safety nets

so, as a blog writer, i made a decision to "keep things light" here. i vowed to make this only about my business, not so much my personal life. but the truth is, it is a very fine line between the two. my business IS very much a part of my personal life. it's all about balancing and meshing and making both things work. and, increasingly, my time in my studio is the perfect therapy for me when i am having a hard time. my troubles and challenges come through in my work, and i feel the need to share that with you. and, i have started to feel a bit deceptive. if i am only sharing with you, dear readers, the high times and happy things in my life, you are not getting a true and accurate picture of who i, kristi marcille-smith, a.k.a. silver sparrow designs, really am. if it is okay with you, i would like to remedy that. this blog has come to mean a lot to me. i look forward to posting and sharing, even though i have no idea who is out there, reading it. it is sort of like a public journal, something of an oxymoron.

i had a bit of a meltdown last night. (there, i said it. not so hard...) it really was pretty bad. one of those late at night, extremely lonely, what-is-my-purpose-in-the-world-and-what-is-the-meaning-of-life? kind of breakdowns. do you know what i am talking about? have you experienced this? and when it was sort of over, i found myself really thinking about the constants in my life. who do i know will be there? what is consistent? what can i count on? who is reliable and who is flaky? safety nets. who and what are they for you?

more and more, when i am feeling depressed, my time in my studio is my lifeline. i have been going through a VERY trying time with my "family of origin". (i've never really liked that term, but if i use it, you will know what i mean.) when i go out there, i am able to truly be who i am and to express myself, through my silver, in a way that is totally unique for me and that works. usually, but not always (because sometimes things don't go how i planned for them to and things melt and ideas turn out to not be so good, etc.) , i leave the studio feeling so much better, so much more in touch with what is so for me.

today was like that. i made this, the "safety net" ring.

the teardrop shaped rutilated quartz forms a perfect webbing for a safety net at the bottom

the base plate is made from 16 gauge silver, heavy. it's luscious

you see, i could have very easily just posted a photo of the ring, along with these photos (and video) from our sledding excursion yesterday. and you would just think everything was hunky-dory as usual. i feel so much better having been honest and sharing with you. please let me know your thoughts, either by commenting below, or by e-mailing , silversparrowdesigns@gmail.com.

but now, after all that heaviness, here's a bit of lightness. we went sledding yesterday!

glenn had to go first a couple of times, to break a track, for safety purposes of course.

and here is the sound of hazel, and june, and myself, having a good laugh.

i hope you are having a lovely sunday. i look forward to our new relationship!

p.s. in the spirit of truth and honesty, i just sent this convo to a customer. i know, it is totally unprofessional. can you guess which necklace i am referring to?

hi there, ******~

i hope you do not feel like i am harassing you. i am SO sorry if you do. however, i just need to write to you. i have never done this before. the truth is, i really regret selling that necklace! it was one of those pieces that was made at a time in my life where i needed some therapy and the creating of it did it for me. when i decided to sell it, i was trying to prove to myself that i could un-attach myself from my work. the truth is, i didn't un-attach myself from that necklace. i so often find myself thinking about it. is she wearing it? does she love it? does it do for her what it did for me? does she REALLY appreciate it? you probably think i am completely insane (which, in some ways, i am). and, of course, if you really do love it and cherish it, i very much want you to keep it. but if there is any part of you that regrets purchasing it, or thinks maybe it's a bit too big, or something about it is just not right, please tell me! i would be happy to exchange it for another piece, or to refund your money, or whatever you would like. i feel so very weird sending this, but you seem like the kind of person who just might understand. i've always been a bit too honest... i look forward to your reply (in fact i will probably be obsessively checking to see if you have...) best,

kristi