Autumn Inspiration with Clay

The mini clay tiles and incense burner for hippie Mary came out beautifully, and of course once fired I had to test the burner with my own "passion" incense...works just fine!  I am a scent-ual person.

Thank goodness for Nina who keeps me involved in the discovery and mystery of new scents.

Before the kiln

The clay stones are from Gen, the kiln owner, with her nicely written words to 

keep my mind focused and help me to breathe deep...the red wine helps!

I have a best friend, I smile, I have hope, I must practice patience, and I will learn to trust...again.

© 2012 hula~la

The smudge bowl is from the beautiful clay at Two Crow Cottage and the smudge stick is made from the lavender gardens that surround the property there.  Lavender is a calming agent used to reduce stress and promote relaxation.  The ritual of smudging can be defined as "spiritual house cleaning".  In theory, the smoke attaches itself to negative energy and as the smoke clears it takes the negative energy with it, releasing it into another space where it will be regenerated into positive energy. 

As the autumn leaves continue to fall, we must take the time and notice all the beauty that this season brings.  The bright colors of the mums, the scarecrows popping up out of the cornfields with the brightly colored ears for decorating.  The gourds have such a unique style all their own with colors and shapes of all sizes.  And don't forget the pumpkins...for soon they will be transformed into jack-o-lanterns with unique personalities all their own.  Yes, let us rejoice in all the beauty of this colorful, bountiful season.

Play Day

It's a very productive Sunday!

The sheets are drying on the line, (for there is nothing finer than air dried bed sheets)...the kitchen sink is empty and shining bright (which makes me smile), and it is relatively quiet.

Thankfully, that is, after a Saturday morning rush to URGENT CARE with our oldest daughter for what looked to be Anaphalactic Shock... We are breathing a big sigh of relief, as she is on the mends from a severe allergic reaction to something, that is yet to be determined. Up all night with worry gave me the opportunity to plan a Sunday at home instead of at Long Beach Island with some close friends...

So, born today is a new batch of "Passion" incense which is drying along side the mini clay incense burner I made for Mary, a true HIPPIE friend at work.  There are 3 mini clay tiles drying, too, that will adorn the 3 lucky herbal soaps that Nina has made for a new friend we made at the 
Little World's Fair in Grahamsville.

The clay, is not quite leatherhard in order to file the edges...but, soon...then the glazing, which always turns out to be an experiment in its own right.  Next week, we'll take a batch of glazed items to Gen's to fire in her kiln.  A very nice arrangement, indeed!

I am continuing the "relentless" pursuit of inner peace and enlightenment as

my husband of 25 years, and I, give in to the harsh reality of our

3rd and youngest child entering her senior year of high school!

Where does the time go?  It is truly BITTERSWEET! 
 

So, as I, the MOM, try to figure out what comes next, I'm keeping busy with plenty 

of my favorite items on hand with which to create...chaos...

~BOOKS AND PAPER~