Loss envelops, though it is surrounded by love.  It is intimate, soulful and hard.  To keep your feet moving is the only way to get to the other end of its dark path.  If you stop in the shadows you will remain in the shadows.  As the path weaves and dips, and the glimmer of light flickers in and out of view, keep walking and collecting those little moments of light and hope and love in your basket of heart.  Loss is life and love is life.  Continue on the path of life and you will sing again.    (~tavia)

Amidst the rush of life, the growth of my creative dreams, and the love and laughter of a sweet little family I am fortunate enough to call my own, a family patriarch has fallen.  Never far from my daily thoughts is he, his final days, or the family members for whom I ache in their loss.  My Father-in-Law, Edwin Brown, made his departure from this fine world just eleven short days ago. 

He was a good man.  He was a man who loved his family, who was true to his word, who was honest in his voice, who knew the importance of hard work, and who would help anyone without a second thought or need for recognition.  He was a fine man, loved by his family, and honored in our memories.  May he continue to inspire us to be better individuals as we move through this life.  

Love you Ed.

~Tavia

 Hello again! I am always amazed how long in between blog posts I go.  A lot of life happens during my "quiet" moments on my blog.  A LOT.  And, being self-employed I have the benefit of being able to whisk out of the studio on a whim when life happens - one of my kids is sick, or an ailing family member needs help, or a friend needs a ride or a shoulder to cry on, or our house got broken into TWICE in 6 days, or hey - let's move the studio!  And, yes, all of that has happened since I last wrote.   So, this is a more personal blog post than most of my others as I see my Mother's Day approaching and I want to celebrate everything.

Here is a little glimpse into my life. 

I love going to work everyday - literally.  I love it!  But, I am not just a business owner and metalsmith, I am also a mom, a wife, a friend, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, and simply a human being.  So, the flexibility is great being self-employed - but kids, parents, friends, a sunny day, detectives (remember - house broken into twice!), movers, installing tools and machinery - are all part of my life.  Then there are the other aspects of work - applications, sketching new designs, communicating with customers for commission work, fixing tools, paying the bills - all very, very important - but I don't get to just sit at the bench and simply create all day, everyday - which is how it happens in my dreams.  But, I love it - all of it - all the mess and the goodness together.  The "I gotta make up some time in the studio because of X, Y and Z", along with the fresh cut spring bouquet from my garden that I bring in to brighten the studio. Moments of stress and surprises of pure joy sprinkle my life and it is all magical (see photo above).  And, in the middle of it all, I know we all have people in our lives that go the extra mile, that help us no matter what, who love us no matter what, who just simply work hard, who make us smile when we need it most.  I know I do - I am surrounded by the miracles of friends and family, a loving and supportive husband and amazing kids who are oh, so silly.  So, as I reflect on the last few months and marvel at life, I recognize the support I receive so that I am able to do all the things I do on a daily basis - love, live, and create.  My Mother's Day is not just about me - it is about all the players in my life, without whom I couldn't be the mom I am.

Family is so much a part of my work, but it is subtle.  When you browse you may not realize that you are seeing a memory of mine, or a piece inspired by someone I love.  And, although my Adoration bracelets are a little more obvious about the importance of family, and directed at moms, dads and kiddos, I remind myself that they for everyone and anyone who you, or myself, may want to cherish.  They are custom made.  You can choose a very special quote to put on the interior to tell someone just how much they inspire you and support you.  And to celebrate life and those who support us, all of my Adoration bracelets are on sale until the end of May - all of them - not just the ones for Mom.

So, remember, as you wander through the daily grind, soak up those special moments - like an unexpected walk in the rain. 

Happy Spring, Happy May, Happy Mother's Day!

Tavia