Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Letting Go


I like to be in control. I like perfect circles. I like things all lined up neat and orderly. I compulsively straighten pictures on the wall. I'll even do it on your walls. Just not when you are looking.

Yesterday, I was making bronze components for a necklace I wanted to make. I wanted something other than jumprings to connect chain to a strung portion. The clay wouldn't behave. And then I looked at what I thought was a perfect mess and said to myself, it's OK to let go of perfection. Perfectly, imperfect. Isn't that really how life is?



Obviously, I haven't let go of symetrical. There's always tomorrow for that.

Thanks, everyone for your warm thoughts and support while I find my way through my son's deployment. So many lovely kind people I have gotten to know through this blog and yours.

13 comments:

moonlitfantaseas said...

I love the bronze links and you are right perfect is not all its cracked up to be, I like the way these look, I have been trying to do asymmetrical, and have a hard time not matching things up on both sides, old habits are hard to break !
you and your son ore in my thoughts and prayers

Gardanne said...

I am trying to be less symmetrical too LeAnn. Also wanted to send some hugs your way in regards to your last post.

Pearl and Pebble said...

Oh LeAnn I love these so much!!! A little wonkey is good for the soul-it's natural. A big cyber hug for you too:)

sharon said...

I love things to be "off"...it's my most favorite thing....I say embrace it! I find it hard to do symmetrical.

The circles are so cool!

Cristi Baxter Clothier said...

Hi LeAnn! Wonky is good! Definitely embrace it.

I just bought some of these little beauties. Can't wait to get them.

Marie Cramp said...

I love the perfectly imperfect circles! They are amazing!! Thanks for sharing :)

Cindy said...

LeAnn, what a beautiful piece...full of your own amazing components. There's nothing wrong with symmetry!! I think you do it well, and I know I sure like what I see! :-)
Cindy

TesoriTrovati said...

Happy accidents is what I would call those. Can I have your rejects? ;-)
And I am with Christi...wonky is good! Especially when you are slightly lopsided like me. Enjoy the day! Erin

Judy said...

I just love the connectors! It took me a while to get out of the box too...you will get there.

stregata said...

Those pieces are fantastic - perfectly imperfect. Look at how many variations of (im)perfect there can be for a flower - all beautiful. You don't necessarily have to let go of symetrical - it has harmony and that is soothing.
I love where your creative journey is taking you!
And I send you big, big hugs - because you are a friend.

Pretty Things said...

You and I are so alike in this regard. I have a hard time not working something to death to get it Just. So. And my favorite pieces that other people make are asymmetric, but I have such a hard time working that way!

(I love what you do, btw)!

Anonymous said...

LeAnn,
The bronze components are really beautiful. The fact that they are not perfect circles makes them even more appealing. You're inspiring me to get my bronze clay out. (Something I haven't done since last fall.)
Thank you for your candid posts about your son's deployment. It keeps him and all of our servicemen and women in our thoughts and prayers. Right where they should be.

Clair said...

I've just found your blog (through a long string of beautiful jewellery artists) and, I have to say, these look pretty near perfection to me. They look amazing!