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When Ordinary is Extraordinary

Sleeping Fairy Baby

Sleeping Fairy Baby

There’s nothing extraordinary about gathering around the table on a Sunday afternoon. Maybe you’re eating a slice of toast or reheating your tea. It’s a cool, early spring day.

But this isn’t just any old Sunday. Gathered around the table is a group of women who’ve met through blogging. We’ve formed enduring friendships across the miles that allow us to sit comfortably in our pajamas, talking and laughing and sharing gifts. It feels as though we’ve known each other for a lifetime.

Aristotle said that “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” That’s how I felt the entire trip. Our shared energy and enthusiasm for each others lives was palpable. The ordinary seemed extraordinary.

On that same Sunday afternoon, Pauline who blogs at the Contented Crafter presented each of us with a hand-crafted, personalized glass and bead dangler. We were all ‘in the moment’ and didn’t stop of course to capture her words, but now I wish we had. Pauline gathered crystals, beads and charms then infused them with one-of-a-kind reflections of each of us. It was moving hearing her thoughts as she shared each one.

Once home, it was tricky photographing the full length of this charmer without sacrificing the detail. Instead, I’ve photographed it in sections, so you can see the charms up close. I took pictures of the dangler in my garden to maximize light, but when not on a photo shoot, it hangs in my living room window. It’s 22 inches (55cm) long.

Pauline captured my love of fairy gardening at the top. There is also a fairy baby since I enjoy nurturing the small children next door. The teapot represents sustenance (and also happens to be my beverage of choice). There’s a small clock in honor of my passion for organizing and a tiny book, celebrating our Little Free Library. There’s a cat of course, sitting on the moon. Isn’t it just like a cat to make itself at home anywhere?

There are two separate hearts, entwined to show our friendship and a third heart that says ‘Made With Love.’

I’ll say!!!

Pauline enriched the rest of the dangler with gorgeous stone, glass and crystal beads.

Here it is:

section one

Garden fairy, clock book

section two

Crystal beads in warm browns and purple hues, tea-pot and butterfly, cat on the moon

section three

Two hearts = friendship

section four

Beads, hearts and crystals

section five

Bottom half of fairy baby, butterfly and beads

DSC_0040

Part of a long strand of gorgeous beads and silver fixings

section six

Crystal globe

We’re all back home now continuing with our lives, but changed profoundly by the experience. When I see the dangler reflecting the light, I’m reminded that what makes ordinary, extraordinary is friends.

19 thoughts on “When Ordinary is Extraordinary”

  2. Good Morning Alys! What a glorious time we had – and how much fun I had making each one of my friends their special light catcher! I hope I have woven a little bit of magic into them. Your photography has managed to capture some of the magic for sure! I have never managed to show them to their full advantage with my camera 🙂 I am so happy to hear it is hanging in your home and that it reminds you of our special time together. Thank you for the pingback too. xoxo

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  6. That is so very pretty and so special too, with all those little details picked out especially for you! You are a lucky girl to have such a sweet friend! 🙂

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  7. I’ve been accounts of this meet-up from others who were there–you folks certainly had a fabulous time! It’s so nice to see one of Pauline’s danglers in real detail–gorgeous and SO thoughtful!

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    • We sure did. It was an extraordinary trip, crammed full of great conversations, laughter, good food and site-seeing. I can’t say enough good things about it.

      I’m glad you enjoyed the detail of the dangler. Once I gave up trying to capture it in full length, I got much more interesting photos. It’s a gem.

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  9. It’s quite extraordinary isn’t it? I think the little teapot is so sweet with the amber bead looking just like tea. I haven’t decided on the perfect place yet. I actually haven’t even emptied my giant box of goodies yet. I pull out one thing every other day and smile. It’s like a slow letting go of the holiday and accepting that it might be a while till I spend time with Julia, Laura and Pauline again. I get misty eye’d thinking about it.

    I thought about hanging Pauline’s artwork on the front porch, but I don’t want anyone to snitch it on me. I’ll most likely be enjoying it in the Boomroom. Sweet Pauline is such a great communicator, I loved hearing her heart felt story of each and everyone of them. She’s so comfortable speaking in front of people. I got nervous when we went around the room at Laurie’s when all her fab friends came to visit. All kind and friendly faces, but I could still feel my face getting warmer and warmer. Maybe a menopause issue, LOL xoxox K

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    • What a nice idea pulling out one item at a time. I wish I had your discipline. I don’t know how I ever learned to wait for Christmas morning, honestly. 🙂

      I too thought briefly about hanging mine outside, but I can just see a bird landing on it and then doing what birds do before taking off.

      I loved hearing her voice, too. It’s easy to see her teaching and couching and nurturing others.

      I had no idea you were nervous in the group. You certainly didn’t come across that way at all.

      I’ve always dreaded the ‘tell us about yourself’ pressure throughout school and other social situations though. I prefer the give and take of disclosure.

      Or…I just blab about myself on my blog and I can’t see if the other person is rolling their eyes or bored. 😉

      xox

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  10. Pauline my kitchen is daily filled with rainbows that extend all the way into the far wall of the dining room!!! What a great way to start the day. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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  11. Just found your blog. This is a lovely post, what a gorgeous gift, it’s beautiful. I’ve just read your post on the squirrels too, I hope you find a solution.

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    • Thank you, Polly! It’s even more beautiful in person if you can imagine. I love the way it catches and throws off light.

      I’m working on a squirrel solution (or should say, swing cover solution). I love all animals. I need to find a balance.

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