75/365 - An Earring A Day Project Update

As I packed up my tools a few weeks ago to head great old state of Texas, 

I was feeling really good about the Earring a Day Project. 

Not only was I caught up with the timeline, but the earrings were coming to me fairly quickly. 

I wasn't feeling over burdened with the work, and quite honestly felt like I was getting much more out of the project than I ever expected. 

If you've been following along, you might remember that I joined this whole crazy scheme because I was feeling less than inspired.

At the start of the new year, my creativity was feeling drained and my tank on empty.

I knew I was more than capable of coming up with new ideas and designs, but I found myself second guessing everything I did. 

Was it right? 

Would it work?

And biggest of all, would it sell? 

I was just plain sick of it.

The level of frustration I was feeling was so overwhelming. 

I'm not going to tell you I'm not here to make money. 

To make sales.

This is my livelihood, of course I need things to sell.

However, it is by FAR not the most important thing. 

If it was only about money I could mass produce crap and live comfortably.

Hell, I could get a dead end job and that would cover the income.

But it's so much more than that.

I want it to be more than that.

What I'm doing here, it's important. 

It's so incredibly important. 

Art is important. 

But I digress.

The first 60 of the EAD project brought me so much happiness. 

It brought me back to the place I knew I could be. 

Where I wasn't thinking about the sales, but just feeling the art. 

Creating pieces that were unique and significant.

Having the safe space to test ideas and thoughts without the fear of them failing. 

As I left for Texas I already felt inspired.

I had so many ideas.

Then, in the lone star state, I found myself studying under some of the most amazing artists. 

People I really respect.

And I met other smithies.

Lots of them.

All of them wonderful and inspirational.

Needless to say, I came back with my creativity tank overflowing.

My sketchbook so full it actually seemed heavier than when I left.

I couldn't wait to get back to the studio.

And I came back to emails upon emails and deadlines galore.

It's part of it. 

I was ok with it.

(and I'm honestly really still trying to catch up.)

Once I had any open creating time, it went to pieces in the sketchbook.

Stuff on the bench I left.

And all those new ideas.

I found myself in a much different place than I was at the beginning of 2015.

A place where I had too much creativity.

I had a hard time focusing on just one project.

And I found very little time to make these lovely little earrings.

Honestly, I thought about quitting this whole thing.

I got what I set out to get right? 

Inspiration abounded, why stress over completing the earrings? 

Why worry that I was  behind? 

Each time I'd start to saw a little squirrel, I'd think, "ugh, I have so much more important work to do."

But do I? 

I spent over a week just letting that question sit.

Is the EAD still important to me? 

Is it still worth it? 

Are there still lessons to be learned? 

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

I know there is still so much more this journey will bring me.

Maybe this bump in the road is a lesson.

A lesson of drive and perseverance.

Learning to commit to something even when it's not seeming to give you what you need in the moment.

Finishing something you started.

And so I just started.

Back again, I didn't worry about how much silver I was using or how the pieces would look.

When I second guessed my design, I just kept going.

Pushing.

Driving.

Sawing.

Hammering.

By the time I finished 10 of them I was smiling again.

I remembered all the EAD had brought me.

I knew it was still part of what I needed to do.

I can't guarantee there won't be bumps along the way.

I might not finish 1 earring everyday.

Maybe I get behind.

Maybe I have to get ahead sometimes in order not to fail.

But I'm recommitted and it feels good.

shop here.

♥ Carin

This is Love

This is Duffy.

Duffy was very loved.

A beautiful soul.

That I hope I honored in the memorial piece created for him. 

Photo courtesy of Duffy's human.

I started with a hand cut silhouette of him wearing his lovely bandana. 

I added a hand set river rock below. 

A little detail along the side of the bezel reads "FLY WITH THE STARS." 

On the back I've etched his paw print. 

And stamped an excerpt from a lovely poem.

"A DIVER 

INNOCENT

COVERED IN FEATHERS

OF WILL"

Photo courtesy of Duffy's human.

RIP Duffy. 

♥ Carin

I Made This Special for You

UPDATE:

A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED!

Remember I'll be going away with free shipping for Facebook fans, and putting some of that budget towards more giveaways like this one! So if you didn't win, stay tuned for more!

Without further ado.

The winner is.

The lovely.

Wonderful.

Magical.



Catherine Knott


Catherine, please email me at carin@jonesingforjewelry.com no later than Friday the 23rd midnight PST to claim your prize!!


_____




Monday's post was a big deal to me. 

If you haven't read it, you should. 

Here go read it, then come back. 

___

I meant what I said. 

I'm so very, very grateful to each and every single one of you. 

You 

have

given

me

the 

world. 

THANK YOU.

So I made this for you.

I hope you love it. 

Details and how to enter it below. 

This necklace features a lovely Australian Gaspeite stone. 

This stone is similar to turquoise in texture and composition. This particular piece is a lovely lime and olive green colorings. 

Below the stone sits a lovely fine silver rose and around it is a sterling silver beaded detail. 

The piece sits on a generously thick piece of sterling silver. 

It was hung from an 18" sterling silver ball chain. 

The  pendant measures just over 1 3/4" long and just over 1/2" wide. 

___

HOW TO ENTER:

Comment on this post with your first and last name. 

 If you don't see a way to comment on the bottom click this link to take you to the actual post for commenting. 

One entry/comment per person.

Entries put in as "anonymous" will not be counted.

The winner will get first class free domestic shipping to any U.S. location.

International followers can enter, but must pay the $10.00 shipping fee and any custom/duty tax due upon receipt. INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS, PLEASE DO NOT ENTER IF YOU DO NOT INTEND TO PAY THESE.

Entries will be accepted until Midnight PST on Monday 1/19/2015

I'll draw a winner sometime Tuesday 1/20/2015

The winner will be announced here on the blog. The winner will have until 1/23/2015 to contact me and claim their prize. 

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! 

And please, please, please share it with your friends! Let everyone in on the fun!

♥ Carin

Under the Quiet Moonlight Series

The end of the year is always a quirky time. 

Everything is so final. 

The close of the busiest time of the business season. 

The end of a big month.

The end of a year.

Yet, at the same time, it's the beginning. 

A fresh start.

A new beginning.

I get quiet during this time. 

I feel myself drawing inward. 

My heart retracing the year and the moments that defined it. 

I always feel as though the business goes on a slight hiatus while I'm resetting. 

This time reminds me of those chilly Pacific Northwest nights. 

Pitch black, but the moon in all it's glory lighting the way.

In that space it's easy to feel as if nothing is happening. 

The earth is so quiet. 

But if you slow enough to pay attention you'll see.

Beneath the quiet exterior, so much is happening. 

Animals awaking to the night.

Coming to life under neath the quiet stillness. 

This time is necessary for the earth to succeed. 

In the same, this time is necessary for me to succeed. 

The quiet brings time to reflect, and find truth. 

Just as you notice signs of life around you.

Chirps of animals.

Scampering little feet.

The fog as you breath out. 

This is when big things happen. 

You awaken to the sunlight, with big bold energy for the day. 

Don't underestimate the quiet. 

____

shop here. 

♥ Carin

____

UPDATE

I've added a piece to this collection! 

A stunning owl, labradorite, branch and crystal wall hanging! 

From The Bench

The bench has been keeping me so busy these days. 

My inspiration cup is overflowing and it seems that all the coffee in the world wouldn't be enough right now. I'd love to stay and chat with you, but at times like this, I have to keep moving, keep working in hopes that I get it all out before I lose focus. 

Here's a few things I've posted over the last few days. Stay tuned because there is more to come! 

Shop here. 

♥ Carin

Under the Same Moon //

We rise up from this Earth, from ashes which meld together. They combine effortlessly as they have done so many times before. Dancing and intertwining, the molecules bond with one another fitting like puzzle pieces. Eventually taking the physical shape of our human selves. We are all all made from the same dust. Those that have come before us, and those that are still to come. We are all particles of the same stars that exploded long ago. 

What makes us unique is how we live our days on this Earth. Our spiritual selves, our souls, our minds. What we think and how we feel. How we interact, and how we impact those around us. 

Our spiritual selves allow us to become more than just our bodies. We become sons and daughters, friends and lovers, parents and grandparents. We are now capable of feeling emotions. Hope and despair, courage and bravery.

But the biggest of all is love, and therefore loss. 

All of us have felt it. Maybe it's a soul gone away briefly. 

Maybe it's someone you've lost forever.

For me, I find peace in knowing that all the special souls that have impacted my life over the years, each and everyone of them, are still with me today. 

We will always and forever be on this Earth. We will always look up at the same moon at night. Wish upon the same stars. And, when our souls leave our bodies our physical form will return to the dust from which it came. The energy released to something else. 

Will will always be here. Always be together. United forever UNDER THE SAME MOON. 

Items available for purchase until sold here.

♥ Carin

Abundance //

I can barely hear my thoughts.

It's so loud now. 

It's hard to hear anything but the rain drumming down on the rich green earth, as I sit on my porch sipping tea. 

Millions of tiny drops, each with their own unique sound. As they pitter patter away, they meld together like a choir singing its most powerful ballad.

The noise is deafening, but beautiful. 

I'm focused on the rain now, as the wind blows a few stray drops towards me. Several of them landing on my uncovered face. 

They are colder than I expect. Piercing my skin with their frigidness, a foreshadowing of the winter to come. 

With no other distractions, I let myself sink into the rain, into the noise.  I notice subtleties about the day. It's fresh scent and the dampness of the air around me. 

I'm reminded of all the good the rain brings. 

How plentiful it is this time of year. 

The streams are rushing now.

The valleys splashing in mud.

The mountain tops getting their first blanket of crisp white snow.

It makes me happy to know there is an ample amount to go around.

Everything is prospering in it's glory.

And I think to myself, what a life it is to have and abundance of resources. 

Enough to prosper, but not in excess.

Enough to grow into your fullest, but not enough to spoil on the riches. 

What would the world be like? 

Would we see less loss? 

Less heartache? 

Maybe I'll know one day, but for now, I'll settle for a good rain, and the rest of my tea.

These one of a kind items are available in the here until sold.

♥ Carin

Introspection //

There is a place inside you.... A place inside all of us. 

It's beautiful and mysterious. Only the bravest of us will ever get to see it and behold it's grandeur. 

The journey there can be frightening. There is no road, no path, and it's frequently dimly lit if not pitch black.   But in your heart, you know the risk is worth it. The payoff will be big.

Some people call this place, this thing, your soul while some prefer your true self. No matter the vocabulary, it is special.

Only you have a key. 

With no light to guide you, the journey seems impossible.  

The first steps are taken with caution. You stumble along the rocky landscape, and frequently you find the terrain too hard to manage. The steep slopes and sharp drops feel unconquerable.  So you search for a path to walk on, a place someone else has been. 

You find a place where the grass is slightly trampled, maybe there is even a trail. Your steps seem smoother now, it seems easier to manage. 

Your pace quickens.

Although you start to feel refreshed and rejuvenated with the new terrains, this feeling is temporary. An overwhelming sense of tired washes over you. 

After a few more steps, you realize you've been walking someone else's path. It did seem easier at first, but becoming someone else's true self will never quite fit. 

The journey will be harder, but you make the conscience choice to go back to finding your own way.  In the end it will be worth it.

Sometimes your soul is one needle in a whole forest. You might pick up 1,000 needles thinking it's the one. 

It can take days

months

years,

 some people give up before they find it. 

But you know it's not about the timeline. It's about the journey and the reward.

You are courageous.

Tenacious.

You will get there. 

____

 These pieces are glimpse into my soul. With no plan or layout, I let my hands work and my heart guide me. 

A snapshot of my true, authentic self. 

Misshapen circles, as I myself am always a little asymmetrical and different.

A thicker design for my depth, strength, and heightened awareness. 

Gold leafing showing my ability for continuous growth and change.

Perfect white pearls for clarity and truth.

Serious texture and dimension conveying the chaotic, passionate and creative being I am.

Plus overall beauty.

We are all beautiful.

You are beautiful.

♥ Carin

You can shop this jewelry here.