PMC Class

This last weekend I had the pleasure of attending Catherine Witherell's PMC class she offered to a small group of people in her home studio in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have taken two PMC classes but have never returned home wanting to purchase a kiln and start designing with PMC.

This past weekend's class changed my mind. I learned so much from Catherine, the experience gave me the confidence I needed to take the plunge and order a kiln. Catherine is an incredible artist and excellent teacher who shares so much with her students. I would highly recommend Catherine's classes to anyone. She will be teaching at Artfest in April.

Everyone busy at play. The internet certainly makes this world we live in seem alot smaller. Across the table from me in Catherine's class sat a woman I had never seen before. But shortly after I arrived she, Sue Gore, introduced herself and mentioned that she and I had corresponded through the internet last year. She and her family were visiting the states from Australia and the timing worked perfectly for she and her daughter to take the class. It was great meeting her face to face.

While I was in the Bay Area, I had to visit one of my favorite shops - Tail of the Yak in Berkeley on Ashby Street. My son first introduced me to this charming place and he and I would visit almost every time I would visit him when he still lived in Berkeley. I picked up a few irresistable treats including some bars of very scrumptious honey soap. They have a fantastic collection of Santos dolls.  If you are visiting the Berkeley area and are looking for a charming place to stay, I stayed at the Garden Cottage B & B.

My year is starting out very exciting with several new adventures on the horizons which I will share at another time. For now I must get busy on other paperwork so that I am not up to the wee hours of the morning. Take care and thank you for stopping by for a visit.

"The true object of all human life is play." ~G.K. Chesterton

Harmony

A new year and new beginnings....a time for reflection and examination of intentions for the days ahead. This year I, like so many, have decided to focus on a single word instead of a list of resolutions or goals.

The word and mantra I will embrace in 2009 will be "harmony". When selecting my word my first thought was "balance".....I have been attempting to achieve balance in my life for sometime now and have made but little progress. The word "harmony" seemed to express within its seven letters the equality I would like to ascertain in my lifetime. Harmony\Har"mo*ny\ 1. The just adaptation of parts to each other, in any system or combination of things, or in things intended to form a connected whole; such an agreement between the different parts of a design or composition as to produce unity of effect; as, the harmony of the universe.

I found it inspiring that similar words to harmony were: accord, agreement, attunement, balance, beauty, bliss, chime, closeness, coaction, collaboration, common effort, communion, compatibility, compliance, consistency, dynamic symmetry, elegance, fitness, flexibility, joining of forces, liberty in tranquillity, love, meeting of minds, medoliousness, mutual regard, observance, one voice, peace, pulling together, quiet, rapport, reconciliation, respect, rhythm, self-consistency, symbiosis, synergism, team spirit, togetherness, understanding, union, united action and unity. Yes, I would like all of those things, thank you very much. Powerful words and intentions.

I am guilty of focusing so strongly, so passionately, on one area of my life (even if it is something I love like art) while other aspects of my life take the back seat. Then finally I am blessed with a wake up call and the universe whispers in my ear the reality of the situation and nudges my spirit to re-examine my intentions. This past year I did receive such a wake up call and it's not the first time. I just completed 5 weeks of physical therapy and, as a result, am determined to make myself (whole self) a priority. I know that if I can achieve a greater symmetry of mind, spirit and body, I will be successful in accomplishing one of my life's yearnings and purposes. In 2009 I intend to give back to myself, honor myself, embrace my life and be grateful for every day. Do you have harmony in your life?

To re-affirm my daily intentions, I have created two talismans which will serve to empower me upon this journey. One such talisman is a mantra piece of jewelry which I can wear as a bracelet or necklace. I was introduced to the idea of such a piece of jewelry by Nina as she featured a beautiful one on her blog and etsy last year. I fashioned mine with vintage, ivory colored pearls (I am now of the "vintage" variety, yet full of luster and polished with my life experiences); copper, brass and silver African beads (signifying the unity in diversity); Swarovski rhinestone rondells (the sparkle I so enjoy); an antique key (symbolic as to harmony being the "key"); antique religious medal (to echo the importance of nurturing my spirit); and silver charm with "harmony" impressed upon it.

My second talisman is a paperweight I created using a treasured, healing stone from one of my favorite, magical beaches.....Point No Point on Vancouver Island, British Columbia....a constant reminder of my connectedness to the earth.

So, I am excited about 2009 and the surprises it has in store. I am confident that my intentions will be manifested and I will be successful in achieving the "harmony" I seek.

Happy new year to all of you and thank you for coming by to visit.