My Contempt with the South

I have many emotions flooding my being right now. Not good ones either. More sadness and anger. We moved to NC to experience another place and because it was warm, the cost of living was lower than Upstate NY, NO SNOW and the seasons were longer. These are all still very important to me and I love it here for those reasons. There is no doubt that it is beautiful here and each morning I wake up and look around I continue to be in awe with it. BUT the social, educational and environmental issues continue to bother me and more so now that my son is in school. My daughter attends a preschool that fosters open minded thinking, tolerance for all individuals without regard to religion, race, sex etc. and respects the environment so these issues are not prevalent. When we moved here we were naive and did not have a clue that such hatred still existed and continued to be prolific.

Over the last few weeks our family has been faced with a few issues that have come up and thankfully Gavin asks questions and comes to us with them. A few weeks ago while playing with his friend on the play ground Gavin was told that he shouldn't play with black boys because they could beat him up. I heard his friend stand up and say to the boys that they shouldn't say that because it was racist. I of course told him I was proud of him for taking a stand and wondered what they said and he quickly told me. Upon hearing what transpired, I told the boys if they didn't have anything nice to say they shouldn't say anything at all and shortly after that they left the playground.

My husband told me this morning that Gavin asked the best question and he was surprised by it but glad he asked. As he told me the question and his response I was flooded with many emotions and tears welled in my eyes. Gavin was told by someone at his school that only white people could marry white people and black people had to marry black people. Of course Gavin was testing it and asked if it was true. My heart filled with joy that he asked but was filled with sadness that he was told that and he's only in kindergarten. My husband of course told him that when he is old enough to marry someone he should love them for the person they are not for the color of their skin. He explained that we chose friends based on their character and whether they were good people not for what they looked like.

It's alarming and sad to me that my children are faced with such hatred and we have to undo what has been done while they are away. Thankfully they ask questions and we have a family that fosters open minded thinking and open communication with each other.

Someday I hope that we as people come together and love each other for who we are and not what color our skin is or what religion we believe in.

Peace. A small word with a tremendous message...

Support handcrafted items

Tomorrow is the GRAND OPENING of CJ's Boutique in Clemmons, NC

Wired Art from Whimsical Jewels copyright 2008

Top : Peace, Love & Harmony wired word art with red & black acrylic paint

Middle: Frame with wire wrapped glass

Bottom: Wired Sun with blend of red and yellow acrylic paint

Grand Opening is Friday 2/1 and Saturday 2/2 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Location: Meadowbrook Mall, Suite 7A next to Curves in the mall and across from The Village Inn & Conference Center

Why am I writing about this?

1) Because my wire work is at the boutique

AND

2) it's a boutique for ONLY Handcrafted items!!!

Here is some of my wire work items currently at the boutique along with items above:

Copyright 2008: Whimsical Jewels

Me & a cup of joe wired card

The Song of my heart wired card

Midnight Star wired card

Flower wired card

We are all connected wired card

Java? wired card

Please keep checking back for updates regarding the boutique. I hope to feature some of the boutique's handcrafters on my blog over the next few weeks with pictures of their items and a little bit about them.

The boutique has:

Jewelry, wire working, candles, fused glass pendants, americana, baby accessories, recycled knitwear, custom embroidery, wine charms, oil paintings, basketry, woodworking, fiber art, silk screen tees, pyrography, painted gourds, handbags, custom pillows, glass painting, pressed flower art, greek design, vintage children's wear, personalized painted children's items, pottery, soy candles, silk painting, primitives, florals, ceramic tile art, crib sets, phone charms, stained glass, framed prints

AND

Ladies designer consignment clothing

Phone to boutique: 336-766-9355

New shop items!

Here are some recent additions to my etsy shop:

*~*~*JEWELRY*~*~*

Unity Necklace: http://www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com/

Copyright 2007: Whimsical Jewels

Made as part of my harmony series inspired by segregation that continues to exist in our country and across the world.

Caramel Drop Earrings: www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com

Copyright: Whimsical Jewels 2007

Tiger's Eye Necklace: www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com

Copyright: Whimsical Jewels 2007

*~*~*Home Decor*~*~*

Peace, Love & Harmony: www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com

Copyright: Whimsical Jewels 2007

Part of my harmony series in celebration of peace for all mankind.

Colorful Candle Holder: www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com

Copyright: Whimsical Jewels 2007

Letting go

Over the last few weeks I have been pondering this thought. A simple concept but at the same time so hard to do. I have given great thought to the magnitude of power those two words have and at the same time the power it has if you don't follow the concept.

So in an effort of letting go....yesterday is yesterday. Today is today. What happened a minute ago happened a minute ago, it can't be changed so let it go. There are too many other wonderous moments to be captured and if you are holding on to something that should be released, let go of it, you may and will miss the moment. It feels good to say goodbye. Take in a deep breath and remember life is too good and you may miss it if you are still holding on to yesterday.

I have learned: (and sometimes forget)


~You can't change people, only yourself.
~People are who they are and it's okay.
~It is what it is-no more, no less.
~Our thoughts are sometimes not our friend. :)
~Our words can damage someone so be careful with your tongue. (I'm still working on this one)
~Beauty happens every second all you have to do is open your eyes.
~Beauty radiates from within not outwardly.
~Most people are good, if you give them a chance.
~Smile when you feel like frowning.
~Be true to yourself so you can be true to others.
~Love yourself so someone else can love you.
~Give thanks for everything.
~Live like today is your last day because it may be.
~Make sure those around you know you love them, you can never tell them enough.
~Give a part of yourself to others they might not have anyone else.
~Be kind.
~Remember to have compassion.
~Say your sorry even if it wasn't your fault.
~Love all people.
~Be respectful of other's beliefs, opinions and views.
~It is better to live harmoniously than in discord.
~Say a prayer for others.

Copyright ~ Whimsical Jewels 2007

Bringing about change

I am amazed today that in a world with so many people and our advances in both technology and medicine we as a society are still filled with so much hate. I have to admit that I am astounded with individuals lack of humanity as well as how we treat each other. With this being said, for the last few weeks I have to say that I have internalized and pondered our current events that are taking place in Jena, Louisiana. I have been inspired to turn my sadness into a creative outlet and have developed a series of beaded jewelry called "The Harmony Series".

The pictures seen here are the first in the series. I have called this particular necklace PEACE. This and other hand crafted items I make can be found at whimsicaljewels.etsy.com.