New work!

I put the snaps on these two cuffs yesterday, and have a couple more to finish up and share with you this week (one is being sassy and I need to have a talk with it... sigh) 

Mandala meditation.

It was SO much fun, can't wait till next time!

Blue Lotus Clutch

Finis

So many lovely hours spent tooling, painting, and constructing.

This sweet clutch was built over several months, in a time where things got beautiful and hard and down right sad.  It's good to finally have finished her. She deserves a good home.

Mini Mandala!

I just posted this in the ol' etsy shop, and realized I hadn't shown you guys yet! This purse was inspired by the paper I wrote for teacher training on mandalas.  Using them as a meditative tool to help yourself focus, meditate more thoroughly and feel better in general. This bag was one of my many experiments into mandala mediums, it was such a joy to create. Letting the tools "pick themselves" as I worked my way around the circle.  I didn't measure anything out as I tooled, letting my eye guess the distance between hammer strikes. I love how it turned out, and am excited to learn who it belongs to.

I love this shape, and will be revisiting it again soon I think... 

I have also explored stitching in leather.  I'm in love.

Flowers from Asheville

I'll be back in Asheville eventually. To visit my loves in the mountains. There will be more flowers photographed and skies stared at in awe. For now, here's what I saw this past weekend.

A yogaing we go

This weekend was the last one, the end of our teacher training, the beginning of our lives as yoga teachers. I feel ready, quiet, and grounded. I did not know, when this started, that I wasn't grounded. Now, I know what I'm aiming for.

I made these little note books, with a page for each of the 9 months we spent together, for everyone. 

I can't stop myself, when I love folks, I make them things. 

shanti, shanti, shanti.

Time flies

Coasting through another month, I found myself back in Asheville. As a group, we are so lucky to be together in our journey of yoga. Everyone is wonderful.  I adore the feeling of cool wind rushing through the window as my car climbs the mountains. The first moment we see each other again- feeling like it was just a week ago, and a year ago at the same time. Month after month, we come together. Our brains are filled, our bodies pushed, our hearts expanding. 

How lucky can we be?

It's nearly time

For the second yoga teacher training weekend! It has been a very  interesting month trying to practice and meditate everyday.  Not to mention dealing with the range of emotions that have been welling up. I've learned a lot more about myself already.  I can't wait for next weekend!

Here are some photos from last weekend. :)

These are all on my walk to and from the studio, some early in the morning, some in the evening. All of it was beautiful.


I've been back in action at my work bench too, so new leather goodness is on it's way soon! Hooray!

My goodness

What a weekend this was! All yoga, all the time! Asheville feels like a second home already, it reminds me so of my college's town. I felt tucked in as soon as the mountains reached around the roads.  How much we learned on our mats, how many muscles you think of when only standing! My body is tired, my soul is eager, my mind is still whirling with the goodness of the teachings.

There are photos to come, of my walk between the studio and the house I'm staying in, but I haven't had a chance to suck them on to the computer yet.  I hope Hurricane here will keep you happy!

I hope you had a fantastic weekend too!

A happy piece of news

I've been stretching. Feeling out my boundaries and building strengths in my breath, hope and arms. I have been pushing myself. I feel I am on the cusp of such change and momentum, I can feel the future in front of me. It is coming out in my art, in my every-day thoughts, in the studio, on my yoga mat.

Yes, my yoga mat. 

Starting in just a few weeks I will begin the many steps towards teaching yoga.

I cannot express how exciting, releasing, and scary this is. It has been a long time since I've committed myself to studying and learning. The program is in Asheville, and I am so, so happy that it beings in the fall. So I can breath the crisp air of the mountains, escape to higher ground to find myself more grounded.  I will wear wool as I walk to class. I will sweat and sweat and study. I will watch the leaves turn, fall, and grow again, green and shining as the program ends.

Yoga has helped me get through so much stress and frustration with much more grace that I expected to ever have. When office work hits the fans, I am still breathing. I save the frustration for the mat. I work through the frustration, turning it into energy, finding instead, new edges as my arms shake. I can hold crow in peace, and am working towards a handstand. It is there, in my grasp, as so many good things are, I've come to learn.  Yoga is learning. I want to share this joyful practice with others.



And so, dearest readers, a new adventure begins, and I can not wait to share it.


namaste.

New places

I just merrily delivered three headbands and a happy handful of keyfobs to my dear Noda Yoga studio last night! Jillian has been asking for my work for a while now, and I'm glad to report that they're all snug in their fancy display case now! 

This studio has become a really important part of my life.  It is full of inspiring people, those who have practiced long and hard, to those who have just started.  The women who own and teach here have helped me realize what I need.  And what I need is yoga for the good, the terrible, and especially the mediocre days. I cannot express how happy I am to have pieces of me being lovingly held there until its proper home can be found.

Need more reasons to go take a class there? Perhaps this little peek will help?

 For the days you need extra ideas...

 Or when you simply must be a mermaid, trapped with two legs.

Or when you need brightness in your hair, and real flowers don't last long enough.

Its good to be back! 

xoxo

I needed something...

And so I made it.  

Actually went home, on the same night, and altered this once failed bracelet into the perfect zipper pull for my yoga bag. (thanks for that mom!) 

The little pocket is super handy, but the zipper pull was so small compared to the fabric tab that covered it.  

Now, it's time for me to go to a yummy scrummy Deeeeeep stretch class!!! YAY!

I may have to make more of these. I can see them getting a bit addictive; sweet and tangy.. thoughts??