100 Years of Deeds Not Words: Celebrating The Suffragettes

I have started Research for a new Collection of my Heartfelt Books entitled 'Deeds Not Words'. 

The tiny heartfelt books will contain the names of suffragettes, thanking them for their determination and strength in securing Votes for Women which feels very important in 2018, given that it is 100 years since the first voting. Then, on my website, I will write about each of the women listed in the tiny book.

I am making tiny little felt wallets for the books from the colours of the suffrage ribbons and sewing them with some 1940's stocking yarn that I found in my late Mother in Law's sewing box.

I am not sure what I will do with the finished books, it just feels important to make them and I am certain the Universe will sort out what happens to them next, though hopefully they will be ready for International Women's Day in March.

I would like to thank two friends  (who I think would prefer to remain anonymous) because it was the evening after a wonderful afternoon of chatting and laughter and sharing of ideas that I thought to create Deeds Not Words Heartfelt Books. And that's the wonderful thing about sharing and exploring with other creatives, you never what sparks might fly. 

As One Door Closes

Six months ago, I made the brave decision to confront my hyperacusis. Since suffering sudden hearing loss and tinnitus, the onset of hyperacusis made me almost house bound. Hyperacusis is a sound distortion caused in the dissonance between my tinnitus tones as they clash. Once triggered, even my own voice becomes distorted in my head. 

To avoid becoming isolated by the condition, we converted an old shop in the village into my studio and during that 6 months, I learnt how to manage my hyperacusis rather than hide from it. 

I'm so glad I took this step. Last term, I went back into schools as an adviser for the Young Promoters Project, Night Out, The Arts Council of Wales and found that with my new hearing aids and some sign language, I was flying high in class, once again. I could feel my old mojo coming back.

And now I have been offered a contract for the coming term with the Creative Lead Schools Project, The Arts Council of Wales, working with a small group of children who have special needs. There will be myself, a film maker and a theatre maker working collaboratively to devise a piece with the children which will be performed & filmed at a local theatre. 

With this new found confidence and return to self, I made another brave decision and that is, to let the shop go and re-base my studio at home.

For now, I have re-camped in the spare bedrooms and look forward to moving into my woman shed by the Spring, it's a bit chilly out there just now. 

One of the most important aspects in coming to terms with deafness has been a pair of magnificent hearing aids from the wonderful, NHS. My hearing aids have literally given me my life back. Massive thank you to Aneurin Bevan, the Minister for Health that introduced the NHS and to the Welsh Labour Party that he was part of, for backing him. We are so very blessed in the UK to have a National Health Service. 

The other equally important thing has been to open up and allow transitional energies to flow through me, trusting my heart to make the right choices. I hope my journey inspires you to do the same.

Live Your Gift

  

If there is something you love to do, something that eases your troubled mind, that brings peace to your heart and yet sets your soul alight, then grab hold of it, give all of yourself to it. Jump right into your desires for these are your gifts, given to you by that which gives light to all. 

Trust yourself, rather than question why you desire to do something.  Does the daisy doubt that she should turn her golden face to the sun?

For me, it is the writing of short stories and poems set with an intention to help others feel better, to inspire folk to look at the world in new ways and then, to make beautiful books that are kept forever as a reminder of how much we are loved. 

What is it for you? What is the gift that you have so lovingly been blessed with?

If you like my blog and would like to find out more about me, why not pop over to my website by clicking the link below ... 

Heartfelt Christmas

There is something very special ...

Knowing that there are people ...

all over the country ...

          Who opened a gift Christmas Morning ...

              that was written and made by me ... 

Heartfelt Stories

It's an absolute joy, making little heartfelt books to house my stories and poems. 

I have been making books for fun all my life but during my MA drama, I made them to house haiku as an exercise in stripping back stories to their core ... and my passion for teeny tiny books was re-ignited.

Then, when I was staying in France as a Sound Therapist in an Artist's Retreat, I did a little course in how to make concertina books. I made them all Summer. I fondly remember collecting the paper from the Boulangerie and making a concertina book for the baker, who had kindly baked me bespoke bread every day of my stay.

So, this evening I started experimenting with concertina books but this time using handmade paper and hemp.

I can't wait to put my stories inside these lovely books ...