Friday, August 10, 2007

It's All About "Angaza"


This past week I decided to work on a new project. I wanted to create something I had not tried before. I had not finished anything in the past couple of weeks, and I needed to get the juices flowing.

Of course, this would be a week full of distractions. It started on Monday with second degree grease burns on my left arm. It's okay now, I'm starting to have a good relationship with my blisters as they heal. On Wednesday, when the temperature here in Atlanta hit 100 degrees, my air conditioner went out. I had family coming to town on Thursday to attend a wedding on Saturday, and my home was inhabitable. But the gods were smiling down, and the air conditioner was up and running on Thursday, just a few hours before my family arrived.

Somehow, in the midst of these events, I maintained my resolve to work on something. I found a few moments here and there to focus on my project. While browsing through books recently at the craft store I saw a doll necklace. I believe the book is by Maureen Carlson, a well known and respected polymer clay artist. I didn't buy the book at the time, but I decided to figure out how to make the project just from the picture I remembered. Sometimes, my work flows better without instructions anyway.

So with a little focus here and there I found some peaceful moments to try making a doll necklace. She's not quite finished but I am pleased with this first attempt. The word "angaza" in Swahili means "to be focused on". So my little lady kept me focused. She will be called Angaza.

5 comments:

bencandance said...

Marcia, that doll necklace is gorgeous! I love it. :)



http://bencandance.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Angaza Looks Amazing so far! I really enjoy looking at your works I really like your style.

Block Party Press said...

Sorry for the rough week! I hope your arm is doing better! Your necklace is so beautiful! And I love the name and it's meaning!

Anonymous said...

She's perfect Marcia....and you could not have chosen a more fitting name!

Julie said...

She is absolutely lovely! I'm sorry you had to deal with the heat!:( I am absolutely horrible with hot weather!