heart strings

  i'm always surprised at the variation in colors of the very same thing - jewelry, in this case - that i struggle to capture with waning light.  i wait until the end of the day, usually, because no. 1, that's usually when i finish a piece, and no. 2, the light is kinder towards the early side of dusk.  roy calls it the magic hour - roy, who as i write this is working a television camera for the tv station that employs him in wilmington, north carolina.  there is a hurricane barreling straight towards that city, as if any of you weren't aware.  the mother in me worries - does he have plenty of water?  batteries?  but he brushes the worries off with his young adult cool.  i'll be fine, mom.  i love you.  so, i busy myself taking photo after photo of the same piece of jewelry, this angle and that, a brighter exposure than the last, a different place in the house.  nothing matters; the colors shift with every change.  and i worry.  i worry.  i worry.
  it didn't even occur to me until just now that the piece i'd been working on all day speaks of matters of the heart.  no surprise there - most of my jewelry does.  but heart strings?  today?  makes total sense to me. damn it.  blurry, and at this point, the light's too far gone.  you get the idea:  antique embroidered sari fabric behind antique optical glass, peruvian opals strung with luscious garnet, the color of love.  at least for today, it is.  and on the back of the focal piece, something i fashioned all the way back in march when i was weathering an entirely different storm (it's not over, folks, but i've developed a stronger stamina), i engraved these words:  and something that tugs at my heart tonight:  my older son robin, instigator of the entire colorado adventure coming up, is out distributing flyers that announce my visit to The Tin Shop.  this was his idea, entirely (this, from the little third grader who asked me to come speak to his class, who jumped up to stand beside me as i spoke, who told the entire class "my mom's famous", seventeen years ago).  he seems to think that i'm worth all that, and i'm so touched by his enthusiasm that i don't even know what more to write.  so, i'll just say this:  i love you, robin.  i love you, roy.  and that is all that matters, in the end.  xo

Comments

[Carol@Swallowcliffs]

I would love to see you at the Tin Shop. Hope your son is okay on east coast and your trip is awesome. Love the heart strings creation!

[herhimnbryn]

Those boys of yours have every right to be so proud of their Mama.

I hope you get time to take numerous photos of your Tin Shop residence. xo

[sandra]

If I were your sons I'd be doing the same thing. You are one talented lady and they know it deep in their heart. You tug on everyone's heart strings.And it's a "good thing."
Beautiful...

[folk heart]

I am the best friend you never met. I can not find another single soul in the world who shares as many of my emotions, thoughts, ideals and interests as you. That gives me no right to think that I can share in your personal experiences, but I must say, our parental experiences are parallel, as is our love of our boys. Your heartstrings are pulling on me more strongly than you can imagine. Thank you for touching my soul, nearly on a daily basis. You are a gift to me.

[Lee]

Love your work. Each and every piece is so inspiring. I wish I was closer. Maine is kinda no where, up north, cold... Not many workshops around here. Someday I'll fly off to meet you. Have a safe weekend.

[Tina in McLeansville]

the one thing we gave our boys, all us moms, is strong wings. sometimes the wings carry us, sometimes they shelter us and sometimes it means they can fly alongside us. either way, it is the reason we are. all will be well, nina b. the heartstrings you worked on today...you should keep, just because. hugs to you and the boys...xoxo

[susan]

Lucky you to have those 2 wonderful sons.
Lucky them to have wonderful you.
I love the necklace, Nina - it's just lovely. Heartstrings - oh, we mothers do worry so!

xo dusan

[kim]

as mothers we never stop worrying no matter their age.....we just never will....
i love you golden...xox

[Dale]

Sounds like Robin is quite the marketing agent. Have a wonderful safe trip to CO.

[mary]

i swear you always manage to bring me to tears...

(good tears, not bad)

beautiful necklace, beautiful post.

[vickie long]

Yes, we love them and they love us back, purely, and fully.

[Jamie V]

Oh, those boys! Of course they are proud of you! It's so awesome to have that special bond with them. Thinkin' of you, and wishing I could take a quick drive to Colorado to see you! Jamie V in MT

[Linda]

Ahhhh, you have beautiful boys! safe journey and have fun!

[Sue]

Beautiful.
Just beautiful.
You are so blessed. xo

[delila]

i have been very worried since i read the news about the hurricane. keep us posted Nina. i am sure you are VERY worried.

i do love to work in that special magic hour also. sometimes the sun lights the trees on the distant shore of the sea, it is such a special moment to be in my tiny studio and create jewelries.

your creations is beautiful Nina.

[carol]

gorgeous necklace!!

[Julie Whitmore]

Dear Nina I've been watching the news since I woke to see the updates, and grateful thinking you were all right, never knowing your son worked closer to the eye! At least it has been downgraded to a one according to the latest update. Losing a big portion of it power, good news.
The necklace is glorious!
xx
julie

[carole]

Some day, when finances are better, I hope to own an original Nina Bagley design. I've been a fan and following your work for years. Lovely piece. :-)

Safety to your son. I'm sure he'll be fine. *hug* I have no children of my own (something I now regret), but remembering my own mothers love and worry for me, I know that no matter what, you'll worry. That's what mothers do.

That is one of the things I find hardest, photographing my work. It annoys, irritates, takes too much precious time, and sends me into a tail spin every time I have to do it.

[Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig]

I love that our initial connections were art and our love for our boys. You are such an inspirtation to me in both areas...as an artist, as a woman (who continually powers through fear and the desire to hide away...I fight those very same things daily), and as an amazing mother. You've raised those boys, those amazing MEN, to be THEMSELVES...and that is no easy task. I am doing my best to do the same...I miss the mark now and then...but we recover. :) xo Your time in Colorado is going to be fabulous...Robin knows goodness when he sees it. And apparently he always has! :)

[Kathy Van Kleeck]

Oh that Robin - just so sweet! Such fine young men you've raised. Really love the necklace ... is that knotting between all those lovely jewels? ;-)

[Ann]

Good love.

[Gena]

You are worth all that and more.

[Leah in NC]

Very lovely piece. Garnet, isn't it, the red stones? I do love garnet.

I'm sure you are resting easier today with the storm gone from the coast. And, I hope you have a wonderful trip to Colorado. Wish I could see you there!

Nina, when I read the comments to you, I have to wonder, does anyone have as many people who think they are wonderful? It makes me think that there is a whole community of wonderful women out there that I am missing out on! Maybe you need to have buttons that say "Friends of Nina" so we can identify each other!

[sally]

Love all of this more than I have words to say.

[sandra]

Nina hoping you are safe and sound. This storm was hell.
You and your family are in my thoughts.

[Patricia]

All of your writing tugs at my heart.

The storm's over and I hope your Roy is safe and sound.

Breckinridge is so beautiful. I know you'll love it there and Robin will make it all the sweeter.

[Julie Fredericksen]

Oh, shoot! I'll be in Aspen, Colorado, just 81 miles from Breckenridge, in September too, but a week earlier. So close yet so far to get to meet you.

[Deryn Mentock]

Love the opal. This is pretty, Nina.

[connie freedman]

oh nina!
I am so sad i will miss you in breckenridge... I would have made the trip but have other plans... we have a little vacation place there, you will love the people and the town if you have never been... enjoy that wonderful place. hopefully you will be back for a visit!
( a fan of yours that never seems to get a class with you...)
connie

[charlene]

i have just discovered your blog and your WONDERFUL art!!! i have poured over your writings and your pictures of the times and days of your life... your art touches my soul!!!{ your wtitings also!}
all my best ...Sincerely...
charlene ...
{i really need to change my pic}

[Catherine Witherell]

Wow! You ARE worth all that or else how could it ever have happened? I'm happy for you and like the new turn your jewelry is taking. Looking at it again with fresh eyes. Nice posts. You look good.

[ninabagley]

Thanks Catherine......

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