The last two and a half weeks I have not been quite up to par. My stomach has been running the show, stealing my energy and causing some pain. I’ve been too long away from the studio and too long away from blogging.
I tend to lean into depression when I don’t feel well, especially when it goes on for more than a few days or when I can’t figure out the cause. I feel like some kind of slacker or lame ass who can’t get her act together. I try to work in the studio, but find it hard to focus. With plenty of work to catch up on I can’t figure out where to start or what to do first, so I judge myself harshly and decide I’ve done nothing.
That’s how I felt today and it’s time to draw my brakes and stop the downhill slide. I have not done nothing. I may not have finished the work I wanted to but I have been working on bits and pieces that I’m excited to pick up and use as soon as I can. Taking photos to put up on the blog helps.
Here are some leafy headpins I made last week with translucent polymer clay.
I used some of my down time to wrap a bunch of copper and silver-filled wire into small leaf shapes. I hammered them to flatten and harden the wire, making it a ready base for thin layers of translucent polymer.
I colored the translucent clay with alcohol ink and rolled out thin sheets to apply to the wire frames. I sandwiched microbeads between the sheets of clay for most of the leaves. It wasn’t until later that I thought about trying some waxed linen between the layers.
I’m pretty happy with the results, and I have a bunch of ideas that will “stem” from these.
Tomorrow won’t be a studio day for me as I’ll be off the island to get a CT scan to see if we can figure out what’s going on in my stomach. Yeah, it’s hard not to imagine dire things, but I’ll balance those thoughts with the thought that this could be nothing more than a weird reaction to stress.
Meanwhile, I’ll be thinking of plans for these leaves. Maybe I got more done last week than I thought.
Barbara S Fernald Jewelry 
BARB! GORGEOUS STUFF! Great Color. I’m going to borrow some color from you. H (at 40,000 feet on my way to Los Angeles)
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Thanks Henry. The weird thing with the clay is that it is opaque when it goes in to fire (bake). The color is hard to tell before firing.
Hope you don’t have to be in L.A. for long.
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I had been curious as to your lack of posting, hoping you were off doing something fun. So sorry you are not feeling well and saying a prayer for your speedy recovery! The work you have completed is beautiful!!! Love the look of them in that vase!!
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Thanks Patti. I hope to get back to more regular posts soon. The longer I put it off, the easier it is not to blog. Inertia or something…
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Simply gorgeous colors and designs. Just love the intricately detailed surfaces of these headpins.
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Thanks Karin.
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Your leafy headpins are very pretty. I can’t wait to see what you’ll make with them.
I’m sending you lots of positive vibes–and even more tomorrow. Think positively. ((Barb))
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Thank you Susan. Many of them will be combined with bits of silver for earrings. Soon! Thanks for the positive vibes. I’m sure it will all be fine.
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These are very beautiful. Amazing that you got so much done in spite of feeling ill. I am glad you are getting a scan so you can know what is going on. Not knowing is the worst. All you do is think of the very worst it can be and that does make you depressed. I am the same way. Feel better and keep us posted. be well.
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holy COW! they’re beautiful!
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I second Holly’s sentiment! And that big pile of work is definitely not NOTHING! Hang in there, B. It all works out in the end.
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Hope you feel better and find out what’s wrong!!! The leaf headpins are really pretty!
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I know exactly how you feel! Honestly. The funny thing is, now that you’ve actually created beautiful things and shared with us, I bet you feel better. Mental health is just as important when you have physical illnesses so do whatever you can to cheer yourself up. Creating, accomplishing tasks you want to do, helping others…all these things will make you feel better. Also, it’s nice when you blog but it shouldn’t be a unrelenting obligation–that will just weigh you down. We’ll be here when you feel up to sharing your art with us.
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The head pins are gorgeous and so unique..love them. Thinking of you today and sending positive thoughts and vibes your way. I thought of calling you several times recently but thought if you weren’t feeling well …you know how we feel about the phone! Love to you, Susan
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Here’s hoping the CT scan shows nothing serious; meantime, take my friend Amy’s advice (which she’s repeated to me many, many times): Don’t borrow trouble.
Keep working in your studio on things that make you smile, walk on the beach, and go easy on yourself.
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Thanks to all my friends for the great support. I feel so fortunate to be part of this blogging community.
CT scan showed nothing serious at all. A relief to see no diverticular inflammation, no abscess and nothing else in the “even more scary” category. Possible inguinal hernia, and way more “stuff” than I should be carrying around. The word of the day tomorrow is “cleanse.”
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I am so relieved that you are o.k. Take good care of yourself :)
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