Andrew Thornton-Lima Beads Challenge

As usual, the Andrew Thornton Challenge Kit sat on my work table for several weeks, percolating in my head until just about the last minute.  And as usual, procrastination pays off and the result was a three strand necklace run through a large silver ring. The three strands are the challenge chain with Green Girl Studios beads added in, twisted fibers wrapped with beaded wire, and the third with glass and seed beads. To the challenge matte seed beads I added shiny delicas and silver charlottes.  Also added were blue glass beads that match the Earthenwood Studio bird perfectly and the Green Girl Studio bunny toggle was incorporated into the chain on the left shouder area. So what do ya’ll think?   Several others took part in the challenge. I'll post the links when I get them.....

Abacus

Behind the wheel of my car-share (www.occasionalcar.com)

Abacus. Done!  Not done well, but done. I love Marcia DeCoster, and I love her blog here:   http://maddesignsbeads.blogspot.com.  Jennifer at http://jazzyjewelry3.blogspot.com committed to completing all the projects in Marcia’s book, Beaded Opulence, and she gave me courage. The book has been sitting on my shelf and I’ve been lusting after the projects, so I joined in the fun. Marcia is a magician with the right angle weave (RAW), but I'm a peyote girl, and the high tension required for most peyote (and present in most of my life) is not compatible with right angle weave. Several practice attempts went ok-ish, so I finally just went for it. It is lumpy and lop-sided and the wonderful Marcia is probably horrified at what I've done to her beautiful design.



Emily got jealous at something else being
the center of attention and jumped in

But I tried, and I feel like a little kid whose terrible drawing is posted proudly on the refrigerator. And I will try again, having learned from my mistakes, and hopefully get all the tension in my life resolved, thread-based and otherwise.

Sunset

Most beautiful sunset.....Nassau with my sweetie

Theology of Hospitality (or why I have no beady group)

I've been alone as an artist for almost two years now, and it is a struggle to stay motivated and creative. Back in Dallas I had a great artists group: fun, creative, collaborative. I can see their influence in my today. This piece is in honor of Lourdes. Lourdes loves crystals; blings out everything. I tend towards earth tone, mutes, mattes, but Lourdes encouraged and inspired me to branch out with new elements. And this was the result. I added large, red crystals into the spiral, and it took the necklace to the next level.  I miss this group deeply and am still looking for that type of collaborative relationship here in my new city.

Recently a bead show came through town. I made the list of needs (short since do so little at this point) and wants (long always). As I was preparing for the show and looking at what artists and companies were coming (spent my grocery money at http://www.greengirlstudios.com !) I noticed the front page of the bead society was making a "desperate plea for volunteers".   I'm a sucker for volunteerism and being part of a production, but I only had to shake my head at this poor group.

About a year and a half ago I had attempted to be part of this group. I was living about 90 minutes away but knew I was being transferred to the city and wanted to get connected.  The website announcement about the meeting was vague, so I emailed the membership coordinator to see if I needed to bring anything (I'm used to groups that ‘do’ and this was a group that ‘talked’, so no supplies needed). And on the designated night I went, hoping to find a new creative home and to contribute in a meaningful way to the community over the long term. And here is how it went.

I arrived at the location within a museum/factory type facility in a poorly lit, questionable neighborhood, no signs. I found my way inside, and followed the noise to the second floor, at the end of the hall. Still no signs. If you don't know where you are going, they don't want you.

No one was there to welcome guests (and the membership person knew I was coming for the first time).  I shyly made my way to seat, only to be yelled at from across the room "hey, you have to sign in". Embarrassed, I made my way over to the table she pointed to in the back.

Arriving at the table in the back, I was handed a clipboard and told, "here, fill this out". Not even a 'hello, welcome'. I provided my contact information and sat towards the middle of the room, trying to engage with people along the way. No one even looked at me, let alone spoke to me.

And then the most painful moment: after the lecture (by Dustin Wedekind! At least they did something right) someone got up to make announcements, and then pointed at me, and said "we have a new person.  Stand up and introduce yourself and the types of beading you do". I was mortified. I am terribly shy. No one had acknowledged my presence all night, and now you want me to stand up in front of everyone and talk?  I did, and still having introduced myself, no one talked to me afterward. And I slunk off into the night, never to return.

And even having my contact information and a note that it was my first visit and having emailed beforehand with the membership person, no one followed up with me. And this is a group you pay to join.  They didn’t want me or my money.

And now they want me to donate a weekend to volunteer for them?  I am not surprised no one wants to play in their sandbox.

What I experienced at this bead society is sadly too often what people experience at our churches. I loved my Dallas bead group because they welcomed me openly, inspired, supported and encouraged me. This is what church should be, not the insulated, private club mentality of that bead society.

This past Sunday morning we had 55 people in worship, 39 of which have come since I started 10 months ago. I arrived at a private club, fearful of new people and dying a quick death. So i developed a theology of hospitality, of welcoming, and now 4 out of 5 visitors become active members. It’s a radical statistic in the Christian community.

It’s hard being alone, either as an artist or a person of faith. Welcome others, see the ways you can learn, be inspired by them. Even being 1,000 miles away from Lourdes she still inspires me to push my creative comfort zone.  Who inspires you, and how are you inspiring those around you?

What Will This Day Bring?

We never know what a day will bring.

Last week a letter arrived at the church. I opened it, not thinking much other than getting through the mail. Out fell a check for $20 and a postcard. The postcard had been sent out years ago, long before I arrived last summer, as a fundraiser for one of our meal programs. The main mission focus of our little church is feeding hungry people and between three meal programs we provide about 3,000 meals every month to the hungry and homeless in our direct community.

On the back of the postcard the gentleman had written: "I ate there 20 years ago and the canned chili was delicious."

We just never know the impact we are having with the most simple, loving gesture.  20 years and he not only remembered being with us, but what he ate. It was more than food, it was relationship.

We never know what a day will bring or what impact we are having on those we encounter. What did you do today that someone will remember in 20 years?

Hope Sucks

The light above my head literally went out this morning.

Birds woke me up about 4:30am, and my first thought was the need for a pellet gun. I catch spiders in Tupperware and set them free outside, so having my first waking thought of terrorizing innocent little creatures was more than a little disconcerting. I stayed in bed for about 90 minutes, simply not wanting to face the day.

The squeaky cat was intent on being fed, so I finally got up and went to make coffee. Turned on the kitchen light, and as I stood beneath it, the bulb burst. An ominous sign for the day.

It’s been a difficult year. I had such high hopes this would be the most amazing year. The church was supposed to be under control, time to create, a relationship that is more fulfilling than anything I could have imagined.

The church is not under control. I cannot tolerate when people intentionally create chaos and turmoil, especially when we are in an environment that is supposed to be Spirit filled and mission oriented. I did not go into ordained ministry to send emails and sit in meetings and listen to selfish bitching, and that is about all I do.  It is depressing, and there is no end in sight. I’m attempting to accept that this is my present reality and move forward as best I can, but it’s becoming overwhelmingly depressing.  

And it is overwhelming depressing about 70 hours a week. Which leaves no time or energy for anything else. And I know: “set boundaries; you can’t do it all; take care of yourself” but it just doesn’t work that way  sometimes.  Everything for worship has to get put together. Emails and call have be dealt with.  Drama has to be confronted.  This summer I took over from a pastor who was at the church for 22 years, and the transition has been terribly difficult for everyone.  

And even when I can do meaningful ministry, the negativity does not stop. Several times a week I provide lunch to the homeless through a coordinated program that provides nearly 600 lunches each week. But there is never enough, and the chips are not the right flavor, and the water isn’t cold enough and we were three minutes late or started too early. It's never something I do for praise, but it would be nice to not get bitched at constantly. 

The more I do and the more I give, the more crap I get for it. And yet that is part of the calling: not giving up, not walking away for a more comfortable life.  Having hope that it will get better, hope that God can be found in every situation, hope that this might be the year the Cubs win it all. Hope.
 

Being driven by hope sucks because there is always hope, and thus no excuse to give up. When you live in hope, you live in a world of endless possibilities and have to keep seeking them.

Anyhoo, time to start a 14 hour day filled with mostly meaningless crap, so that I can have another night a restless sleep and start another 14 hour day filled with mostly meaningless crap. Thanks for letting me bitch into cyberspace.

And the people said……oh hell.

Raging Ball o’ Crazy

Based on the activity here, my year is clearly not off the start I expected. This was going to be the year of a new theology of life which included creative sabbaticals on a weekly basis, time management, personal time, study and growth, artistic exploration, sleep. But then the crazy started…..

Part of my commitment to personal & creative time included joining the 2012 Bead Journal Project, which I have followed and admired for a few years, and finally got the courage to join. As you can see from the many posts I’m caught up on the projects and thriving in my new theology of life.  (insert laugh here)

I don’t just suck, I super suck. Some people are already finished with the March project. I deny that is March.  As far as I’m concerned, it is February 36^th

So many things came up that I simply could not ignore, and anxiety got the best of me. What to do for BJP? I have amazing stones: maybe a geological theme? What about bracelets so it is a wearable project?  What size, what shape, and holy crap: I’m not sure I know how to do bead embroidery! I mean, I know intellectually, but do I know how to use the intuitive relationship with beads to let them be where they want to be? Like I said….raging ball o’ crazy.

So I think I’ve settled on a more mixed media-journaling type of project, 6” x 6” not fully covered with beads, reflecting on questions that are arising in my spiritual journey.

I’m presently at a Catholic retreat center, drinking 12 year Glen Garioch  single malt scotch out of a Dixie cup after everyone else has gone to bed, having spent the last two days in intensive discussions over the United Methodist ordination & appointment system (we serve at the pleasure of the Bishop, going where we are told without question). So my question for January 68^th is: Can you bloom where you are planted if the soil is toxic?  We will see how that is interpreted in beads and mixed media in the week(s) to come.  

I’ll start soon, and I’m only three months behind, which in my world is damn near caught up. I’m thankful for the patience of the Bead Journal Project that puts up with crazy like me whose intentions are not even remotely grounded in reality. I will get working, and appreciate the pity and laughs at my expense.

Blessings

Jessie

Andrew Thornton Challenge

The browns and greens of this challenge kit are so beautiful, Andrew did a lovely job of putting it together. I wanted it to feel rustic to respect the elements, but also be glamorous enough for an evening out. Down in City Park are beautiful weeping willows and I used them as inspiration for the draping of the layers.

The necklace is 6 strands of chain and beads with fibers through two of the larger chains and pearl and crystals dangled off the largest chain. The focal is a Vintaj ‘bloom’ with a glass bead and Andrew’s tree off the bottom. It was too long with the focal on the bottom chain, so I added the 6th chain across the top and layered the focal on top of the others.  

My biggest issue was a clasp. I’m committed to not buying more beads/findings when I have literally shelves full, but I didn’t have the fancy clasp it needed. Thankfully, Art Scene Bead Blog came to the rescue with a post about embellishing plain clasps, so a plain Vintaj hook became this (below). To see the post, click here:  http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2011/11/on-4th-day-of-christmas-embellished.html  

I’ve really enjoyed Andrew’s Challenges and am sorry he is discontinuing them, but each adventure leads to another and I’m so enjoying watching Allegory Gallery take shape and wish him many blessings. To check out the shop, click here: http://www.allegorygallery.com  

  

1st Beaded Bag

Bag is 16" x 10" to hold my computer



My first big sewing project! I’ve used the sewing machine many, many times, but not for anything that required straight lines or that would need to stand up actual use. The fabric is a laminate and I sewed on red and black Lucite flowers and leaves, and lined it in red. It will be a cute summer bag, and I’m pleased at how it came out, corners and all. 

Close up of the Lucite flowers



Mary's Magnificat

Mary on the Margins, based on Luke 1:39-56 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%201:%2039-56&version=MSG), sermon exerpt for third Sunday in Advent.
Close your eyes for a moment, and picture Mary, mother of Jesus.  What does she look like,what is she wearing, how do you suppose she spoke?  Mary is one of the most common images in art,she is seen everywhere throughout the world. She is usually posed eyes castdown, maybe holding flowers, a light color cloth covering her head, looking gentle and submissive.  (like this one: http://www.zazzle.com/immaculate_heart_of_mary_card-137144974024028478)

Unfortunately, most of those images weare given of Mary are inaccurate. For one, Mary was not a light skinned Caucasian. She would not have had light brown hair. She probably did not walk around with a handful of lilies. Most likely, she was also not meek and gentle.But this became the image of the perfect Christian woman, so this is what Mary had to be turned into so Christian women would have someone non-threatening to model themselves after.

But when biblical scholars talk about Mary, and about this reading, the Magnificant, they describe her as “revolutionary”. 

To be exact: Mary’s Magnificat is “The most revolutionary document in the world”, “a revolutionary terror”, “an economic revolution, a political revolution, and a moral revolution”, it “terrified the Russian czars”, and “fosters revolution in our churches”.

This song of Mary is so revolutionarythat the governments of Argentina, Guatamala banned it from being published orrecited in public in the 1970’s and 1980’s because it was being used a call to nonviolent resistance and social change against oppressive regimes.  

What is a revolution? We can think of the Revolutionary War, or the Sexual Revolution, or the Communist Revolution,or the Technological Revolution. For better or for worse, life is never the same after a revolution. It changes the way we look at the world, interact with the world. It changes who we are as people and how we act.

This is not the gentle song of a meek girl, this is a powerful revolutionary statement by a socially aware, hopeful young woman. I love this painting of Mary (link below). It is ethnically more accurate than about every other picture we see (giving Mary back that element of her identity), it is powerful and colorful, showing emotion and strength. This is the young woman who bursts forth with revolution and hope, knowing her worthand validity in God’s plan.

http://www.veritasse.co.uk/products-page/christmas/magnificat-by-deborah-last/

In our passage today, Mary has been visited by the angel Gabriel and sets off, pregnant, to see her older cousin Elizabeth. The journey was about 70 miles over rough terrain on foot or on the back of an animal. But why would she take this journey, in the midst of all that was happening?   

I think Mary probably wanted to get outof dodge, for one.

I also think wanted to see Elizabeth to confirm what the angel had said, to get proof that all this was real. If Elizabeth was really pregnant, then maybe Mary could believe what was happening to her.  And if Elizabeth could celebratewhat was happening, maybe Mary could too. Notice that Mary’s song comes after the affirmations from Elizabeth. Sometimes we need someone else to celebrate first, to give us permission.

As Mary sings her song, it is clear sheis not an ignorant, sheltered girl. She knows the history of her faith, she knows struggles. Mary was not raised on afternoon cartoons and video games, Mary was raised in a household of stories: stories of her ancestors in faith (Abraham, Noah, Miriam, Moses, Hannah), stories of Israel conquering and being conquered, stories of prophecy of the one who would come to change the poverty, and oppression, and discrimination. 

Once she confirmed, through Elizabeth, that this was all really happening, she recognized her part in the prophecies she knew so well.

The revolution began the moment Mary recognized her role in the story of her faith, and her life would never be the same.

We are still in the midst of the revolution, for justice, for peace, for freedoms, for the hungry to be fed, for the victims to be pulled from despair, for God’s abundance to felt by all. The revolution is feeding the hungry, visiting the lonely, embracing the many pathsto God, welcoming the new people, caring for the homeless…….Mary saw her place in the faith journey as raising the greatest prophet of our faith tradition. 

Inspired by Mary, what is your Magnificent song,and what is your role in the revolution?

(I spent two hours trying to paste the images into the blog, and finally gave up. If anyone knows how, please let me know!)