New Adversity Blossoms

When I first found myself in a position to work all day on making lovely things for people to wear and accessorize with, the first thing that I made were Adversity Blossom Brooches.

I've been playing with different yarns, and have found myself making Adversity Blossoms again. They are called Adversity Blossoms because I wanted to create something to represent overcoming obstacles and finding your own way through life. Obstacles don't fall into our paths so that we can be defeated by them, they show up to force us to new heights, to ask us to think differently, to make us push ourselves to creative limits, and to help us appreciate what we have. When you are faced with adversity, you can whither and back away and get stuck, or you can rise to the challenge and see what will grow.

I love the cotton candy colours of the yarn that is used for the inside blossom- it is a specialty Italian yarn that's a nylon/tactel blend, and each blossom has an accent in the middle (buttons and beads on the 4 pictured). Each blossom that I make will have a general reference to an adverse situation or encourage the wearer to remember something that will help them overcome a challenge that they face. I'm also toying with the idea of "customizing your challenge" so that customers can let me know what they want their Adversity Blossom to represent and I'll include a card that will help remind them.

The mixed fibers also make me really love these new Blossoms. They are so textural that you can't help but want to touch them. And what a great splash of colour to add to your jacket or purse or sweater in this mostly grey and white season!

I think I found myself working on these again because it's January- a time for new resolutions and goal setting and focusing on overcoming something that may have held you back in the last year. I've been reviewing the adversity that I've been dealing with and am getting a clearer picture of how I have made that adversity blossom into something that I can be proud of and something that I love to do.

I know these look finished, but they still have a step left so they aren't for sale in my shop yet, but if you have any questions about them or would like to order one please give me a shout! februaryjonesetsy@gmail.com . I hope that this month has brought about lots inspiration for new beginnings so far in your lives, and if you want a reminder that's also a bloomin' gorgeous accessory... *laughs* well then you know where to find me :)

*Maria