Downpours in the desert produce life and create all manner of surprises.
During my annual jaunt to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, a drenching rain set an unusual tone for the day. It was our first stop of the morning and my scarf was already soaked. Water dripped from every corner and crevice of the tent.
As I sloshed through the aisles, I forced myself to focus on the stones rather than the weather. The druzzie heart emitting purple light seemed to emit a sweet resonance that caught my attention.
While others in our Dale Cougar shopping party bought perfect cabochons for stone settings, I held fiercely to my heart symbol and determined to make something special from it. My “Shopping with Dale” class took us to a select variety of shows where we met vendors who talked with us about stones, gems and tools.
The Vera Cruz amethyst heart (VCAH) from the Village Silversmith vendor booth generated lots of suggestions from the group for its display. Dale, who is amazing, had at least three different wire wrapping designs in mind, but the timing didn’t favor me taking notes.
The heart as a wearable symbol continues to appeal to me as illustrated in this post: Inspiration you love to wear, or my more recent submission, How my visual theme came to life.
Heart becomes pendant
For a time VCAH lived in my stash. Then I packed it in my portable studio box. In August I began to work on a silver display for the piece and as usual, my initial thought morphed into a better design as I worked.
In many ways, the heart made itself. The heart-shaped gem dictated where the prongs would fold, how the bail would sit, the oxidation I would use and what the shape of the silver backing would be.
Years ago, I noted this partial quote from Carol Berry in my journal:
“Three ways of seeing — that we see with our eyes, our hands, and our hearts.”
–Carol Berry
As a mid-level student of metalsmithing, I am still learning. As an ongoing student of life, I continue to delve into what I see and how I see it. One thing I know: heART is all-important.
The little prince in Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s book ‘The Little Prince’ said:
“Here is my secret. It is very simple: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
The Little Prince
How profound. During this confusing and personally chaotic time, I’m concentrating on works of heART: attuned to kindnesses and expressing gratitude.
“He who works with his hands is a laborer; he who works with his hands and his mind is a craftsman; he who works with his hands and his mind and his heart is an artist.”
—St. Francis of Assisi
Amethyst heart pendant shapes work of heART
My Vera Cruz amethyst heart pendant is a reminder of this intention. It prompts me to include small kindnesses that produce ripples of energetic difference into every day. Inspired by others who have shown me support, I’m concentrating on creating ripples of surprise and delight with works of heART.
You’ll hear more during upcoming blog posts. The synergy of shared acts of creativity creates ripples of surprise and delight in the world. Who couldn’t use more of that?
How will you surprise and delight others today?