Tag Archives: Sona Grigoryan

Sona’s necklace (more about creativity and fear)

Don’t get too excited Sona! It’s not ready yet.

But thinking about Sona’s necklace was one of the things that triggered yesterday’s 1014479_723044334427115_2412235811036465977_n post.  Months ago, the amazingly talented and generous Sona Grigoryan made me a stunning necklace. When we met in Barcelona, I hadn’t made Sona anything so I promised myself that I would when I got back to Australia.  And yes, I’ve been busy, but the real reason I put off starting was because I was paralysed by fear.  I was so worried that what I made would not be perfect.  It would not be as gorgeous or creative or edgy or dramatic as Sona’s.  I was worried that anything I made would be…ordinary.

Then, as I prepared my course on creativity and polymer I rediscovered the quote I was trying to remember for Pam yesterday:

You may not be a Picasso or Mozart but you don’t have to be. Just create to create. wendy3Create to remind yourself you’re still alive. Make stuff to inspire others to make something too. Create to learn a bit more about yourself. — Frederick Terral

I am not Sona and my work is not cutting edge, or as thrilling as hers but I can create Sona a necklace infused with a spirit of love, sisterhood, gratitude, connection and joy.  In my way.  Sona conveyed all those things just in her being and I am now excited, rather than scared, about making Sona’s mala.

I’ll keep you posted. Sona is not holding her breath and her gift to me was totally without expectation but this is what I want to do! Mind you, I probably shouldn’t have looked at her Facebook page to see what she is doing now. The woman is INCREDIBLE!!!

A card carrying member of the Sona Grigoryan fan club

It has been a long while since I wrote and not surprisingly, I am almost paralysed DSCN4779with indecision about where to start. So much to say!  Two amazing, albeit exhausting months away.  To deal with my paralysis, I will do the writing equivalent of a Skinner blend…I won’t set myself the task of writing a brilliant post that conveys all I want to say but will write several smaller posts that say one or two things. Let alone be brilliant.

Today I write about the kindness of strangers and Barcelona!  And maybe it was the kindness of a not really stranger which is one of the reasons I loved Barcelona so much.

Cynthia Tinapple told me about Sona Grigoryan and Noelia Contreras, two talented w3artist from Barcelona here, here and here. I loved their work and when I knew I was going to be in Barcelona, possibly with some free time while the football was on, I emailed Sona and Noelia to see if we could connect.  To our disappointment, Noelia and I could not get together (but we will!) but Sona and I did.  She was amazingly hospitable, treating us to the most wonderful paella I have had, showing me her workspace (I will NEVER complain about lack of space again!!!) and then giving me an absolutely gob smackingly gorgeous necklace she had made especially! (Sona’s husband took the photos)

wendy3Sona shared about how inspired she was by nature and by the work of Gaudi, so much a part of the feel of Barcelona (and one of the reasons I chose to go to Barcelona en route between Malta and Nepal. Logical to me?!)  Her work is so fearless and organic (look at her latest creations!!!!) and the piece I am now privileged to own reflects this.  She wanted to combine elements of her home, Armenia, with elements of mine. The resulting necklace used an ancient Armenian manuscript juxtaposed with the famous shell shapes of our Sydney Opera House.  I feel like a queen whenever I wear it and the day I wore it at Eurosynergy in Malta (strap yourself down…another breathless post to come!) I never tired of telling the MANY people who asked about my necklace the whole story.  I reckon in five years, I would not be able to afford a Sona Grigoryan original!!!  I will treasure mine because of its great beauty and because of the wonderful memories it brings.

Sona….Shnorhakalut’yun!