself sit down here, at my workbench.  Just sit.  I don't touch anything while in that state.  I certainly don't try to make anything either.  I simply sit. And then I breathe.  No rush at all.  Taking my time.  Breathing in, then breathing out.  Eventually, I start to sense the energy of the crystals in the room like a warm blanket put around me by someone who holds me dear.  As I sit there, breathing and basking, I feel everything within and around me start to soften and transform.  Out the window with the help of burning sage goes whatever needs to go.  Through this releasing and relaxing, I am left refreshed and renewed.  And for the experience as a whole, I am left feeling so very grateful.

Day 16,920: Magic Beans for SARA

Yesterday was the first day of the Magic Beans Auction for the Shelter Animal Reiki Association (SARA).  I have nine sterling silver/gemstone pendants and eight pairs of sterling silver earrings, all handwrapped by me, up for bids.  The auction ends at noon (Eastern Time) on Sunday, February 12.  The winning bids (less $5 for shipping and handling) will go to support the outreach efforts of SARA (the wonderful non-profit organization through which I teach Reiki).  After just one day, the leading bids totalled $290.  Less the shipping and handling on the 11 pieces with bids ($55), there was already $235 earmarked for SARA.  More bids have been placed through the day today.  And there are still 10 days to go!  I hope that you will consider bidding.

The newest pendants wrapped in copper wire are up in the Etsy shop.  I look forward to having pieces available at the Reiki Room of Dayton in the weeks ahead.  I am so happy and grateful to once again be getting these gems out in the world to work their magic.  Thanks as always for your support!

Day 16.917: Transformations Too

A few years ago, I happened upon this trailer for a documentary about Frank Ferrante's incredible transformation with the help of a gratitude practice, raw food, holistic therapies, and (most importantly, in my humble opinition) supportive friends.  Donations were requested to complete the film and being one who loves to tithe toward good creative works and positive messages in this world, I happily sent a check.  Not only did I receive a "thank you" copy of the finished product (yay!), but my name is in the credits with other contributors.  I am flattered.  I am honored.  And I am so very grateful to have played a very small part in this sweet film with a big heart.  It's making its way around the country.  I do hope that you get the opportunity to see it and maybe even meet Frank!

Day 16,916: Transformations

As I'm sure I've mentioned before, my daughter will graduate from high school in May and, just a few months later, leave for the college she's already chosen.  We drove there yesterday, departing the house an hour before dawn to reach the campus in time for a financial aid meeting.  The long stretch of Appalachian Highway between here and there provides ample time and symbolic landscape to inspire contemplation upon the sweet transformation at hand and to come. The photo above captures the first breath of sunrise and, evidently, a good omen for the day ahead.  This trip literally paid off in a $1000 scholarship ... three were raffled as door prizes and our daughter had one lucky ticket!  The late afternoon westbound drive toward home provided stunning blue skies and bright sunshine, along with wind gusts that dang near blew us off the road.  "Don't get complacent or take your good fortune for granted," it seemed to say.  Message heard loud and clear.  And for all of this, I am so grateful.

Back home again, I am focused on preparing to launch a fundraiser for SARA on February 1st (details coming soon), posting the new pendants to Etsy (love, love, loving the copper wire), and spending more time actually sketching in my sketchbook journal (field trip for such on the horizon).  Big week ahead!

Day 16,911: Class Announcement

Phoebe and Garrett love to lay beside the fire.  The only thing that they love more is to be on the receiving end of Reiki.  In my humble opinion, of course.  I'm more than a little biased, but over this years there has been a lot of evidence to back up my claim.

I am delighted to announce that I will be teaching my first Reiki I/Reiki for Animals class on Saturday, February 25 and Sunday, February 26 (from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day).  This is a very cozy, casual class taught from my home.  There are usually 1-3 students, but space for a maximum of 5.  The one-on-one classes are particularly special, if you are lucky enough to get one.  We begin by learning how to treat ourselves and then how to treat other people.  On the second day we review what we learned the previous day and then focus on how we can treat animals in a variety of settings.  Light refreshments are provided and each day never fails to end on an energetic high note from all of the practice.

If you would like learn more about Reiki, start here:

http://www.magicbeansworkshop.com/whatisreiki.html

Or learn more about my Reiki journey (don't miss the video!):

http://www.magicbeansworkshop.com/reiki.html

And finally the class announcement:

http://www.magicbeansworkshop.com/february2012.html

The registration deadline is Saturday, February 18.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!

Day 16,910: Stolen Moments

Today I am so grateful for what can be accomplished in stolen moments. I know I have talked about this before. Probably many times. It never ceases to amaze me what can manifest in a mere 20 minutes. A coffee break with my journal on the small scale or my lunch hour with crystals and wire. Excuses be damned. I can do this. (And so can YOU!)

There may never be the great swaths of time that I have been hoping for or they may come few and far between. So I am learning to make opportunities to make art. The more I get, the more I want. On this day of a million shades of brown and gray, I fed myself with color. Caran D'Ache water-soluable wax pastels and a blank journal page were all I needed. I don't think I could've felt any better with drugs.