I think one of the reasons I like designing jewelry, and really, doing just about any kind of craft is what I call the “ah factor.” There is just something about crafting that relaxes me, and it helps me focus on other areas of my life. Granted, I often am overloaded with teaching and writing work that I don’t get to make jewelry just for fun that much, but just having access to a creative outlet that is “mine” somehow is enough sometimes.

I have been thinking of this these past few days as I trudged through grading research papers for some of my literature classes. It amazed me how the grades in one class could range anywhere from an F to an A. I mean – heck – these students are all in the same class. How can one “get it” and another not? After awhile, I couldn’t help but wonder now and then, “What am I doing wrong with some of these students? How did I fail them?” A fellow teacher joked with me that I was grading myself just as much as I was grading them, and this is true.

But, as I graded the last paper and headed home, I realized, “ah,” I can now go write about jewelry and check out some bead blogs and at least see some pretty sparkles strewn all over my writing desk, even if I don’t have time or energy to create something with them. They are there for me, winking at me, making me feel a little better. Ah…..