Tag Archives: rare

The Muse

Bad Weeks and Blessings

Posted on by Nancy Lee
Man, it has been a bad week. And a blessed one. After a really big show over the weekend, The Fog descended on Monday and I’ve mostly been in my pink fuzzy robe, pondering the universe. Or my toes. My behavior became like that of an animal in the wild – hiding out, not wanting others to see the weakness, the humanness, the mess. This time, it came to me to reach out for help. Even though Dogbert was on my shoulder. The comic strip character from “Dilbert” that is. This episode features Dogbert giving time-management advice to the Boss:

Helpful, huh? Unfortunately, doing everything on both lists is my usual motto. I came up as the middle layer in a sandwich of successful sisters. Even though I am utterly different, it does not always occur to me that this can be a good thing. They have high-powered careers. I am an artist at heart, and a fledgling entrepreneur. They do both lists.

Feeling better this afternoon, I looked for my friend Lisa Zimmerman’s helpful newsletter. Lisa writes newsletters to me. She just happens to send them out to her entire mailing list. Seven days ago she emailed this. Read it slowly, for the words today helped me and maybe they will comfort you, too, if you need it.

Dear Nancy, (See, I told you she writes for me)

During the coming week Mercury will turn to go Direct. This creates new openings and opportunities for forward movement and new info to be revealed, which is always a beautiful thing 🙂

In the spirit of personal growth and evolution, I’d like to share another teaching I discovered when I was in ministerial training at One Spirit Interfaith Seminary.
This piece was written in 1927 by American writer, Max Ehrmann. It’s called Desiderata, which means “desired things.” It’s as relevant now as it always was. Enjoy.

Desiderata
 
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere, life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrender the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive It to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

*~*~*~*~*

© 2012 Lisa E. Zimmerman. All rights reserved.
To use any or all of this newsletter, please include this exactly:
Lisa Zimmerman is an Intuitive Astrologer & Transformational Consultant who helps people discover who they came here to be, transcend obstacles, and step into their power. Get your Free subscription to her ezine: SoulLevelSolutions.com.

Thank you, Lisa.

This wasn’t  the only blessing I got this week. It’s the one, though, that inspired me to write this post. Blessings also arrived in the form of my partner Wug’s patience and sensitivity. And from Krista Bermeo, in the form of a cupcake with a pink ballerina. And from Paul d’Andrea for the wonderful photography that I needed and Wug asked you to do for me (pics coming soon!)  Thank you all for my blessed week.

Pink Ballerina
Studio News and Notes

BUZZ Generated on Swedish Blue Bracelet due to Etsy!

Posted on by Nancy Lee

I am now a member of Esty, “Your place to buy & sell all things handmade.” It was so easy to place a few pictures of my work on the site and get started as a member. I have had several hits, but most interesting are connections made and BUZZ over the Swedish blue slag used in my Swedish blue slag cuff bracelet I call “Deep Blue Sweden “.

Deep Blue Sweden - Rare 500-year old Swedish blue slag gives it's name to this unique handmade piece
Deep Blue Sweden – Rare 500-year old Swedish blue slag gives it’s name to this unique handmade piece

The blue slag is actually 500-year old glass from Sweden that was obtained at a gem & mineral show in Indianapolis last year. I purchased five of these pieces at the time, just because they were so different a such a lovely shade of blue. Eventually, the largest piece found it’s home in Deep Blue Sweden, the bracelet was posted here and on Etsy, and a connection was made to another artist who used a piece of this glass in a creation of her own on “Jewelry Lessons by eni oken & friends”.

One comment read:

“The ‘stone’ is very beautiful, and a wonder in recycling, since that is exactly what is going on with it! Just to add a little bit to the historical aspect, It is no accident that many metal and glass works were located near one another at that time – the skilled labor used in both was somewhat interchangeable, and the glass makers of the time needed some of the ore to make the beautiful clear glass so popular among the nobility for their homes and churches.
Iron ore is usually found near quartz. ‘Slag’ from the smelting and refining process of iron is largely composed of silica, and other imperfections. Silica is the main ingredient in glass. Purified, it creates imperceptibly colored glass – The addition of other minerals gives it color, and interestingly, removes color, in certain applications. This slag must have had small amounts of cobalt, too. Cobalt is what is used to achieve a glorious blue color even today.
The 15th century (1400-1500)is the time frame that Murano and all of the Venetian glass makers first came to the fore. Pure, clear, evenly toned clear and colored glass-making was an artform then in Europe. They would not have prized this glass that formed from the refining process – due to the quick cooling, it had the striations in color, and an unusable form.

How interesting that it has lain in this state since practically moments after it was removed from the refinery – just covered over with soil and the remains of buildings. How wonderful that we prize this glass for its antiquity and accidental beauty.
Perri, http://www.shaktipajdesigns.etsy.com/”

I couldn’t have said it better, or more interestingly. What fun!

P.S. Contact me or visit my Etsy site if you are interested in owning this beautiful piece. Thanks!

Jewelry Notes

Newest Work from nDesigns Metal Jewelry Studio

Posted on by Nancy Lee

Deep Blue SwedenA new and different work has  emerged from the studio.
The piece on the left is a sterling silver cuff with twisted, hammered wire between two imprinted bands of sterling. What sets this piece apart is an interesting piece of 500-year old Swedish blue slag. This rare piece of glass, along with four other smaller pieces, was obtained several months ago at a local gem and mineral show. I could not resist falling into the deep blue pool of blue, with its swirls and flecks. Each piece of glass is a different size and shape. Noteworthy is that each time I create a piece, it does not last long in the studio! It seems to have a calming, almost mezmerizing  effect that draws one into it’s depths. Like it? Let me know.