Gem Stories: Pearl

Wind Horse, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
freshwater pearl, sterling silver chain, wire and horse charm

Pearls are the traditional birthstone for people born in the month of June. Originally harvested wild from oceans and rivers, pearls have captured our imagination for centuries. Many cultures have associated its luminous glow with the moon goddess, and knights in the Middle Ages even wore pearls into battle as a symbol of protection. One of my favorite stories from China is the belief that pearls fall from the sky when dragons fight in the clouds.

Beyond the wonderful stories is the simple beauty embodied in a pearl, which seems to have an uncanny power to attract love. Not only does a pearl symbolize the love offered between two people, but it also signifies that openness to receive the affection given.

Moonflower: Light & Hope

Moonflower, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): fine silver flower charm

Blooming at night, a moonflower unfurls its gleaming white petals and evocative fragrance into the darkness. Inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings, this moonflower is the perfect symbol for the soul’s creative potential to find hope within darkness.

Wear Georgia’s moonflower and celebrate the joy found within.

Cotopaxi & Transformation

Cotopaxi, Frederic Edwin Church, 1862, oil on canvas

The month of June has flown by, and I wasn't sure I had the right inspiration for Art Bead Scene's Monthly Challenge, but something exciting occurred the other day and a light bulb went off in my head.

I was feeling trapped by the conformity of my yoga class. The discipline and patience that it requires triggered a feeling akin to being a domesticated animal cut off from something natural. The only way I could describe the enormity of this sensation was to seek out a painting that embodied what I was wanting to be in that moment. It didn't take long for my mind to remember an artwork that I spent hours standing in front of at in the Detroit Institute of Arts -- Cotopaxi by Frederic Edwin Church.

If I could be any painting in the world, this is the image that I would want to represent my soul -- lush, untamed wilderness in constant transformation, flowing, and alive with new possibilities.

Cotopaxi, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
ruby, carnelian, citrine, sterling chain and wire,
and fine silver firebird or phoenix charm

I wanted to create a necklace that used the fiery colors from Cotopaxi and symbolized the transformation that is taking place within me -- the struggle between understanding the terrifying power of one's free spirit and the desire to connect through community.

Marcelle Lender Dancing the Bolero in "Chilpéric," 1895–96.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, oil on canvas

As I was imagining my new necklace, it occurred to me that the painting by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec for Art Bead Scene's June Monthly Challenge has a very similar color palette and the feisty subject matter could almost be seen as Cotopaxi brought to life through dance.

Cotopaxi, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
ruby, carnelian, citrine, sterling chain and wire,
and fine silver firebird or phoenix charm

What fun to see a connection between two vastly different paintings! I needed a charm to bring the two images together and for me Hint Jewelry's firebird always calls to mind a Spanish dancer. Keeping with my fiery theme I chose simple colors to represent the burning sky in Cotopaxi and the vibrant Bolero dancers.

Cotopaxi, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
ruby, carnelian, citrine, sterling chain and wire,
and fine silver firebird or phoenix charm

Latin flavors, fiestas, flamenco dancers...oh how I wish I was a fire sign!

Cotopaxi, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
ruby, carnelian, citrine, sterling chain and wire,
and fine silver firebird or phoenix charm

I also decided to use up the last of my delicate chain with the tiny sterling balls. It feels so decorative and Victorian that I thought it would add some romance to this piece.

Cotopaxi, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
ruby, carnelian, citrine, sterling chain and wire,
and fine silver firebird or phoenix charm

Finding a place within yourself that expresses your true nature is so healing and being able to say what I am feeling by pointing to a painting like Cotopaxi is utterly liberating.

Have you seen an artwork that best represents what your soul would look like? Maybe it changes as you grow so perhaps you have many artworks to share. I'd love to see what you look like on the inside :)

Sara Riddle: Heart on her Sleeve Photography

Cece & Bella, photography by Sara Riddle

My goal in life is to be like my dogs --
to live in the moment, wear my heart
on my sleeve and love unconditionally.
- Sara Riddle

To know Sara Riddle is to welcome in bright light. She reminds me of a firefly twinkling out in the night sky, promising play and infinite laughter. You can't help but see Sara's amazing spirit layered into each of her wondrous photos of animals and their human companions. It's the kind of photography that screams "she's got the eye." The eye that catches the deeper messages in a simple glance or movement. I am deeply lucky to know Sara and to be able to delight in her work and beloved relationships with animals.

If you love an animal in your life and live on the East Coast, I hope you invite Sara Riddle to create a lasting memento of your relationship.

Johnny Cash & June Carter series, photography by Sara Riddle

Can you believe these eyes?

Luke & Lacey series, photography by Sara Riddle

You just know this doggy has happy thoughts!

Coconut & Peanut Butter series, photography by Sara Riddle

To capture that expression when you feel a parting...sweet happy sadness

Christine Damm's Bracelet for Villa

Villa's Bracelet, Christine Damm

The other day I checked Christine Damm's Blog Stories They Tell to see if she had finished her sister-in-law Villa's healing charm bracelet. Oh my gosh it's incredible! Just look at all those different charms that were brought together in one circle, and my favorite part is the colorful cascade of stones that remind me of cleansing rain drops or comforting tears.

The whole is more than the sum of its parts.
Aristotle, Metaphysica

The coming together of parts to make an amazing pattern is one of the most powerful ways to experience the creative life force surging through all of us. Christine's heart did this amazing thing by inviting other people to her circle and allowing each person to participate in this moment of healing. Villa's bracelet reminds me of a Ring Shout -- a dance ritual practiced by West African slaves where call-and-response singing and movement took place in the form of a circle. Each charm seems to call out its own healing to Villa, and I am touched to be among these beautiful voices singing their peace.

Many thanks to Christine Damm for opening up a giving space and many blessings to Villa for her comfort and healing.

Eclipse: Surrendering to Relationship

Eclipse, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): silver eclipse charm

Relationship is a fragile union between dark and light, allowing one to momentarily eclipse the other in a celestial dance. Let obscurity become the perfect offering as you surrender to the burning light of another.

Happy Father's Day!

Everybody has a father.

More importantly, everybody has those special men in their lives who allow them the opportunity to experience and learn from masculinity.

Some of my greatest teachers have been the men who have graced my life. I post this video in appreciation for the courageous lion-men that make their home with me. Many thanks for all the gifts you have shared!

Daisy: Sunny Innocence

Morning Star, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): silver daisy flower charm

Daisies
Wide-eye dreamers
dressed in crisp, white collars
you light the morning with your
sunny centers and
innocent smiles.

Summer Stunner: Lorelei Eurto

Bracelet, Lorelei Eurto
Felted wool beads: TangBaby. Ceramic beads: MyKonos Greek Beads
Lucite: Snapcrafty. Pressed-glass beads and silver space: FusionBeads.
Fine silver charms: Hint Jewelry

Last year when jewelry designer Lorelei Eurto sent me this photograph and told me the bracelet was accepted in the Summer 2010 issue of Stringing, I got so excited. There nestled among all these juicy beads was my Messenger and Plum Blossom charms. It's such a neat design with the mixture of felt, ceramic, Lucite, silver, and glass. Plus these vibrant colors are some of my warm weather favorites and remind me of a summer fruit salad or a bouquet of fresh cut flowers.

Stringing 2010 is a beautiful issue, and if I had to choose a few designs that I keep coming back to it would have to be Melanie Brook's Love's Beauty, Cynthia Deis' Elaine Ray's Garden (oh my gosh, this is amazing!), Sharon Palac Enchanted Pathway, and Lorelei Eurto Tweet Wishes.

Have you received your issue yet? Have you seen any beauties that speak to you?










I didn't want to miss showing an up close picture of this cool Lucite bead that Lorelei found at Snapcrafty on Etsy. Isn't it intriguing how the flowers in the Messenger and Plum Blossom charms complement the floral design in this vintage looking bead?

Behind the Scenes: Photography Set Up for Jewelry

I'm a novice photographer so any knowledge in this post is from play and experimentation. Bottom line...I have no technical expertise in photography :)

Nevertheless, I thought it might be fun to share my funny set up and learn what other people have discovered about doing jewelry photography.



I've seen a lot of light boxes out there that are nifty and easy to make from cardboard or plastic boxes. However, after experiencing a lot of disappointment photographing college artwork, I decided to invest in an EZcube Light Box. If you are committed to photographing your work on a constant basis, this investment pays off in the long run because your pictures are better, people can understand your work more clearly, and things sell more rapidly.

Also, don't underestimate the value of good lighting. I tried the outdoors and several other light sources, but after much experimentation I found that photographing my silver charms under EZcube's Daylight 30 Watt bulbs to be the option I liked best. I bought them about two years ago and they are still running. More importantly, I don't work my schedule around Portland weather or the time of day for when I want to take photographs.

Even though I photograph during the day, I have found that if I wait until night when the room is completely dark and turn on only one bulb, I get photographs that have a deeper sense of color and reflection.

From the photo, you can see my set up is rather comical and all culled from stuff in our garage: portable lamps, plastic chairs and a small table.

Here are some other tips that seem to make things run smoother:

1. I tried to create white space outside the EZcube so light reflects back into the box. I used anything that I could find lying around my house: white construction paper, blank white canvas, and a white towel.

2. I also put a book inside the EZcube to create a flat surface and to raise my jewelry up a little bit. For some reason this has made it easier to photograph with a tripod.

3. I use a tripod so that my camera stays completely still and will create sharper images in any lighting condition.




Though set up is important, honestly nothing makes photographs sing like a great digital camera. After much research and talking to other artists I settled on a Canon PowerShot G10. I LOVE IT!! It's simple to use, I get great color, the scene settings are easy to understand, the macro feature functions well, and the software works perfectly with my Mac.

I'd love to hear about your makeshift photography studios and find out any more tips that might make this aspect of my business more successful.

For musings on running a jewelry business, check out my entire Behind the Scenes blog series.

Enjoying the Return

Returning, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
silver lotus blossom charm, sterling silver chain and wire,
mixed tourmaline, labradorite, rosy gray freshwater pearls, and silk thread

Remember my pigeons from last month? Their colorful inspiration finally wove its way into one of my jewelry designs.

Portland Pigeon, Beth Hemmila

Look at this amazing tawny, rose colored beauty! She arrived just the other day post-necklace design, and now I may have to do another one based on her...endless sources of inspiration :)

Returning, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
silver lotus blossom charm, sterling silver chain and wire,
mixed tourmaline, labradorite, rosy gray freshwater pearls, and silk thread

I felt like there were so many layers to these pigeons that they called for something more elaborate, so I found a strand of rosy, lavender gray knotted pearls languishing in my bead box and paired it together with mixed tourmaline gemstones, labradorites, and a large lotus pendant.

Returning, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
silver lotus blossom charm, sterling silver chain and wire,
mixed tourmaline, labradorite, rosy gray freshwater pearls, and silk thread

Much to my neighbor's dismay these pigeons return to my yard every day to feed on scraps left behind by the squirrels and other birds. What am I to do? I even changed the food to only sunflower seeds to appease my saddened birding friend, but the pigeons seem to have adapted to the new spread. I feel like they see my yard as some kind of home base -- a safe haven.

Returning, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
silver lotus blossom charm, sterling silver chain and wire,
mixed tourmaline, labradorite, rosy gray freshwater pearls, and silk thread

I sort of like this idea that my small plot of untamed urban landscape, with a tree standing firm in the center and a Buddha watching over it from the back corner has become a sanctuary for our neighborhood pigeons. A place they enjoy returning to every day.

Returning, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
silver lotus blossom charm, sterling silver chain and wire,
mixed tourmaline, labradorite, rosy gray freshwater pearls, and silk thread

What a joy it is to see the pigeons return, to watch the rascally squirrels cavort with them, and the neighborhood cats gaze longingly from atop the wooden fence. It has been a divine experience...better then anything I could have imagined :)

Heirloom Memory Necklace: May 2010

Memory Necklace 2010, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry)
silver charms: lotus blossom, tree of life, flaming heart milagro, and cross
materials: aquamarine, carnelian, turquoise, lemon quartz, peridot,
prehnite, garnet, brown pearl sterling silver chain and wire, and gold filled wire

One word describes what May was like for me...

rain

Gosh, I know that sounds silly coming from a person who lives in Portland, Oregon where rain is on the agenda, but this year it felt different. Apparently, I wasn't alone for the weatherman agrees that we had some record breaking cold and sogginess last month.

sterling silver soldered wire chain and brainstorming sketch

I don't know how to describe the feeling, but at one point the rain broke me down, and I began to give up and give in. For the first time, I felt as if I truly recognized an environment as a living and breathing thing. I became one with the rain.

When I was first dating my husband, he shared with me his favorite book -- Ken Kesey's Sometimes a Great Notion. In the spirit of curiosity, I stumbled my way through this great novel about a family of loggers living in Oregon. I look back now and chuckle, because throughout the whole read, Kesey has this way of making you feel wet, muddy, cold, and wrecked. I thought he was exaggerating, but really he took a story and magically put the feeling of Oregon into words.

sterling silver soldered wire chain and knotted brown freshwater pearls

Last month I had to learn to stop lamenting the absence of sun and begin to look for the joy in rain. I wrote about puddles, the sound of raindrops, and a spontaneous thunderstorm. I took pleasure in wet leaves, spilling water, and moody clouds.

To remember my rainy May I added some silver wire wrapped drops to my chain of soldered metal circles to create a new layer in my Memory necklace.

Memory Necklace 2010, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry)
silver charms: lotus blossom, tree of life, flaming heart milagro, and cross
materials: aquamarine, carnelian, turquoise, lemon quartz, peridot,
prehnite, garnet, brown pearl sterling silver chain and wire, and gold filled wire

I think the best part of this new soldered chain addition is connecting with the feeling that something had been missing, and now I'm starting to see how balance will gradually evolve over time -- piece by piece.

Returning

Empty your mind of all thoughts.

Let your heart be at peace.

Watch the turmoil of beings,

But contemplate their return.

- Tao Te Ching
written by Lao-tzu
translation Stephen Mitchell

Dolphin: Life Force & Healer

Prana, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): silver ocean dolphin charm

Prana, mighty life force and healer, come swim next to me in the borderland. Open my body to spaciousness and touch the places that hurt so as to lead me back to the sound of myself -- the feeling that sings without knowing why.

Finding Balance without Fixing

Day 47 of my 120 Day Challenge, and I have become intimately aware of how often I try to force balance on the outside world. I'm one of those people that straightens crooked pictures in homes and offices when no one is looking. I can't help myself...why should the world be askew when I can make it balanced?

Remember when you were little and you and your friend would go up and down on the seesaw, gradually exchanging the balance of power? Remember those moments when your friend would leave you hanging up in the air, ungrounded, and helpless? You felt like you had no choice. They were in control of you being up or down.

When you were released from this state of unknowing, perhaps you became curious and chose to create this feeling of helplessness in another where you determined all the outcomes. Your teeter-totter goes back and forth -- one above and one below -- where trust is the fulcrum and choice is hanging by a thread.

This way of experimenting with balance has left me feeling on edge for I'm always believing in a future moment where trust could be broken. When I realize that my groundlessness is a strategy for another to feel grounded, and my helplessness is a way for my friend to feel less helpless, then trust seems unnecessary.

I am beginning to understand that true balance comes from knowing that whatever discomfort I am feeling is the message of connection sent by another. When I feel the feeling and create wholeness from recognizing it in another, I no longer have to fix the chaos of my external world to feel balanced and at peace.

Praise as a Path

Blessed Assurance, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
sterling, pearl, apatite, and silver angel wing charm

My favorite church hymn is Blessed Assurance. In fact, I use to beg our choir director to let us sing as often as possible. Luckily she humored me!

The first time I heard this hymn was during the movie Places in the Heart, and I've never forgotten how the message of this song was deeply embedded into the fabric of the story.

Blessed Assurance, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
sterling, pearl, apatite, and silver angel wing charm

As humans we are both fragile and resilient. Often I find it hard to remember that this subtle grace is part of my nature. Blessed Assurance is the song that always brings me back to center -- a place where praise is a path leading me back to my true self.

Each action in itself rejoices in creation. So when praise is met with awareness, blessed assurance is as easy as taking your next breath.

Behind the Scenes: Revisiting Failure

When I took metalsmithing in college, my soldering was a mess. I chalked it up as a personal failure and threw soldering in the bin with all the other techniques I swore never to attempt again.

Fast forward fifteen years to a place in my life where I realized how silly it was not to master a good soldering join. Challenging myself to move towards the things that I resist, last weekend I embarked on a one day soldering workshop and revisited this essential metalsmithing technique.

Not only did I have tons of fun, but I noticed that since abandoning this technique every other thing I have done from knitting to taking bellydance classes contributed to a better result this time around.


I can imagine lots of reasons why I felt like my first attempts at soldering were a failure, but mostly I just wasn't open to the process. Last weekend I was a part of a classroom of three women who were lighthearted and was blessed with a teacher that had lots of neat tips like creating this channel in the firebrick to separate the soldered rings from the soon to be soldered.



Everything was easy and flowed. While it was happening, I realized my new experience wasn't coming from natural talent, but it was because I had fine tuned my dexterity and focus through all sorts of other endeavors like welding and yoga. This time around I was excited to plop my newly soldered rings into the pickle and then reform into circles using a mandrel and rawhide mallet.



What came out of this class for me was more valuable then feeling successful about soldering, rather I came to understand that in every moment my present learning is always informing all processes. When I think I have abandoned something because I thought it was a failure, there is always the possibility that I have learned how to do it better through other means. So if I really want to, I can always try again and know I will see new results.

Nothing you have done is ever lost to you, so I hope you take a chance, revisit failure, and delight in seeing new growth!