Thursday, February 7, 2013

Inspired by Winter Blog Hop

It's been a little while since I joined in a challenge, and Sally's Inspired by Winter Challenge sparked my curiosity.  I don't often use wintry colors or symbols in my jewelry, so I thought I'd take a shot at it.

I started thinking about what it is I love about winter.  I kept coming back to the nights.  Snow, of course, and the nights.  Then I immediately though of some very fond memories of cold winter nights.  So this piece was born from a memory, or story of sorts.

I kinda wrote it out short story style, something I used to do often, and miss dearly.  I hope you enjoy.

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It was a dark, crystal clear night, and the air in the woods I knew as home had a cleansing crispness to it.   I put on my gloves, and tightened my coat.  It was cold enough for snow, but there was none.  There was only the darkest, clearest sky I'd seen in ages.  Every star of every constellation I'd studied was perfectly clear.  What wasn't clear, was my vision, as the tears flowed down.

I plopped myself down on the icy ground, and a shot of cold ran through me, sending shivers.  I wiped my tears and looked up at the stars, wondering who else may be watching them.  Wondering if she, my best friend, halfway around the world, was watching them too.  We had spent so many ice cold nights star gazing.  We had to learn the constellations for school, but really, we just loved doing it.  We knew all the constellations, stars, and spent hours on our backs, looking up, and talking about boys, clothes, life.....the things girls talk about at 14 years old.  

I thought of her now, and how unfair life was, that she was so far away.  I let the tears flow, and breathed in the crisp, cleansing air.  Each frozen breath seemed to revive my soul, and with each one, I felt a little better.  

I wonder if she knows how special those times were to me, how much she touched my life.  How just the crisp clean winter air makes me think of the times we spent laughing and laughing, making memories.  I wonder if she knew how much I missed her when she left.

So now, to this day, I go out on cold nights, to breath the cleansing crispness of the crystal clear air.  I think on things I love, on people I care for. I stare at the wonderful moon, against the backdrop of bare trees.  There are hints of frost, sparkles, tiny specs of beauty in the barrenness of winter.  I find the stars I know, make wishes, send prayers, and love it....every minute of it.  Until I am frozen, and ready to thaw.
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I hadn't planned to write anything for this, but the memory, and why I love this about winter, was just very powerful.  My piece came together so easily, as it often does when you are so truly inspired.


I used crystal quartz, for the frozen shimmers and the crystal clear air that I love to breathe.  I chose one of my full moon clasps for the focal and a star connect in bronze too.  I added a silver swirl to represent the galaxies, and a little Buddha at the bottom for the thoughts and prayers I think of at these times.  I went with browns and crystal, since growing up in the woods, winter was dark, bare, and earth toned, unless there was snow.  

I love this piece, and I am so thankful I got to revisit a time when life was simpler care-free, as well as a time of sadness, that these cold winter nights helped me through.




 
Staci Smith (you are here)

24 comments:

  1. What a powerful story, Staci, perfectly represented in your lovely creation! I really love the crystal quartz which just screams winter inandof itself! Beautiful!

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  2. Wow...beautiful blog post to go along with a beautiful piece. I just love your clasp!! I struggle with clasps and this is outstanding. :)

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  3. Absolutely stunning! I love the moon clasp with the crystals and I thought of sticks when I looked at the bundle under the clasp. Loved your story also - at 14, it really hurts when best friends seperate.

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  4. I like the subtle tones and particularly that moon clasp! I love the moon in winter.

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  5. Love your story that accompanied your winter creation. The full moon clasp you created is fabulous.

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  6. Wonderful writing! You really brought us to a place and time, and your piece really speaks to that! I love all the stars, galaxy pieces and those straight pieces above the focal are seriously cool - what are those? It is absolutely beautiful on!!

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    1. the straight pieces are layers of sheet metal and stick pearls.

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  7. And now that I read the story that inspired this necklace I understand why it flows so well.
    I understand your affinity with a winter night from my living in Alaska for over 30 years.

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  8. Wow! Your story is beautiful. I could feel my heart opening. I really felt like I was there on the ice staring at the stars with you. It makes for a fitting backdrop for the necklace (oops, drooling on my keyboard again...wipe) which is just amazing. I'm just sitting here feeling the power of it all. You are amazing.
    About the necklace,I love the big icy crystal. It feels like all the metal work is inviting it, making it at home. Your clasp reminds me of a big moon and it looks like little stars and planets etched in maybe? Gorgeous.

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  9. Ohhh I so agree with Gaia! The story, the necklace....makes me drool! Gorgeous piece! I love the chunky feel to it, like the large stones, or ice chunks you see in the winter! Good Job!

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  10. I just love the way you think and interpret things Miss Staci! This is so beautiful, I can feel the crisp air and see the stars and feel the love in your heart. Thank you for sharing. Enjoy the day. Erin

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  11. Your gorgeous necklaces brings your beautiful story to life, with a perfect and visually happy ending!

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  12. Oh, my stars! I think you've rendered me speechless. Brilliant combination of story, tones, and textures.

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  13. You always create such amazing bold statement pieces! I wish I had the talent to balance all those bold components like you do. Love how this ties in to your memories and how every part is like a solidified emotion :)

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  14. I love all of the elements you chose to create this stunning piece!

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  15. Staci, I'm in awe of your storytelling skills and your beautiful necklace. The organic beauty of your necklace is breathtaking! I read your short story before scrolling down to your piece and when I took in the piece itself I can see that your were truly inspired by a memory, a beautiful night sky and the crispness of Winter. I adore your beautiful work of art, THANK YOU for participating in the challenge. You need to write more!!

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  16. Staci, that is just gorgeous. I am always in awe of what you create and how you make all the elements fit together so well and this is no exception. I love the crystals with your components and your moon toggle -- wow!

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  17. That necklace is truly magical! I am forever in awe of how you pull together such varied objects into such cohesive, amazing necklaces. Yours is a *true* talent.

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  18. I love jewelry that has a story behind it. This piece is very special because of the memories it invokes. I like how you put it together, and it looks great!

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  19. Stunning work! I am always in awe of people who can take such diverse elements as these and bring them together in a way that looks cohesive and tells a story.

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  20. I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. Your story is so touching, and your necklace is stunning! It all just flows together beautifully, with each component telling a part of your story.

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  21. Such a beautiful piece! I love all the elements you combined here. Thank you for sharing!

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  22. Oh Staci! (Sorry Im late) YOur story painted a picture and the piece suits it so well. The clasp focal with the quartz may be my favorite section of the piece. Lovely!!!!

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  23. Staci, your story brought tears to my eyes!! Your necklac is jaw-dropping cool - awesomeness at it's best! I love everything about it, especially the meaning behing each component. Thanks for taking us all on a special journey, it was fabulous!!

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