Report from the Trenches: Week Six

My sixth week of work on my "Battle of the Beadsmith" piece is over; and I'm going to to do my best to give you a report without giving away any top-secret information. I can't release any photos, or give you any specifics of the design until the battle has actually begun and my photos are turned loose to joust in their first round. But, until then, here are a few thoughts and musings from the sixth week:

I've finished my piece. It's been photographed and emailed; now I'm just hunkering down, waiting for the big reveal and the jousting to begin.

I was surprised when I realized it was done; until the very last minute, I didn't know how it would turn out. I ran with my gut on this one; I did what felt right. I'm happy with it; it was an emotional piece for me and it brought up a lot of strong feelings. When I started it, I wanted it to be a healing piece, and it was.  The stones I used were purchased in a time of loss, with the hope of healing. They sat in a drawer for a long time; I know now that I wasn't quite ready to heal.

There was more loss while I worked on this piece, and with it, came healing. I let go of some things that had been keeping me from healing; I found peace in spite of sadness. This piece embodies my strength, my stubbornness, my joy, my sorrow. It has all of my fight in it. No matter what happens in the battle to come, it's the best I have to offer.

It's not what I expected to bead. It's not a showpiece; it's my heart. I didn't know I could do that.

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