The Unbelievable World of Snowflakes

The Unbelievable world of Snowflakes:

"They say that every snowflake is different. If that were true, how could the world go on? How could we ever get up off our knees? How could we ever recover from the wonder of it?"

Though written centuries earlier Francis Bacon has a response:

"Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand—and melting like a snowflake..."

In the spirit of support.....

Backhausdance is raising funds to fly 11 dancers and a small staff to New York City to perform two full nights of repertory at Joyce SoHo.They've been invited to perform as part of an amazing dance series. Now they just have to get there.

Long Version: Concert dance ain't cheap. Even when you're making money often times it's not enough. For 6 years, Backhausdance has managed to not only survive but succeed at this difficult art form. They've won awards, received rave reviews and managed to maintain a group of amazing dancers. They recently set their sights on expanding their performance schedule out of California and started looking toward the mecca of dance in the U.S.: New York City. Sure enough, almost right away they were invited by Joyce SoHo. to perform. This is an amazing opportunity for them. Not only were they invited to perform, but they are one of only seven companies from all of North America. That's an entire continent, people. It's really big.

So why are they on Kickstarter? They need to get 11 dancers, an Artistic Director, a Managing Director, an Executive Director, and a Lighting Designer all the way across the continent. Oh, and they might need to eat while they're there too. The funds they raise on Kickstarter will be used to purchase airline tickets, pay the salaries of their talented dancers and cover basic production costs. Like I said earlier, concert dance ain't cheap. But they're not just looking for a handout (if you want to just shower them in cash they won't say no,) instead they've put together what they think are some cool rewards for helping them out. And here's another bonus. Backhausdance is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization so your support is tax-deductible. Once they all settle up, they'll send you a reciept that you can take to your accountant while you feel good about giving to charity.

Suffice it to say this is an amazing opportunity for them as they take their years of success on the West Coast and bring their work to the mecca of dance, New York City. Thank you for supporting Backhausdance.

About our show at Joyce Soho: Backhausdance will be performing an evening length program of repertory: Arrive, a commissioned piece based on a quote by poet-laureate Maya Angelou with music by Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky;Shift, an elegant four-part work with music by Zoe Keating; Sitting on January, the award-winning signature work by Backhausdance, set to music by Bela Fleck and danced effortlessly on wooden chairs; and a world premiere by Jennifer Backhaus.

Mana Orbs

Mana orbs....created from Nature's elements....embellished with glass shards, abalone pieces, shell points, pearls, rhinestones, jewels....Blessed and embedded with ancient Reiki symbols and sent out into the world.

A White Vampire Being.....

A Faery Tale Moment....

We went over to the Turtle Bay Resort last night to watch the sunset.

As the night grew darker we walked along the lawns towards the glass walled "wedding pavilion"....and there....held within the white and glass room overlooking the sea....

we witnessed a faerie tale moment.

A young bride adorned with a princess crown.... seated alone with her prince...

celebrating their moment of commitment. Enchanting to behold!

Back in the studio.....

Today was a perfect day....I was able to get back into the studio and create.

I had found a coconut shell on the beach...not the outside husk...but the inside shell. It was a neat shape so I took it up to the studio and put it in the microwave for a minute to make sure there weren't any critters living in it.

Then I got out my embellishments.

Tempered glass on the inside with abalone shells and then abalone shells around the rim. I added some metallic powders and apoxie sculpt and

Val-La! So much fun!

Tomorrow I will grout and then let it sit for a couple of days before I seal it.

The other photos show a piece I did from a palm frond. I love the look of the tempered glass. It's so deep and mysterious. Particularly against Nature's simple beauty. The contrast is very cool. The white "thing" on the end of the palm frond is a skull of a fish...or something ....that I found on the beach. Very wonderful pattern and shape. Isn't Nature inspiring!

I think I have to find a gallery or sell in Etsy cause I can't stop creating and what am I going to do with all of these pieces!

Kona Winds......

The retreat ladies have departed....the studio is back in order.

Last night we had a wonderful storm with great lightning flashes and this morning the Kona winds are here.

I love the Kona winds! Normally, here on the North Shore of Oahu, we feel the cooling Northerly Trade winds, but when the conditions change to Kona, the winds come from the south/southeast and are warm.

Today is a beautiful day. Wish you were here!

In 7 days.....

In 7 days we met and became close friends.

We laughed and shared and found ourselves returned to our strength, our power and our beauty.

We celebrated and cried.

We danced and sang.

And we created beauty and powerful magic.

It was a fabulous week and I feel blessed to have been a part of it.

And in the end each threw their lei into the ocean ......if it washes back on shore, as the myth goes, they will return to Hawaii.....

Honu and energy orbs.....

There was an interesting bit on our news here in Hawaii about capturing "orbs of light" at the Heiau ( ancient spiritual center ). These are ones that we captured just the other night. And no.....that is not the moon. The moon rises in a completely different location. That is an energy orb.....

Click on the link to the news bit...

Below is a photo of a turtle....a honu...in front of our house. Check out the energy/spirit orbs all around him.