One Year and Three Month Anniversary!

Flying High Tiny Dancer Oriel

Oh my -- the one year anniversary of this blog has come and gone without me mentioning it!!! How did that happen? Well, you know, they say time flies when you're havin' fun!

I began this blog on January 25, 2009, with a blog post entitled Freedom. My intention was to attempt to move steadily into my creativity and art making, and chronicle these endeavors in a blog.

I was drawn to the phenomenon of art blogging and wondered if I too could use this internet journaling as a way to explore and challenge my creativity and inner processes. For many, many years I had danced away from my creative talents. Creating collages and exploring myself in relation to them was something that I would do in spurts, with many dry years passing in between. It occurred to me that I could create artful goals and challenges for myself, announce them online, and then hold myself accountable online as well. Perhaps blogging would provide a vehicle that would stimulate and reinforce the creative habit. As a reality check, I also began my blog acknowledging the side of me that was a worrier with depression as a frequent friend, and all too willing to procrastinate and hide under the covers.

Many, many years ago I read a short story by Catherine Petroski, Beautiful My Mane in the Wind. I resonated deeply with the feeling of the young girl who would pretend she was a horse when things got tough. So it seemed appropriate that my blog's name should reflect that feeling. My Mane Blowing in the Wind represents the me that desires to move through life creatively, with freedom, and confidence -- like a horse running over the hills with its mane blowing in the wind -- or a girl on a motorcycle with her hair whipping behind her -- or a Hollywood starlet in a red MG with its top down. See you get the picture!

After a year and a bit of posting, I have to say that my blog has been exactly what I wanted it to be. I have set creative goals and met more of them than those I have not. I have met and made friends with some terrific people out in the blogging world. I am also not so worried anymore. I am enjoying the process, and I find that as I move on down the road, there is always another door to open, one more cup to drink from, another kite to fly. And most surprisingly -- there is growing sense of freedom -- my mane is blowing in the wind!

"Tiny Dancer" Oriel Pendants

Modern U

Dream Girl

Tango Dream

Ballet Green

Audrey Hep Jazz

I am excited to announce a new line of oriels -- Tiny Dancers -- that I have created exclusively for Stage Dor Dance Studio and Performance Space in Sausalito, CA. I have been dancing with the owner, Doree Clark, for over 20 years. Doree is an inspiring teacher who believes that anyone can dance if they have the desire to! And if you look at the people who come to her studios -- you realize that this is true -- they come from all walks of life, have different careers as well as unlikely ones, varying degrees of talent -- yet they all have the desire to move to music. It's a wonderful mix and many of us perform in front of the public several times a year with the Don't Quit Your Day Job Dancers under her direction.

Doree loves my jewelry, and asked me to create a line of oriels that features dancers from various dance disciplines. The dance styles featured (so far) cover: Lyrical Jazz, Ballroom, Tango, Cabaret, Broadway, Modern, Hip Hop, Belly Dance and more -- most of which are taught joyously at Stage Dor! If you are in the area, drop by and see my Tiny Dancer necklaces, try out a dance class, or come see our November show: Earth Girls Are Easy!