Treasure

Whew! What a week, eh? I miss my alone time! I hope you each had a lovely holiday in December. Dec. 24-25th, 2008 was like no other Christmas. And that is as it should be. I have clear visions of specific moments from childhood Christmas, they are are loving and for that I am truly grateful.

On Dec. 26th, Christopher, my partner, and I opened the treasure box. He is such a wise person. I have no doubt that our souls find each other each time around the medicine wheel with varying aspects within the relationship. In waking time, he is my soul brother, my soul sister, my chapka.

Joanne, you packaged the box so very lovingly. Your nurturing revealed itself in the way everything was wrapped in tissue and snuggled together like a puzzle. The box is steeped in generosity and SWEETNESS. In it's time, I will lay it all out in some form for photographing and let you all see what is there.

Ok. Honestly. The box is overwhelming me. With no words, I simply feel and the feeling is good.

More later.
Namaste`
Connie

Part Two!

You know, if I had really been thinking it through I would have posted this part first and the first part last...oh me, you know what I mean I hope! I have created a jumbled mess!

Here are some other things I put in the box...these are some paper flowers and embellishments...plus a copper coil that is really interesting to work with!

This is a strand of beads that I bought in California in the early 90s and a nice carved focal bead I have had for a long time...pretty cool in person, but sort of washed out in the photo.
Many different strands of yarn in different lengths and a dicro cab that doesn't show up really well in the photo...
And last is a bracelet that I made this past summer. This is the only piece that I wish to stay with the box.
Here are the treasures all packed up and ready to go home to Connie. I must say that I did add a ton more beads to the bead soup after I took my final photos!

Now it is on to the next person!

Smiles! Jo Anne

My Time With the Treasure Box

Okay...here goes! Of course since Connie posted that the box arrived at her home, you know that I sent it out, but I have been so sidetracked that I haven't posted my message about the box yet! I apologize to all of you, but things have been hairy here for a little bit. The photo above are all the treasures I kept. I know that there are a lot of things in that little pile and so I hope I made up by adding a bunch of good stuff back in! I am honored that I have a bit of each of you here in my home now and really loved joining in!

I am going to have to post a "part two" to this message since all the photos would not go on one post...so here we go, these are what I added to the box!

A few altered game pieces...
Some fimo beads and a pair of earrings that I made when we lived in CA in the early 90s. The canes we some that I made in a class taught by Z Krimke in Old Town San Diego...really hard and very time consuming..but rewarding. I have never made more either!
A strand of "shell pearls" for your own stringing projects...pale yellow, pink and mauve.
A few beads and some cool brass and sterling...plus a beaded bead made by a long ago online buddy...

She has Landed

Sacred Crow Treasure box has arrived safely home. And now. My madness. Begins.

I can't open it. It's too precious and beautiful for me to enjoy in these harried days before a majority of the folks in our nation celebrate the birth of a boy child. Our treasure is tucked away in our pretty little box, like a child, radiant with possibility. Please think to tune in on the 25th. I'll try to put some words to all that I am feeling.

Griselda and Paige, my dear companion from the moment of inspiration, it is lovely flying with you. It's all so sparkly it hurts my eyes sometimes!

Namaste`
my dear ones,
Connie

Treasure Box Update!

Hello Everyone!

I am here and alright...at this point anyway!!

As you know I have a sick kitty...he is really not looking good and I have an appointment with the vet this afternoon. I had to run out and pick up an injection of antibiotics yesterday and was only able to give him half the shot as he freaked out and jumped and ended up bending the needle! Lucky that he didn't injure himself or us...but only half the shot went in...

Right now we are in the middle of a winter storm warning...freezing rain and sleet...so far the roads are good, I just hope they stay good for me to get him to the vet. He either has an abscessed gum or a tumor as he has a huge lump under the right side of his chin that is bulging out pretty far...eating and drinking and being somewhat normal but today he is worse than yesterday, or I am reading into it...at any rate I am a bit freaked out!

NOW on to the box! WOW!! I literally poured over the box all afternoon yesterday once I opened it trying to choose from it all. I wanted to be fair and not take too much...so every time I took something out, I put something in and then some extras went in...then a bit more came out...well, I am sure all of you know what I am talking about! LOL

I believe that I am settled with what I would like to keep at this point and will post photos up hopefully today once I get back from the vet and let you all see what I took and what I added!!

Connie...I still do not have my copy of the book. It was mailed media mail on the 6th from Arkansas. Half.com said that it could take up to two weeks to arrive...so what should I do with the box? Would it be better for me to mail the box back to you now (can send out tomorrow) and then send the book once it arrives? Is Susan definitely the next in line so I can inscribe the book to her?

I have enjoyed this journey with all of you...I feel like little pieces of each of you now reside with me! Thanks for including me!!!!

Smiles! Jo Anne

Treasure Creations

I created a couple of things with treasures that came to me with the Sacred Crow.

The first book, Moon Dream, is a wrap around binding.
The moon itself is from Gris.














The second book, Moon Magic, is a four part sewn binding. The beads dangling from the spine are also from Gris.

Stay magnificent

Dear friends, it has been a busy week and time away from my computer. I am delighted to see the richness of the treasure box which keeps on growing in beauty and with grace.
I wanted to share with you something written by a wonderful woman and teacher. I had the fortune to meet Marianne during one of her workshops long ago, but her spirit continues to touch my life even now. I hope you enjoy this:

Marianne Williamson - Our Deepest Fear is that We Are Powerful Beyond Measure

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson
in Return to Love
Often mistakenly attributed to Nelson Mandela

Posted to Quotes

New Treasure from Old

Hi there, Paige brings up a good idea in her recent comment...If you've created new things from pieces of the treasure box, feel free to photograph and post them here! Enjoy!

Connie

Vagina Monologues

I am happy to report that progess has been made in regard to donating this treasure box to a YWCA auction with the Vagina Monologues production. The date is now March, 22, 23, 24, so we still have time to ride this wave a lot further afield!

I'm encouraged and elated by the response that I am seeing from others who are reading the blog. The beauty here, for me, is the mystery of the outcome. Who knows where this will lead? All that I do know is that the God/dess of the generous heart is the one I c`hoose to worship.

namaste`
connie

Treasures... everywhere treasures!

Hi fellow treasure keepers/seekers - the box arrived here late Wednesday afternoon. It came at the prefect time. My work day had been exceedingly stressful added to a couple of personal stresses. I put the box aside, waiting for the stress to subside a bit before I opened the box. I kept it close by - savoring the wait, knowing I would be instantly cheered once I let the treasures spill forth.

I was not disappointed, the first thing I noticed was the wonderful assortment of items Monica added to the package, it seemed to jump out at me.

I unwrapped it carefully, not know if I'd be able to make it look that pretty again. There are many treasures hidden in this carefully wrapped goodness.

After pouring over the items, I was torn - so many things I thought I wanted or needed, but had to step back and think, "Are you being a little greedy?" "Will you really use that anytime soon"? I have been fortunate in having been gifted with so much in the past from both Monica and Gris and I love all their creations. And that giant container of beads is almost too much for a girl to bear!

Anyway, this is what I came away with...


I put the box away that night - it was so very late. After work the following day, I brought out the treasure box again and pawed through it to see if there was anything else I must have.

I loved the little origami hearts (Paige - I'm assuming you made those?) and I just can't resist faces made by Gris - so I went back and grabbed a few of each.



Now to put some treasures back. Before I get to my stuff - Gris had sent me a couple of clay Yoni creations that were to be added to the box from her.



I had pondered what I would add since I was invited to join. I have fun going through my stash and this just gave me another reason to do that.

I started with some miscellaneous items - faceted blue glass heart pendants; ceramic angel beads from Peru, a carved rose quartz bead, some clear fire polish beads and 3 lion pendants.


Next up - some Swarovski goodness, acrylic and metal slides with Swarovski stones and some 8mm margarita (3700) beads in volcano


More clay beads - the brown beads are from Earthenwood Studios.


Next up - some vintage items. The green squares are meant to be cabs, but those holes are big enough to get a needle and thread through. A hank of beautiful peacock bugle beads, a vintage Swarovski crystal pendant and a few little rose montees from the 20's


How about a little African flair??? Here's some beads from Africa, I'm not sure of the age - I found them at a local flea market about 2 years ago.


Now then, a little glass leaf bead/pendant - I wish I could remember the artist that made this, but I can't - sorry. Seems I bought this a few years ago, I hope someone can incorporate it into some beautiful work of art.


Some items made by me are up next, first is a little vintage German glass cab surrounded by brown beads and backed with Ultrasuede, it's tiny - could be used in any number of ways. And the blue glass is a brooch.


Last, but not least is a mermaid doll I made a few years ago. The doll form was made by Monica and I purchased it from a third party before I even knew Monica - it just seemed it had to go in this box. This is the only item (with the exception of the Imagine a Woman poem) that I ask to stay with the box.


She is about 6 inches tall and is adorned with fresh water pearls, Swarovski crystals, shells and seed beads in many sizes.


I've inscribed my book to Jo Anne and packaged everything up.


I just need to tape up the box and get it to the post office which I will do on Monday.

Jo Anne - have a BALL!

Imagine A Woman

I included this post card as an item to stay with the box. I have carried it with me for years and given it out to many woman friends. Now is a good time to share it again I think...

By Patricia Lynn Reilly


Just a teaser...more photos of the box to come tomorrow.

Rules

All ya'll are cracking me up with all this talk about rules! Rules are for the Earthbound! They wouldn't know how to behave if someone didn't lay out some guidelines, ya know? But we travelers in the spirit world, with a totem like CROW, know that part of Crow medicine is the knowledge of living by universal law, not man-made law. (Of course if men had left law-making up to women,...fill in the blank) Crow has the ability to BEND the laws of the universe to shape her distinct need to serve, especially when that NEED is informed by Divine Purpose.

There are no rules to the treasure box. When I set this bird free, I recall mentioning take five and give six. That was not a literal statement but more a guideline which NONE OF US needs to follow because as angels in a Divine Universe, we will ALWAYS give and give and give more than we could ever receive.

Ladies, we are blessed and gifted individuals with no end of spiritual power. We are all part of a generosity that is winding it's away around the country. I hope that this winds it's way around the world, so I invite you to think beyond our land of the free and home of the brave and seek artists from other countries.

In the meantime, I'm just gonna die if I don't see the box again after Joanne has added to it. So yes, Joanne, your book will be inscribed to Susan but the box will come back to me first.

Blessed be, thanks be to God, may the universe shower you with blessings,
I remain your humble servant of Divine Purpose,
Connie

Hi Everyone!

I am so excited about this journey that I can hardly sit still today! I just wanted to jump in and say hello to each of you...

I know Grace from the Beaded Art Dolls Yahoo group and met Monica about the same time...actually when I think about it, it was Grace that sent me to Monica when I first started beading art dolls! Monica makes some AWESOME doll forms and I fell in love with them the first time I opened a "grab bag" lot of hers that I bought off of Ebay! The creative energy she puts into her art just pops out of the box, and off the page of her blog and there are few days that go by without a "Monica Fix!" VBG

Grace, who claims the title of "Beader Extraordinaire" in my book, took a new job shortly after I "met" her and has not been online with the group for a while, but we still manage to cross paths from time to time and I am looking forward to being a part of this journey with her!

As a matter of fact, I am very eager to get to know all of you through this process, which is part of the reason I joined, plus who could pass up the opportunity to see great art close up and to oooooh and awww over "sparkles". It is really funny that I have always referred to myself as a "crow" since I love all that sparkles...coincidence you ask? I think not!

I want to thank Connie for inviting me, for without the invitation, I would have been lurking instead of participating!!! I am going to run into my studio and start searching for "sparkles" right now...!

Another New Member!! Joanne!! Come on Down!

HI Joanne,
All that I need to know about you is that you are interested and excited in the project! In my mind, your blog speaks for itself and I move with Divine trust, so no worries!

I don't know about you, but having been self-employed full time for 19 years in my craft, I have a butt-load of treasure! Little bead jars, beautiful pens, a million and two trinkets of all shapes and sizes (not to mention beads). The treasure box is about Give=Away the medicine of Turkey Totem from Lakota tradition. Believe it or not, Turkey is like an earth bound Eagle, with deep spiritual power. In the Potlatch ritual, Turkey is honored.

Treasure box is about letting go, moving an object along it's path; objects that have been loved, adored, treasured- but no longer holding as much light perhaps, as they once did.

The original statement was to take five and leave six. I have no idea what that is like cuz I haven't experienced that part yet. I cleared out my work bench drawer, musing on Griselda, and alas, a humble star was born!

Sacred Crow (or Cow depending on how you read this) is a nod to the Crow totem that shapeshifts, looks at things cross-eyed for new perspective, the lover of shiny bright things....the Book of Sacred Law is bound in crow feathers. The magic of Crow provides wings to the spirit of Give Away, moving it forward and back, through the air, loading treasure on her back...

Joanne, another piece of this is procuring a hard cover copy of Return of the Great Goddess, edited by Burleigh Muten. You will receive a copy inscribed to you from whom ever sends you the box. When you send it on, you will inscribe the copy you purchased to the new recipient.

Yo, crew, how should we fold Joanne into the box at this point? She has time now, so perhaps Grace sends it on to her?

Re: auction. At this point we are agreed that the box will be auctioned to benefit the YWCA here Norfolk, VA. I'm certainly open to negotiation though, nothing is written in stone. Unless it's written in stone. ;o}

Joanne, your excitement is palatable and that is welcome at this point in the journey! New energy to keep this box flying! Thank you so much for your work!

Another thought all ya'll. Biographies are going to be needed for the final box. Sometime in January, perhaps everyone could write their "program notes" as we call them in the theatre world...a paragraph explaining who you are and how you got here! Sorry for the homework! And all the typos...I'm sure there are loads!

Best to all,
Connie

New Member

Hi there all, I have found a new artist to add to the mix! Her name is Susan and I've been working with her all year via her Etsy store: Oliviamoon . She has been VERY successful on Etsy, sold nearly 2000 of her glass/soldered pendants and her Good Witch Bad Witch ones have been a huge hit in my studio. Check her out when you get a sec. She's in Greenville SC and after the holidays is more than happy to be a part!

So, if Grace will return the box to me, I'll keep it til Jan. 2 when I'll send it to Susan. Is this ok with everyone? Grace, do you have a copy of the book to send with the box?

Best to you all today,
Connie

Arms of Arms

I was talking with three highly spiritually connected people on Sat. night and I heard myself gushing about the richness of the spiritual path after 19 years.

The path is so beautiful! There are choices everyday to be made but they all lead to the top of the mountain, where, I'm told, it's quite easy to be enlightened.

Divine Service (great name for a diner, eh, Paige?) is the daily work, but every once in awhile, I curl up in the arms of God if I think I can handle it. It's really warm and safe there!

Sparkles to you all!

Blessed with women friends

The loneliest woman in the world is a woman without a close woman friend.

The Life of Reason, 1905-1906

The gathering of women

She Walks in Beauty

She walks in beauty like the night








Of cloudless climes and starry skies,








And all that's best of dark and bright








Meet in her aspect and her eyes;








Thus mellowed to the tender light








Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
















One ray the more, one shade the less








Had half impaired the nameless grace








Which waves in every raven tress








Or softly lightens o'er her face,








Where thoughts serenely sweet express








How pure, how dear their dwelling place.
















And on that cheek and o'er that brow








So soft, so calm yet eloquent,








The smiles that win, the tints that glow








But tell of days in goodness spent








A mind at peace with all below,








A heart whose love is innocent.
















-- Lord Byron, (George Gordon)

When

I

opened

the

box...

what BEAUTY spilled forth!

I promised its sender

I'd scream

when I received the box,

perhaps she'd hear me

from all

the way

over there?

But, as it turns out...

what happened

is that my breath

had been knocked

right out
from inside

my chest.

*gasp*

No longer a stranger,

Paige spread sunshine

from darkened

Alaskan skies

to Alabama

and brightened my day.

As I poured over the contents

and selected my muse

(above pic is of the items I gathered to keep),

Oh, who am I kidding?

I went back for more of those textured sheets!

Well behaved women rarely make history -Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Additionally,

I took out from the box

the warmth of your friendship,

the beauty of your giving spirit,

the glow of seeing your workmanship up close & personal,

a piece of your heart,

reflections of your smile!

And

I gave thought

to just what this treasure box

meant to me?

Passion

Power

Strength

Togetherness

Spirit

I was moved to add to the box,

and,

and,

and the ONLY

piece I ask to keep with

The Sacred Crow Treasure Box

is the beaded female face.

So,

today Dec. 3rd

I'm wrapping up the goodies

(like Santa would)

and I'm shipping it off to Grace

THANK YOU

Connie,

Gris,

Paige,

and Grace

for

the gathering of women

EXPERIENCE.