Thursday, November 29, 2012

Wind Chimes






As sun rose in the early dawn
And skies were lit with gold,
I saw the clouds go passing by
And watched my dreams unfold,
For as the morning breeze did blow
It softly spoke to me,
The wind chime played the sweetest song
A graceful melody.

I rested in the leafy shade
Whilst there I thought of you,
I closed my eyes and there I wished
That you were with me too,
And as the noontime breeze did blow
Across the summer sky,
The wind chime played the sweetest song
That through the air did fly.

As shadows started falling
On the dark deserted ground,
I heard a gentle ringing then
So beautiful the sound,
For as the evening breeze did blow
And glowing sun did set,
The wind chime played the sweetest song
I never shall forget.

I watched the fading afterglow
That slowly slipped away,
Beneath the dark horizon far
To close another day,
And as the twilight breeze did blow
And stars did shine above,
The wind chime playrd the sweetest song
The sweetest song of love. 
By Andrew Blakemore

                                                    

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Full Moon




Sterling, Moonstone


Slowly, silently, now the moon 
Walks the night in her silver shoon; 
This way, and that, she peers, and sees 
Silver fruit upon silver trees; 
One by one the casements catch 
Her beams beneath the silvery thatch; 
Couched in his kennel, like a log, 
With paws of silver sleeps the dog; 
From their shadowy coat the white breasts peep 
Of doves in a silver-feathered sleep; 
A harvest mouse goes scampering by, 
With silver claws, and silver eye; 
And moveless fish in the water gleam, 
By silver reeds in a silver stream.

- Walter de la Mare 

Monday, November 19, 2012

Lions and Tigers and Bears..Oh My

Emily Carr - Totem Mother Kitawancool 1928

Okay..so maybe not the lions and tigers but definitely bears.  

And the odd hare here and there.  

I've been working on a number of projects here, furiously working away these days.  An urgent gnawing at my creative bone the last few weeks and thankfully I've been finding the time here and there to keep up with myself.  The housework has gone a little neglected but I figure, at the end of the day, a happy Tina makes everyone's life a little easier to handle.  I can just see my friend T's head nodding enthusiastically at that..after many, many years of working and traveling together, he, of all people will readily agree that keeping me rested and well fed is the foundation to a compatible friendship.  

( ..if you're reading this post..I miss you!)  

Life lately has been throwing some curve balls in the form of some nice, juicy sour lemons his way.  Too fast and frequent to keep up with trying to make them into lemonade..hopefully a reprise soon.  
I will no doubt be receiving a scathing message in the next little while for mentioning him here.  In fact I'm counting on it..hopefully it'll fuel his drive to deal with all the obstacles as of late xo.

So as I was saying..

I've been busy lately.  
Maybe I should rephrase that to say that I've been busier than usual lately because my days of not being busy I think, are long over.  Some days have been so insane from morning till night that I've looked at myself in the mirror at the end of the day, flyaway hair..my face void of any makeup, and wanted to give myself a great big hug for being so damn fantastic.  But rather then risk getting caught standing there hugging myself, I leaned in close to the mirror until the tip of my nose was barely touching the glass 
and whispered,
"you're awesome".  

Because sometimes you need to hear it out loud.  

It makes it more real that way.

And the trick is, you have to believe yourself 100%.

Maybe that's why I've been creating totems lately, because when time is so precious in a busy life, it somehow makes creating something meaningful in that time more important.  
That's not to say that non-totem items are less meaningful..I create them because they have meaning to me and when you read the stories behind my work and feel a connection and draw to them, it's an incredible feeling for me to pack that item up and send it off to you.  
But these totems are a little different.  
You're not reacting to my stories or experiences..they call out to you because they've found in you, 
in your own experiences 
a home to call their own.  

The belief that an object, when infused with the right energy and created with faith can heal and protect oneself from harm and negativity, is really quite magical when you think about it.

Sterling & Coral 


Sterling & Boulder Opal

Magical.

Just one word that holds within it so much power, mystery and infinite wisdom.

A totem is as magical as you believe it to be.

More totems will be available in my shop this week.

Happy Monday everyone, it's a beautiful November day here!

xo Blue Gnome






Friday, November 16, 2012

Come Dance With The West Wind


Sterling & Natural Baltic Amber Pendant


I am the eagle, I live in high country
In rocky cathedrals that reach to the sky
I am the hawk and there's blood on my feathers
But time is still turning they soon will be dry
And all of those who see me, all who believe in me
Share in the freedom I feel when I fly

Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountain tops
Sail over the canyons and up to the stars
And reach for the heavens and hope for the future
And all that we can be and not what we are.
- John Denver and Mike Taylor

Available on Monday in my little shop.

Have a glorious weekend everyone!

xo Blue Gnome

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Unconditional Love


It's a beautiful night tonight. 
 Hovering just above zero, the night is still and dark..and as the street lights try to cast ominous shadows as we walk down the deserted sidewalk
I am not afraid.  
And why would I be?  I have by my side, my constant companion, my side kick and my biggest fan.  Weighing in at just over 120lbs, my fuzzy soulmate comes with her own luxurious fur coat, white boots and a kick ass attitude. 
 It's a rare occasion these days that the two of us girls can enjoy a leisurely stroll and she sighs happily as we walk along the empty streets, both of our breaths visible in the frosty night air.

Not even a year ago, it was me and Sachi..Sachi and me.  
Somehow being totally attuned to my growing belly and increasing discomfort, this time last year we were waddling along on these very streets, Sachi walking slowly to accommodate my "condition", stopping every now and then to shoot me an impatient glance, sighing in resignation.





My fur baby is turning 6 in 4 days.

This past year has been the most challenging for Sachi. 
 In January we welcomed Leo, 11 days early he caught us all by surprise.  These past 10 months have been a challenge for all of us.  From waking up every hour for feedings to waiting patiently for me to figure out how to bend over to pick up her poop with a newborn strapped to me in a carrier..Sachi has been with me each and every day.  
She's watched as the attention that was once showered upon her got diverted, she's waited patiently while her water bowl sometimes went empty and her dinner late as I fluttered around the kitchen catering to a 18 lb tyrant screaming for his dinner.  
Her grooming schedule has gotten interrupted, her nails have gone for weeks without a proper trim..she waits patiently and silently until the wee monster has gone off to bed..then she brings me her most prized possession, her purple bear
for comfort.
As I settle wearily onto the couch for the first time in 12 hours, she nudges me gently and lays by my feet.  Licking my socks, she leans against my legs and tucks her nose under my feet, sighing happily.  

My biggest fan..and I often wonder what I've done to deserve such unconditional love. 

For all of us who have been fortunate enough to have been chosen by a dog to be their life companion. 

We are the lucky ones.  

For all they do for us, let us make sure that we're deserving of their loyalty and love.



Do you have a furry family member who's seen you through your best and worst?  
I'd love to hear about them..have you given them a hug today?

xo Blue Gnome




Saturday, November 10, 2012

11th Month, 11th Day, 11th Hour


http://dashorst.deviantart.com/

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

- John McCrae

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Hope Is The Thing With Feathers




 Sterling, Botswana Agate


Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

Emily Dickinson








Friday, November 2, 2012

And the winner is..


A big THANK YOU for all the blog and email entries for the fall giveaway!  
Some amazing comments and all such kind words about my work.  I'm absolutely touched..without you, I wouldn't be able to continue doing what I love to do and your feedback means everything.

So without further delay..


..and I've decided that I'd draw another as a runner up!  
This creation will be a surprise..


Congratulations ladies!  
I'd love to hear from you via email regarding your ring sizes and mailing addresses!  Please contact me directly..

With Halloween past I guess the next big event on our calendars will be..Christmas??  

Unbelievable.

There will be new items filtering into the shop in the next few days and a holiday shopping sale planned!  Looking forward to seeing you soon!

xo Blue Gnome