Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Things that make me smile, part 2

Mary Jane, aka Maire Dodd, sent me this photo of a pendant she made that incorporates a few of my porcelaine beads. I actually got this photo on one of my most down with the nasty virus days. She asked 'does this make you smile'? Oh yes, indeed, it made me smile, and it still makes me smile. MJ made this piece for the fun with focals challenge hosted by Heather Powers at Humble Beads. Mary Jane said she wasn't sure what to do with the beads, wasn't sure why she had gotten the faceted glass beads, and that she was sure you must carry an inventory of beads around in your mind. And then it clicked for her and out came this focal piece. I love that! And this definitely makes me smile. And what MJ doesn't know is that this in fact is one of the first set of beads I ever made. I hung on to them for a long while and then it was time for them to find a new home. And what a lovely home they have found. Thanks Mary Jane!

If you'd like to see more of the 'fun with focals' challenge you should head over to the Flickr group. There is a lot of very innovative things happening there.

And the other thing that makes me smile all over today is that it is my son's birthday. He's 29, my first baby, and I remember his birth as if it were yesterday. I can still see him with his scrunched up beautiful new born face. Blinking at the world as if he was just not quite ready to be in it but taking that deep, deep breath and then letting out a most healthy new born, I am here, wail. What absolute beauty.

14 comments:

Katie said...

What a neat necklace! And congrats on your baby boy's birthday! It looks like you are getting happiness from all over the place :o)

Prairie Emporium said...

LeAnn, I love what Mary Jane has done with your beads. You are both amazing.

stregata said...

Amazing beads have been transformed into an amazing necklace! And anything that makes you smile can only be a good thing!
Congrats on your boy's birthday!
BTW - my kiln should get here next week - I am so excited!

Judy said...

ahhh,my son's birthday was like a national holiday in our home.

I absolutely LOVE the piece Mary Jane made with your beads, the colors are awesome!

sharon said...

Mary did a gorgeous job with your beads LeAnn!! This necklace is so rich and warm looking, just beautiful!

Esther said...

it make us smile to!! congrats to the designer!! this necklace is gorgeous!!

Narrative jewelry said...

What a beautiful post on your son's birth, so lovely words.

Love the pendant Marie Jane created with your beads, the colors are just gorgeous.

xox

Barbara Lewis said...

LeAnn, Maire is so talented. I purchased one of the necklaces she and Mellisa of Chinook were auctioning off for breast cancer. I received it yesterday and I am in awe! Her design aesthetic is unique and so easily recognizable. Her little touches throughout the piece shows so much thought.

Glad you're feeling better ... and there's nothing like family. My 25 y/o daughter is in school in St. Petersburg, my 23 y/o is still at home, but we'll all be in St. Pete for Thanksgiving and again at Christmas. These are the times I treasure!

SueBeads said...

I really love Mary Jane's necklace, too! Happy Birthday to your boy!

peacockfairy said...

Love this necklace!

mairedodd said...

leann, you made me smile today! thank you for your lovely post... i was drawn to those beads from the moment is saw them... they were demanding, not liking any of the company i tried to acquaint them, until now... and it is worth the wait when you feel you have 'done right' by someone's creations...
did you know that the name has a double meaning? the necklace is called 'summer's stain' - for your studio and for the rich colors that remind me of hydrangea bushes...
i am so very glad that you are feeling better - and you were in your studio that day i mailed you if i am remembering correctly! and here i read it was one of your worst days...
very happy-est of birthdays to your son...

TesoriTrovati said...

Delightful necklace...gorgeous beads...birthday blessings to you and your son! Enjoy the day, LeAnn! ;-)
Erin

Cindy said...

What a beautiful piece. I love both you've featured lately by our fellow designer friends! :-) Happy belated b-day to your son!
Cindy
www.sweetbeadstudio.com

Anonymous said...

That necklace would make me smile too. A lovely piece!