Friday, January 16, 2009

Floating




She closed her eyes and pretended that the whole mess simply didn't exist. The angry teenagers exchanging unpleasnatries weren't hers, the living room did not look like a tornado had struck, and she didn't live in a suburb outside of New York city.

She was floating on gentle waves on a Caribbean sea. Supported by the warm, salty water, she felt her body go limp, as every muscle was soothed and massaged by the constant motion of the ocean that cradled her. The only sounds were the wind and the waves, with a lilting reggae tune coming from far, far away.

In her heart, she danced.

© 2009 Cynthia Newcomer Daniel

Seed beads, Sterling silver, lampwork by Gail Kops of Beadles. Hand woven in the Saraguro style.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Embers




It was late. Very late. The fire had died down to almost nothing; she hadn't been paying attention, and, with a sudden start, she realized how very cold she was. How could she have let this happen?

Berating herself for not noticing, she pulled out some kindling and made a careful structure above the last remaining embers; she laid each piece carefully so as not to smother the few precious bit of fire. When she had laid the last one, she blew very gently on the barely glowing red coals; they brightened, and she was hopeful.

Gently, gently, she blew again.

© 2009 Cynthia Newcomer Daniel

Seed bead bracelet. Hand woven. Based on a tutorial from Jubeads Box.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Searching for spring




Christmas was over, and she was ready for spring. That was one of the pleasures of living on the west coast; spring would arrive when the northeast was still snowed in. But it wasn't here quite yet. Impatiently, she haunted hardware stores and nurseries; still the same old mix of discounted (and sad looking) fall flowers and leftover holiday pots.

The bare root roses offered a promise of summer; she had already bought a few and planted them in a sunny corner. A couple of them were already showing green buds where their leaves would be; she couldn't wait to see them unfurl.

Maybe next week.

© 2009 Cynthia Newcomer Daniel

Sterling silver earrings. Hand fabricated.