The Stew That Takes Care of Me

A big pot of vegetable beef stew, made ahead for the busy creative days waiting at my wax bench.

There are days when I know I'm going to be spending six hours at my bench, sculpting wax.

Six hours of looking closely.

Six hours of shaping tiny pieces of wax with my hands, making adjustments, adding texture, taking something away, and watching a little piece of art slowly become what I saw in my mind.

I love those days.

But I've learned something over the years.

When I know I'm going to be completely absorbed in my work, I like to take care of tomorrow's me today.

And for me, that means making a big pot of stew.

Not because I don't have time to cook.

Quite the opposite.

I don't want to finish a long day of creating a tiny piece of art and open a can of soup.

I want to walk into my kitchen and already know that something wonderful is waiting for me.

After a long day of sculpting, this is how I like to finish the day—a hearty bowl of stew, fresh herbs and a glass of wine.

I think that's one of the things I've learned about creativity.

It doesn't always happen at the jewelry bench.

Sometimes creativity is choosing the ingredients.

Sometimes it's growing herbs in a sunny kitchen window.

Sometimes it's putting together a meal that makes an ordinary evening feel special.

And sometimes it's simply knowing that tomorrow is going to be busy...

and doing something today that will make tomorrow a little sweeter.

I don't just create jewelry.

I create moments.

And this stew is one of them. 

❤️