Scarlett Sings

Her nerves were gone. Just like that. No more anxiety; no apprehension at all. All week, her fear had been building to a fever pitch; she had been certain that tonight she would collapse like a soufflé, her insides runny and sad, the rest of her crumpled into a heap. But no. Mercifully, she was intact. Intact and unafraid.

Scarlett looked at herself in the mirror and was sure. She was ready. Everything in her life had led up to this moment; every day had been only a rehearsal for this night. She ran through a vocalise for confirmation; her voice was rich and easy. She smiled; a dazzling smile of pure joy, and opened her dressing room door. Carefully, she walked out to the wings; her cue would come soon. The orchestra swelled, and her heart rose with the sound.

She was on.

© 2009 Cynthia Newcomer Daniel

Brass filigree and chain maille, seed beads, swarovski crystals and pearls, cubic zirconia. This necklace won first place in the Use the Muse contest. Hand fabricated.

Spring Fever

Katinka stretched, opened her eyes, and knew. It was here. No doubt about it. She flung open her window and laughed; the morning air was cold, cold, cold, but spring was definitely here. She sang in the shower and danced while she did her hair and makeup. Getting dressed, she went straight for the brightest colors she owned; this was not a day where she could be content to fade into the woodwork.

Fruit! She suddenly craved some; she cut up the mango she'd bought the other day in anticipation of spring, and felt her knees go weak with its juicy sweetness. She ate ravenously, recklessly; the fragrance of its flesh filling her nostrils, and its soft, slippery pulp sliding down her throat.

Looking at her bare feet in their strappy sandals, she kicked up her heels and laughed. Spring. Finally, finally, it was here.

© 2009 Cynthia Newcomer Daniel

Hand fabricated from seed beads. The flower is based on a pattern from the April Bead and Button Magazine by Melissa Grakawsky.

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.

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.

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.