We had finches for years. They were given to my husband as a gift before we met. I really enjoyed visiting with them and hearing them everyday. They had some beautiful songs and sometimes they would sound like lazer beams. While having a conversation on the phone, many a listener would be baffled at the sound and wonder what the heck was going on in the background! Was Star Wars on the T.V? Was I playing a video game while having a conversation with them? It often created a giggle or laugh and there’s nothing wrong with that. They both died within the past year and we buried them under a flowering bush in the front yard. We have two of our dogs buried nearby under a dogwood tree with professionally made grave markers. It’s our little pet cemetery. I wanted to make a special stone for the birds, so I made a mosaic. I hadn’t worked with glass since last year and the process was so grounding for me. It truly helped me feel connected to my soul in doing this hands on creativity.

First I found a picture online that represented the design I wanted for the stone and copied it to graph paper. I resized it for the stone and cut out the precision cuts at Vijon Studios in Old Saybrook.

I started snipping pieces randomly for the sky area, attempting to let go of the control I often have when working with glass.

I tried the randomness..... but I decided on subtle randomness instead. Giving up so much control was tough. I made the peices somewhat rough (a new thing for me) and placed them in a somewhat controlled way. Baby steps. What can I say?

Before the grout. See? The imperfection in the cuts, but still controlled. I was going to paint the zebra stripes, but decided to just make the pieces instead. Another trip to Vijon Studios to use the band saw and I was all set.

The finished project. A celebration to the lives of our birds and way to honor the joy they brought to us for so many years.

Many months of pondering and all it took was some creative inspiration to finally figure out the focus of this blog. The idea was always there of course, waiting to be realized. But why would I blog in the first place? I like to share and I hope to become a better writer and human being in the process. It’s been a nagging idea and I’m one to try almost anything. So, here I go!

Through this blog, I’ll share Creativity and Inspiration. Grateful for the creative and inspirational experiences in life, the subject leaves plenty of open space for interpretation. I find creativity every day. Big, small, processed or natural – it’s everywhere. Whether I set out to do something creative or the creativity is discovered, or I see or hear something inspiring, the experience always makes me feel present and grateful. Our lives are our personal creations. In sharing, I hope to inspire others.

I’ve managed to create a life that is creative and diversified, so I may share something to do with Voice Over, Acting or Make-up artistry. I may share something about the songs I’m writing or a process of music I discover. It may be a new recipe I’ve come up with, a new design with stained glass or fabrics or perhaps a new twist on an old idea. Or an old idea that’s new to me and has inspired me.

Feel free to join the conversation.

Until next time,

Joell A. Jacob

Diversified Artist – Narrator, Voice Artist, Actor, Singer, Songwriter, Make-up Artist and Creative Sort.