February 2, 2013

Wellness Words Jewelry Challenge

When I saw Tracy Statler's Inspired Change: Wellness Word Challenge, I knew I wanted to jump in since it so fit in with my word for this year: Connect.  2013 is the year I work at making connections in all aspects of my life, both online and offline, personally and professionally, physically and spiritually. 


My defacto way of dealing with stress is to retreat inward and create.  Which is awesome fun, but not a healthy way of dealing with overwhelming issues in my life. And with moving to a new town, while I'm able to connect more with my family than I have in years, I need to start making some friends and connections in our tiny town. Which honestly, that has been a struggle for me because I work from home in the middle of no where!

For my piece of jewelry, I created a bracelet with my tree house bead to remind myself to get out of the house and safety of my nest to make connections.  The copper oak leaves are there to remind me that change is good, and working on making connections will bring all sorts of good changes into my life.  The world is a much better place when we are helping each other along, cheering, lifting each other up and sharing in our struggles.

Take some time and visit the other jewelry artists who are committed to making a positive change in 2013 and their jewelry designs to inspire that change:


acreativeforce.blogspot.com
alankarshilpa.blogspot.com
allprettythings.ca
anniamaebisuteria.blogspot.com.es/
apolymerpenchant.com
beadlolabead.blogspot.com/
beadrecipes.wordpress.com
centsations.wordpress.com
clay-space.com/
creativeatelier.net
elliesbijoux.com
emakdesigns.com
erinsiegel.com
etsy.com/shop/shamaen
facebook.com/hotsouthernmessdesigns
facebook.com/soquilidesigns
fairiesmarket.blogspot.com
firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com
gemsbyjudy.com
glasstastreasures.blogspot.com
handcraftedserenity.blogspot.com
humblebeads.com
facebook.com/azuresunshines
facebook.com/whdalaska
jeanetteblix.com
kimmykats.com
kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com
lisayangjewelry.com
macmillanmarie.blogspot.com
makebraceletsblog.com
miabellasoul.com
misheldesigns.com
mycreativechallenge.blogspot.com
noseycritters.blogspot.com
pixiloo.blogspot.com
sandivolpe.com
sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com
shaterra.etsy.com
shinylittlethings.blogspot.com
shymedesign.se
shymessmycken.blogspot.se
simpleearthcreations.com
soultosubstance.com
suebeads.com
sunshinebliss.com
sweetbeadstudio.com
sweetwillowdesigns.blogspot.com
thebeadingyogini.com
thestudiosublime.com
treasures-found.blogspot.com
twitter.com/ldymlivelystone
vault31.blogspot.com
veradesigns.blogspot.com

12 comments:

Cindy said...

Heather, what an incredibly beautiful necklace! I can just see it worn - so eye catching. But what makes it even more special is the meaning you have attached to it and the components you used to symbolize your guiding word for the year. I think you are really a master at making connections, from founding Art Bead Scene, to constantly helping out fellow jewelry designers with your voice of experience and words of support.
I do hope you'll be able to make many great in-person connections in your new home town - I'm sure it will all come in time. :-)

Tracy Statler said...

It's a really beautiful bracelet Heather. Your house bead is perfect for your word! I think of you as being good at connections as well, but I understand there is a huge difference between communicating and connecting online vs. in person! Good luck meeting new people. I hope it's an enjoyable adventure for you! Thank you for participating in the challenge, it means a great deal to me!

Tracy

Tanya said...

That is a gorgeous bracelet. Your little house seems so at home (oardon the pun) between those leaf connectors.

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

Your bracelet and it's meaning is really beautiful! I love how you put the oak leaves on either side of your beautiful house pendant. I can relate to your struggle of connecting with people in a new town. Attending ArtBliss here in northern Virginia was the best thing I did; not only because I learned some great new techniques in metal and polymer clay but also met some wonderful people who live in my area! Now we try to meet up for bead shows or dinner somewhere. It really makes our new town feel more like home.

Cece Cormier said...

Love the symbolism in your bracelet. It is a challenge to connect when living in a rural area and when being passionately involved in your art and business it does take extra effort. Best wishes for some lasting meet ups.

Sharon said...

Hi Heather, Your bracelet speaks of connection between home and the outside world, very pretty.

Speaking of connecting, visit my blog and see what I made for Tracy's challenge! Have fun connecting!

Rebecca said...

So pretty. I love those copper leaves too, have been using them all over the place recently! They go so perfectly with all shades of turquoise and aqua. Connect is a great word. I am definitely a retreater too, when things are difficult or I am stressed. I hope you make some great new connections in 2013!

Unknown said...

I got your book for Christmas. It is very inspiring

Anonymous said...

I've lived in a very small town for many years, and I understand how difficult it is to make new friends. Especially, if you work from home. I do think it's important to leave our house and get out in the community, even if it's just for running errands or walking a dog or taking a walk thru the neighborhood. New friendships can bloom anywhere:)
I love the symbolism behind each of the components your choose for your bracelet. Definitely a conversational piece...

TesoriTrovati said...

A powerful and simple way to remind yourself of this innate need that we all have to form connections. And it seems from my vantage point that you are well on your way to meeting this word and making it real! I hope that we will have a chance to connect this year, time to just get together and be. Wouldn't that be lovely?! Enjoy the day, dear friend. Erin

Anonymous said...

Your bracelet is beautiful Heather! You're so talented and your beads are gorgeous as ever!

Anonymous said...

I love the meanings you have imbued into your bracelet Heather, and I hope it reminds you to get out there and make connections, something that is easier said than done I find!