Sometimes we are inexplicably drawn to things until we engage them to find out whatever we are supposed to learn from them. We might encounter a thing and tell ourselves that we don't need it or it's somehow superfluous but then find ourselves returning to it - even if it takes us out of our way. Such was the case when I recently bought an old blue and coppertone art-glass bead necklace in a local antique shop.
I went to this shop back in January to pay my condolences to the owner - a lovely sixty-something year-old woman and well-known local merchant who suddenly lost her husband to a heart attack before Christmas. I saw Nan briefly and told her my family was praying for her and that I would keep her in my healing thoughts.
I visited Nan again in February to offer continued support - in whatever way I could even though I did not know her well. She was behind the counter when I entered the shop last week - appearing shockingly thin and drawn compared to they way she looked prior to her husband's death. She thanked me for coming in and said that she was still lost and numb (her husband having passed only 4 months before) but putting one foot in front of the other because life - indeed - must go on. As we spoke and shared thoughts about loss and recovery, I noticed some striking olive-shaped blue and copper lustre beads in the counter case in front of me. Nan pulled them out for me to see. ... smooth and pleasing to finger; fantastic color/hue marriage!; unique; artsy as hell ... I could hardly put them down once they were in my hands. Nan offered me a great price for them but I didn't buy them that day - couldn't justify the cost in my mind given my budget. I soon departed but told Nan I might come back - soon.
Sure enough - 7 days later my car had it's way with me and took me back to her shop. Something greater than me drew me back to Nan's shop - something that had nothing to do with compulsive buying. Nan brightened a bit when I saw her again ... she gave me a knowing smile and took the copper blue beads out of the case again for me to hold. She offered me a bit more off the price. I instinctively knew the beads HAD to go home with me. We shared personal bits again. I told her that my dad died of heart disease ... that I lost my mom 4 years ago to cancer and then a favorite uncle as well to complications of aging. We agreed that misery does not love company - that burdens shared are "halved" just as joys shared are "doubled."
Although I love to bead and redesign older jewelry, I've been know to procrastinate on projects. In this case, I felt spiritually compelled to restring the copper blue beads into a new necklace the day after I bought them which happened to be February 13th (last Sunday).
Creating is like childbirth in it's unpredictable timing. A birth can take hours as one labors to deliver whatever unique creation the master Creator is urging one to bring forth. Or a creation can "pop" when least expected! The "pop" turned out be the case with the redesigned copper blue necklace. I had solid copper findings, fine wire, and a finishing copper toggle come together on my bead board in record time. I was pleased with the outcome and wondered how the birth came so fast and with relative ease. I thought of Nan at the shop, and love, and compassion, and sharing, and the joy I experience as an artist creating - so akin to my dad ... and then I realized that this necklace came to be on the 31st anniversary of my dad's passing. He died on Feb., 13, 1980; it was the same year John Lennon died so the light went out for me then - BIG TIME!
... now years later it dawns on me that the whole buy-the-bead experience was not something I orchestrated. The Master Creator had a loving, connect-the-dot hand in it. I look forward to returning to Nan's shop this weekend and showing her the necklace. This is how I bead. I buy old necklaces and jewelry bits that speak to my heart. I feel God's presence and I intuitively know when to buy beads that I will rework. When my creations turn out in ways beyond my expectations, I know the Master's hands have been expertly guiding mine. It all comes together like a spring bud ripening and busting open in the warm sun for all to see.
Life soars - even in grief times - when I follow the grace of God within that brings me back to things I am not supposed to let pass because if I engage them - God will work my head-hand-heart artistry to create a greater good. This is how I see myself expanding vitality and creative passion in a world that sorely needs art and beauty to offset the darkness of human loss and suffering.
Come spring, it will be fun to see what new treasures come into Nan's shop. I experience great joy in rebirthing vintage and contemporary beads into one-of-a-kind pieces. As always, I provide design services and will rework some of your favorite beads or a piece from your jewelry box into an updated necklace or bracelet ... earrings as well. Free estimates upon request.
(Note: My dad was a construction superintendent by day and a talented painter and metal sculptor by night. Attached photo is Circa 1955)
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