For the love of art

I have just about a million things on my to do list at the moment- but as I was drinking my tea, the quotes on the bag made me want to stop and write this brief entry.

Yogi brand tea always has the best messages- if you are a tea drinker I recommend.

My tea bag said “The principal ingredient of life is love” and to “Be kind to yourself.”

Two things I think I needed to hear today.

During the summer, it is the most physically tolling time to blow glass. The outdoor heat combined with the 2,000 degrees of the furnace and glory hole (yes that is the correct term for a reheating chamber in glass haha!) is so exhausting. Apparently the studio can hit up to 120 degrees in parts of the summer- but that does not deter us!

Sometimes though- it slows me.

And especially when I am at the end of my luteal phase and about to start my period. I’ve really been trying to live with my cycle in harmony- and listen to my body to balance my hormones. I want to work with my body, to feel physically and mentally my best by working with my hormone and energy levels. But work doesn’t change just because I am about to start my period.

My (basically) sister in law shared this video with me and its really changed the way I live. I think every woman should to watch. Ill link below!

https://youtu.be/29CmUB6ESiU

So after working the weekend, and on Monday’s- I go into the studio to make my own art- my body needs some love and rest.

I am good to it by bathing in epsom salt, rubbing lavender oil, and occasionally splurging on a relaxing bath bomb or cbd scrub. And then giving it the rest it deserves the days after. Sometime’s I feel funny I don’t have the normal weekends off schedule but truthfully I never saw that for me anyway.

Here is where I felt the second quote comes in- “the principal ingredient of life is love”- I truly truly love what I do.

Every glassblower loves what they do- or they wouldn't endure the physicality that's involved with the art. We are obsessed and in love to our core with this material. 

The glass community gathers (this is a great pun) like no other I’ve ever seen. We all feel connected by the principal ingredient- love- towards glass.

It is so amazing.

And I feel so lucky to have found and foraged my path around this material. It has guided my life the past 3 years. It has already moved me to Norfolk Virginia, taken me on a cross country road trip from Jacksonville to Vancouver back to DC, to Baltimore, to Italy, to Richmond, so many other places.

It has introduced me to the most incredible people and given me a second family. Glass has allowed so many precious memories and experiences happen for me- I’m really forever grateful.

I really felt lucky this morning after seeing those quotes on my tea- and going through all of those feelings and emotions. Look forward to seeing where the journey brings me next!

All my love,

Grace