Ever see the movie "Pay It Forward"? Simply put, the premise is that you do nice things for people and they in turn do nice things for people, and it spreads and spreads and spreads. Sounds great right? I thought so.

*update* 4/6/10 - Here are the links to the archive of the show with my interview. It has been separated into 4 shorter segments, so there are 4 links. (Part 1 , Part 2, Part 3, Part 4)

I've been happily creating away lately, but I seem to be in a battle with my camera. I think either it has changed on me or I can't take decent photos anymore! Actually... I think my camera hates me, but what can I say. I did manage to get a few clear pics this morning so I wanted to share my latest two necklaces with you.


I've been having lots of fun doing goddess pieces lately. I started off doing rather large copper pieces as you can see here. Those pieces were more focused on chunky and raw stones, while these latest two are getting back into the silver and more sparkly gemstones. I'll tell ya, I am loving making both styles. They have such movement and radiant energy. I can't wait to see who's neck they end up on!
Hugs around,
Shay

Hi all! Just in case you or anyone you know has thought about buying this piece, Spring's Harp, I wanted to let you know that I've donated it to the Etsy shop that is supporting Doctors Without Borders during this time of special need in Haiti. It is $235 and all proceeds minus fees taken out by Etsy and Paypal, will go to this cause. You can find it and many other items at the store here: Heartsforhaiti.etsy.com I've really been wanting to find a way to support the relief in Haiti, but haven't had the resources to do so, so I was pretty happy when I found this shop on Etsy. I deliberated about doing some lesser priced items, and I still may, but I chose my most expensive item instead, hoping that someone will be inspired to buy it and see the money go to a place it is so needed right now.

On another note, I hope you are all doing as well as can be! I haven't been online a whole lot lately. I'm in one of my "got-to-stop-spending-so-much-friggin-time-on-this-machine!" modes. I've been channeling most of my energy lately into cleaning my studio - I mean REally cleaning it. I've had years of stuff piling up under tables and on shelves and have been going through every little bit. I have about one shoebox more of things to sort and stow away and I will have officially been through every bit of the room and should theoretically even know where anything I have actually is. Though I do find myself wondering, "but where is that onyx pendant that I got that I was going to wrap for....." Not a good start, but it sure feels good to walk in there now. Now, back to creating since my hands are doing well again:) Yay!

Okay, enough about me. Please do check out the Hearts For Haiti store and see if there's anything you want to buy. It's a nice and easy way to donate and get a little something at the same time.

Love to you all, Shay

That's what I feel like lately -- this need to get back to ground, back to the beginning, back to earth. It's a raw emotion that I can't particularly describe other than by the above words. Creatively, it has been like a mantra in my head saying "Talisman... talisman... protection". That's what I've been needing to create for awhile.

When I began working with wire about 5 years ago, I used stripped copper electrical wire and crystals and stones. My pieces were rather large and chunky. Here are a few examples:




I still create on the larger side but I've tried to tone them down over the years. I also moved into tiny faceted gemstones and pretty much just sterling silver wire. I still love doing those pieces, but lately I felt I needed to get my hands back into my piles of rough stones and heavier gauge wire, so that's what I've been doing, and it's been great.

The first goddess piece I made, was created almost in a frenzy of energy. I walked into the studio and saw the amber hanging there and knew I had to grab that. Next I was just spinning around in the room grabbing anything that wanted to be a part of that piece -- bone goddess, rutilated quartz, obsidian needle, ruby, garnet, citrine, turquoise. Then I started wrapping it all up, without regard to doing a "neat" wrapping job. Quite the contrary, I want these pieces to be wild and unkempt (but obviously still with neat tucked wire ends so they don't poke!) That's how I feel when I'm making them, and all the while, I am thinking, "talisman, talisman, protection, goddess, powerful, shield", and such thoughts. I honestly don't even know what the various pieces of these necklaces represent in the metaphysical world. I may look it up, but I don't really need to because I know how they make me feel. Hopefully they will find a home with someone who feels their power.

I've made three in the last 3 days and for all I know I may not make more, but I'm pretty sure I will. You just never know about me! For now the shiny silver and faceted gemstones are sitting to the side as I am compelled to work with the Goddesses. I sure having fun with them!

It's something I yearn for, dream of, contemplate, desire.