Friday, February 24, 2012

Why DO I do what I do for a living?



I know most people can relate to the question "Why DO I do this for a living?". It's inevitable that we reach that point where one more straw and the camel's back will break. That's the last week of my life working on this bracelet in fifteen minute increments, between interruptions, as the due date loomed closer and closer!

I pride myself on my flexibility with people and keeping a positive attitude while I'm working, but as the deadline approached, and the inner grill to the bracelet had not arrived back from the caster, I could see my calm slip away. Then the nights that I couldn't sleep through started. When I did sleep the dreams were epic searches to find the one class I've missed all semester, or my locker in high school ( the last place I'd ever want to be again), or some crazy work dream where nothing is going right and I'm sitting naked at my bench. I got to the point, when I was remaking the catch for the third time (it should be easy, I've made a million!), and someone wanted me to drop everything to look at something for them, that I started thinking "I cannot stand this another second"!

Happily, I finished the bracelet today. The catch works perfectly... the grill installed beautifully...the opal set easily, and  it polished up to perfection! As I cleaned the bracelet off after polish and held it complete, it was no longer the difficult bits and pieces that needed to be fabricated and assembled. It was it's own complete object, whole and beautiful. It didn't reflect the struggle or worry that had brought it into it's own. I chatted with a few people about it, called the client to arrange for shipping, and started to relax again.

So this is why I do what I do. Because I am a maker of things, at the end of every project I have something tangible, durable, and beautiful to show for the efforts I have made.


Saturday, February 4, 2012

Connections

I've been accused for many years of being a person who over analyzes things. It's true and I have no problem owning it. It comes from being an introvert and the feeling of always being an "outsider". Why
am I not comfortable in that group where everyone else is relaxed, laughing, and grooving on the collective vibe? It's just how I am, and at 47 it's probably not going to change!
   Last night while working in my shop with a friend, she asked me if I was familiar with the music she was playing. I wasn't, but thought it was pretty. The conversation continued with her asking what I do listen to. (This is where the over analyzing comes in.) So, I started listing the artists that I enjoy most. I am most drawn to singer/ songwriter music, often with a folk, bluegrass feel to them. I love the way my favorite artists craft the words. They have a turn of phrase that makes me stop and say "good line". Definitely, without the music behind, the words are poetry!
  I also find I am drawn to the subject that the artist is speaking of. Iris Dement is one of my favorites, as she write songs about her life, how she relates to the process of aging and changing, loss of parents, working and balancing life. Her work speaks to the reality of my own life. Ten years ago I was working in my studio listening to her song that expressed the sorrow of her fathers impending passing. I was wrestling with my own fathers illness, and looking for the strength to become his kidney donor. She, like a dear best friend, helped me make the choice, through her song! I'll never be able to thank her, but I'll always love her for her words!
   To me, this is art at it's very finest. I love a song, a book, a painting that lifts that veil of separation, and let's us see we are all the same. We all have the same needs, suffer the same losses, lose our youth, and move on to the next sphere.