Politics, Art and Commerce

I am but a speck in the universe - I cannot be seen

I am only a sliver of this nation - I cannot be heard

I am just an atom in the beauty that is art - I cannot be noticed

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Like most people around the globe, I have spent a lot of time in the last two weeks thinking about how different things are now.  This weekend I joined the #grabyourwallet campaign and as I was contacting merchants, asking them to reconsider who they carry in their stores - I acknowledged that as an artist, I am a merchant as well.  I make art and people sometimes people buy that art.  

In the past I have used social media for nothing other than sharing and promoting my new pieces of jewelry.  Now my social media is being utilized in a very different way - and it will cost me, I'm sure.  

Politics have never truly felt like they had an impact on my life.  I'm white.  I'm your basic middle class.  I've always been employed.  I've always had insurance.  I've always had a roof over my head and I've never gone hungry.  Who was in office didn't seem to have an affect on any of that.  All that has changed for me now and I find myself trying to catch up.  

Now I am worried about the fact that I am gay.  The fact that I am a woman.  The fact that I hope to be able to retire in the next few years.  About the fact that we can't find food or water that is not harmful to us.  The fact that EVERYTHING matters now.

​I know many people oppose the way I think about the current political atmosphere and I know some of those people might be my customers or at least have followed and appreciated my art form.  I welcome conversations of opposing opinions.  Will I change your mind?  Probably not.  Will you change my mind?  Probably not.  But will we diffuse the anger - I certainly hope so.  That is my main priority, because it's most likely the only thing I can personally change.  Along the way I might loose a customer.  I might loose a LIKE.  I might loose a SHARE.  I have to be willing to accept that.  

​This is the time for me to rearrange my thinking about where I fit into the universe.  I will continue to make my jewelry, even though it seems trivial most of the time considering what is happening in the world.  I will push myself to sit in the studio and study my craft.  I vow to keep my art alive in the face of turmoil.  I promise to respect my place in this universe.  I will smile at the sun when it comes shining through my window.  I will be happy when that piece of jewelry is finished and recognize its beauty.  I will honor the universe that served in its creation.   

I am but a speck in the universe - and my speck is crucial

I am only a sliver of this nation - but my sliver is important

I am just an atom in the beauty that is art
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I don't need to be noticed, but I need to BE

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CREATOR (the divine) / CREATE (the action) / CREATION (the art) / CREATOR (the artist)