It’s good to be back.
I didn’t intend to step away for so long, but I’ve been in the thick of things.
And I needed some quiet time so that I could take a closer look at the big picture, in the hopes of sharpening my view.
And now this more conscious state feels right…somehow more clear and true. And I can see things in a new light – like magic, I’ve been noticing the special little somethings.
This more keen perspective is most alive when I’m at the beach, beneath the vast beauty of the sky…
…and the rolling waters of the sea. Sometimes when I’m at the beach, I can even imagine myself as a bird…soaring and exploring…so happy to let the wind just carry me.
In this mindset of make believe and intense aliveness there’s also an inner quiet and stillness. And this peaceful tension is only interrupted by the things that come into my eye’s view…like these feathers.
Last weekend I was especially lucky at the beach. While walking, after every few steps, I kept seeing feathers in the sand…dozens of them! And these feathers ended up coming home with me. At home I used soap to gently wash the debris off of each one…
…to more fully reveal their striking beauty.
I try to honor these amazing gifts of nature by using my hands…
…to create something like this necklace, which I’m offering as a little giveaway to one of you.
If you’d like a chance to win this token of feather love, simple leave a comment (I’d love to hear about your favorite things about summer) to this post by next Saturday, June 9th, and I’ll be back the next day to announce the winner.
Thanks for stopping by…I know it’s been a while. And I hope that you’ve all been well (and happy)! Happy feather love!
48 Comments, Comment or Ping
it’s so pretty, becky!
fav summer things…
swimming pool
sunshine
bunnies
play
xox
June 2nd, 2012
Oh just lovely and I do so like feathers.
hmm summer is not really here yet and I still have two weeks left of teaching so I have not hit the summer stride. It does not help that it is raining right now either….
but my favs would be:
iced tea
reading a book on the patio
barbecued gorgonzola burgers
and sleeping in (if the animals will allow it)
June 2nd, 2012
so happy to see you back and that you have taken the time needed.
welcome back dear becky. i asked my son to tell me his summer favorites: the beach, birthdays, and homemade popsicles.
June 2nd, 2012
Becky, what a treasure. glad you had time to sit and soak in the scenery. always good to reflect. love this necklace. thanks for sharing yourself. enjoy the week.
June 2nd, 2012
Your necklace is wonderful, Becky! We have some cold and rainy days right now after a few hot ones, but I hope summer will be back soon because I just love feeling the warmth on my skin and smelling nature.
June 2nd, 2012
Hi Becky,
It’s good to have you back! Hope your time of reflection brought some clarity to your life. It’s always good to step away and regroup. My favorite part of summer is the carefree-ness of it. Walking along the beach, eating ice creams, enjoying summer concerts, etc.
Love the feather necklace you made. Your inspiration seems to be endless!
xo
jeanne
June 2nd, 2012
Oh Becky…have you been peeking into my soul? I feel so at home when I’m sitting on the sea’s hem. More relaxed than ever, but somehow more alive than ever. I soak it all in, and almost can’t bear to leave. I love it even when it’s cold and windy, or overcast with storm threatening…I sense the awesomeness of God there, while gazing at the great blue expanse, topped with foamy white wave crests and salty spray.
We will be going on Monday morning. I never go on the weekend…just too many people.
So glad you got a respite from all the cares of your world. A day at the shore is truly balm to my soul. Simply a piece of heaven on earth.
Have a lovely Sunday. Love your feathers. I’ll be looking for some on Monday. :o)
Hugs,
Becky
June 2nd, 2012
Oh…I got so carried away with thoughts of the shore…I forgot to tell you how beautiful your necklace is! One lucky lady will get to enjoy it for a long time!! Pick me…pick me!!
;o)
June 2nd, 2012
Yay, you’re back! You’ve been missed. I’m no longer a fan of long summers but living in CA all my life I will always love the beach. Be it sunny or rainy it’s always beautiful and peaceful to me. Your necklace is beautiful….
June 3rd, 2012
Visiting here always makes me feel happy, what a lovely piece. My favourites of summer, white flowing sun dresses, painted toe nails and eating outside.
love me 🙂
June 3rd, 2012
i like the longer days of summer, and my birthday is in august. about feathers…i still have a small blue jay feather that i found so long ago that i can’t remember. i haven’t seen one since, even though i look to the ground for treasures frequently.
June 3rd, 2012
I’m glad you’re back and well Becky! What a beautiful collection of feathers you have! I also love collecting them while I walk my dog. It’s like we’re both sniffing the ground,lol! But it’s amazing how a simple feather can make me happy. That’s one of the things I love about the Summer – being more connected to nature.
Love the necklace! 🙂
June 3rd, 2012
Welcome back Becky!!! Sounds like you are rested and renewed and ready to let your creativety flow! You have been missed!
June 3rd, 2012
I’m glad that you are back Becky. It’s always good to take time and reflect on the lessons that life teaches us. I love your comment about honouring the gifts that nature gives us. I will “honour” that comment this summer as my husband and I boat in beautiful Georgian Bay. It is the most peaceful and awe inspiring place to be and we love it.
June 3rd, 2012
The corn is growing quickly here in Maryland and after some very hot days, it is cool and wonderful again…. the sailboats are filling the little creek off the Chesapeake Bay where I live and the osprey and herons and bald eagles are nesting and soaring and filling the air with their wonderfulness. I have been finding more feathers as well…. a favorite thing to collect… Thanks for your beautiful images of feathers… I wish I could fly!!!
June 3rd, 2012
My favorite things about summer are the beautiful days filled with sunshine, fresh fruits and vegtables. I love dinners out side in the fresh air.
Thanks for sharing with us, Di@cottage-wishes
June 3rd, 2012
Hi Becky,
I love to sit on the porch in the mountains and watch the hawks soar overhead. As I am watching I, too,can imagine being up in the sky, riding a thermal, free to be. Your art always touches my heart because birds and feathers are such an iconic image for me as well. Glad you are back!
Dottie
June 3rd, 2012
How lovely to know that we’re all so similar…although I’m not surprised. Creative souls seem to float along on the same airwaves.
June 3rd, 2012
Oh how I long to go to the beach! I wish it wasn’t so far…about 4-5 hours. Still, when I look at your photos and read your words, I know I need to just GO and go soon. I love your feather necklace…your jewelry has such a peaceful aura, Becky. Hope you’re having a great weekend. 🙂
June 3rd, 2012
i, too find solace at the beach-what fun to create something to remind you of that moment-
June 3rd, 2012
Summer is actually my LEAST favorite season, but I will admit that I like the longer hours of daylight. What a delightful necklace!
June 3rd, 2012
Good morning Becky and I am glad you’re back. You have been missed but you needed the break I am sure. 🙂
I have been following your work for awhile now and love the fact that you are “me” in jewelery! You make things that I love.
Summertime is the time for fresh cut grass and beautiful wild roses! The wonderful fragrance of Lilacs and Sweet William 🙂 Summertime teas and knitting in the shade! Love it.
Feathers seem to be apart of many things in my place, dream catchers and on cards. They are something from the childhood days of walking along and finding one and picking it up to take it home to Mum. I really would love the change to finally have a piece of your lovely work in my hand! Have a lovely creative day. 🙂
June 3rd, 2012
So good to hear from you Becky, I’ve been wondering about you 🙂 My most favorite two things about summer: the soft rain and birds singing-love love.
So glad you are enjoying it, hugs!
Tami
June 3rd, 2012
I love your blog with its wonderful and inspirational words and thoughts and art I have a dear friend who is “artsy” like you and I showed her your art and she loved it. Her and I are palnning on doing the net nexklace with the girls of ’65. Keep up the great site. Makes my day! Sharon
June 3rd, 2012
Hi, Becky! I love feathers, too – you have created a wonderful one of a kind piece with this!! Glad you are able to spend time at the beach; I feel the same way just walking where there are a lot of trees with the sky peeking through the branches.
Thanks for the chance to win your beautiful necklace!
June 3rd, 2012
Thank you for this beautiful post. I love that the beach is your perspective place. Mine is in the sky – flying along sitting in front of my husband as he pilots our little Piper Cub – the doors are open, the air is whooshing by, the only sound is that of the engine droning along. I look down at the gorgeous Pocono Mountains and Praise God that He loves me so much even though I am but a speck on this beautiful earth. He loves you too Becky!
Though I adore your latest creation, please don’t enter me in the drawing – you’ve been so generous to me at other times! Just today I used a bit of batting and interfacing that the necklace you sent came in – I’ve made it into a little birdie in my art journal! It’s not on my blog yet but will be as soon as it’s finished!
I wish you peace,
Teresa
June 3rd, 2012
Ah, Becky, that struck such a chord with me……I still have a special small white feather (I keep it under glass) that I came across while I was on a walk one day, talking to God about my Mother, who has long been gone from us. This feather just floated down right in front of me, no bird in sight! I also use feathers a lot in my collage and card work. Thanks for sharing your insight about feathers. It is always good, to me, to find others who share feelings. It keeps me connected to the world.
June 3rd, 2012
Beautiful shots Becky. I especially love that second one. Being a born and bred Florida girl who’s never lived more than 45 minutes from the beach, what you’ve said here speaks to me dearly. I am never more at peace than when I’m just sitting and staring out at the big blue water. There’s something so calming about it, even when whipped up in a storm.
June 3rd, 2012
how sweet…adore it!! would love an opportunity to hold anything your amazingly creative hands have made! as for summer….i love going to the ocean when everyone else has left. that time between sun bathers and those who like to walk the beach at dusk. it’s so calm…peaceful….it refreshes my soul.
June 3rd, 2012
I have missed you Becky-and was thisclosetoemailingyou. Your nature inspired photos are just beautiful as is your special necklace. I also love finding special feathers (those that I think “speak to me” if you will) and also have a handful of small mostly white (which I gravitate to) ones along the shore. You have given that one little feather another season, along with another reason to really see the beauty in it all. Welcome back.
June 3rd, 2012
I’m so happy you got some me time and had time to reflect!! I believe we all need that from time to time!! I love birds and all their beautiful colored feathers!! Your necklace is simply beautiful and I would so love to win it!! Summer is my time of year to feed the hummingbirds and watch them as their babies all come to feed on our feeders we have up for them!! It’s also my time to be creative again since I am on my summer break from work, so I am hoping to post again to my poor neglected blog soon as well!! Happy to see you back again!!
June 3rd, 2012
welcome back, dear friend.
you are wise to take time when
you need it.
my favorite thing
about summer, is summer itself!
as a teacher, i find myself again
at home.
much love, and thank you
for a chance to win this
beautiful piece that you
created and will share with
us!!! i love your work.
miss lynn
June 3rd, 2012
So beautiful! I always enjoy your visits to the sea! Happily living in the Seattle area now!
June 4th, 2012
Ahhh, she’s back. I start to read your blog and I immediately feel peace. And think “hey, I need to go to the beach.” Welcome back!! You were missed!
June 4th, 2012
Welcome back…and thanks for sharing! Birds of a feather……..
June 4th, 2012
Beautiful necklace! I am a summer girl through and through. My favorite things are days at the beach with my kids, a cold glass of white wine on a warm night, porch swings and watching the wildlife in my new front yard. Things are looking up in my life and I’m finally feeling the positive energy that comes from making the right decisions. Welcome back to you. I missed your writings!
June 4th, 2012
What a beautiful necklace! I love all your photographs too. Welcome back to blogging.
June 4th, 2012
Dear Becky….what a lovely post.
I am most at home near the shore as well. It soothes my soul; the sound of the water, the smell of the breeze, the colors of sea, sand and sky. Long nights and the beach are what I love the most about summer.
June 4th, 2012
Welcome back 😀 You were missed~
I love all of your ethereal finds…amazing~
These photos and your words sooth one’s soul…
Happy these gently fell into your hands…
What a wonderful treasured sentiment you have made~
Beautiful!
I miss this view…I am going to make time to go fill this part of my soul….
Thanks Becky~
June 4th, 2012
I am so glad you are renewed and back blogging. Your visit to the beach must have been heavenly. Your found feathers are fabulous. So sweet of you to offer this beautiful necklace to your lucky followers. Blissful creating dear…
June 4th, 2012
What a pretty necklace…the (freshly laundered) feather looks perfect!
I’m glad that you enjoyed and were blessed by your time away. Thank you for blessing us in turn.
Have a lovely day Becky!
June 4th, 2012
Becky, I’m sitting on my back porch listening to the chirpy sounds of summer and getting my soul on for the day! I’ve admired your art for a few years but recently found your blog. You and your work inspire me so thank you. Btw….feather love immediately made me think of one of my fav books…..Gifts from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh.
June 5th, 2012
Definitely being near the ocean is one of my all time favourte things. I live inland and don’t get to indulge very often but when I do I am transported out of time. Walking the beach collecting small tidbits of flotsam (of value to very few besides myself) little bits of pretty shells, seaweed, small pieces of drift wood, and yes feathers, even the occasional tiny cone from some unknown tree. All the little tide eddies that carry along mysterious collections to be examined and exclaimed over. Whenever I go down to the ocean I get lost for hours beachcombing and come back with a handful of little treasures that sustain me until I can visit again.
I love the feather necklace, it is a beauty. I remember last summer going to a local park in my city (one that has a large pond and therefore a large contingent of resident ducks to grace it’s paths) As I walked along the grassy hills I was delighted to find dozens of feathers blowing along the grass, carried on the breeze. I of course had to collect as many as I could catch and found to my delight all kinds of lovely little ones. I had to hide them away when I got home as my cat thought that I brought them home especially for her and they slipped from my mind. Your post has inspired me to dig them out of safe keeping and use them to make some art.
So glad you are back sharing with use once again.
June 5th, 2012
What a beautiful necklace and so simple. I love it. Some of my favorite things about summer are hanging clothes on my clothes line, playing in the sprinkler with my grandkids, looking for treasures ie. feathers, rocks, nests, sticks, with them also. Thanks for the chance to win, I always love the things you do!!
June 5th, 2012
Gosh……that it’s lighter longer, wearing warm weather clothes, working in
my garden and naps in the porch swing! Pretty simple things, really.
Marie
June 5th, 2012
Simple things are the best! Thanks for sharing everyone…I’m really enjoying it.
June 6th, 2012
Hi Becky, how nice to have a bit of quiet time….it really can make such a world of difference to how you see (or dont see) things. I too cannot resist a feather ~ there is something magical about them….if they could only tell us where they’ve been and what they’ve seen….
Welcome back (O:
June 7th, 2012
Hello Becky, Love, love your necklace! Feathers have a special meaning for me. They remind me of my dad who passed away 2 years ago, this month. Summer is my favorite time of the year and trips to the beach are my most favorite vacations. The sound of the waves, sunrises and sunsets, the gorgeous color of the water, the ocean breeze, walking down the beach looking for the perfect sea shell, not a care in the world…I could go on and on….
June 9th, 2012
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