Dragons, dancers and doors

I've been busy with Samunnat's etsy shop (WATCH THIS SPACE!!) so the fungi necklace remains an idea rather than actual.  So, for non - driven catching up purposes, Necklace #21 will be one which incorporates a beautiful bead I purchased in Nepal when I lived there.  I think it is polished brass and I have trialled a few different settings finally deciding on combining it with these beautiful coral beads I got on the last Sydney trip.  You can't really tell but underneath the filigree dragon is a hint of red so the coral looks terrific with it and I like the contrast in the shapes.Necklace #22 combines real and faux lapis with gold plated sterling silver and uses one of the pieces I made in my fertility goddess exploration.  She was inspired by the temple decorations at Trichy in Southern India and when we visited I ponced around with cascades of jasmine and tuberose in my hair because THAT IS WHAT YOU DO!!!  It seemed perfect then, to combine my well endowed sari clad pendant girl with the tumbling flowers.Well it seemed perfect to me.I toyed with the idea of applying gold acrylic but it wasn't the same gold as the flowers and I hoped the gold leaf was enough.  The tubes are faux and the small tubes beads are the real McCoy.  ( I wonder what the derivation of that expression is?  Well, there you go!  It's a corruption of a Scots expression The real McKay referring to whiskey!)  My mindfulness practice this week was to be aware as I entered new spaces.  Or at least to notice when I walked through doorways.  To pause, take a breath and be aware of entering a new space.  As predicted, this was not easy.  I do tend to hurtle through space and am not aware of doors or sticking out things at the best of times.  Working on making my little symbol of a door helped.  I really am enjoying this artistic challenge and also made a tile to remind me to appreciate my hands.  Next year I will just be able to look at my wall piece to know what I need to be mindful of!  The little door was quite an engineering feat (for me!) and it does open-an exercise in hinges AND faux techniques.  The door is coral and the wall ivory.  In case that wasn't obvious.   The most effective prompt to make me pause was to hang one of my lovely Tibetan door curtains in the doorway to the holy of holies (my workroom).  Believe it or not, I'm in and out a bit and every time it makes me pause at that door, if not many others!  It also serves the purpose of hiding any less than well organised looking work space.Necklace #23 should be here tomorrow.  Strap yourselves down.