Funky Buddha and the Brown Bird

Some people have asked me why I call my blog, as well as my internet shop "The Little Brown Bird". It comes from a book about Buddhism and how we can use the basic principal of living in the moment. I have been looking for the actual quote that I read but I can't find it right now.

It basically says that it is the tiny details that we often miss because we are so hurried and have our minds on our troubles, our dreams, future plans, and things in our past. When we do focus on the moment, the "here and now", it is usually only when something extraordinary happens.

The quote talks about a boy who saw an eagle fly above him with its wings outstretched against the blue sky. The boy then spends the rest of the day talking about how beautiful the eagle was when it flew overhead. His teacher points out that while he was so focused on the eagle in the "past", he has missed all the little brown birds that are flying all around him in the "now".

It's so easy to miss the little brown birds when you are not focused on the present moment. I was reminded of this story when I was at Machu Picchu. We had just had an amazing time exploring the ruins all day and were in a rush to meet up with the rest of our group for the journey back to Cusco, Peru. Just then, out of the corner of my eye I noticed a little brown bird sitting quietly on the edge of one of the rock walls. Even though we were rushed to meet back with our group, I couldn't help but stop and watch his every movement. He reminded me to take one last look around me and realize where I was and how special it was for me to see this magical place. Then I snapped his picture and said goodbye. That picture is the one you see here.

Peruvian Treasures

Those that know me know that I have a love for travel. My idea of a "vacation" is to get completely immersed in the experience and the culture of the area that I'm visiting. (I can lie on a beach when I'm dead, although the other beach dwellers would probably not like it very much!)

Recently, I was able to fulfill a life long dream. I traveled to Peru to see Machu Picchu. My best friend and I did a 4-day trek on the Inca Trail to the breathtaking ancient Inca ruins. I will never forget the second that I saw Machu Picchu with my own eyes, emerging from the early morning mist.

It was truly an emotional moment for me, especially having just walked for 4 days to get there. But I wouldn't have had it any other way. You couldn't possibly connect with the earth and other "forces" by taking the train.

A train ride would have missed all the mind-blowing scenery, the encounter with 1000 butterflies, the heart-shaped stone, waking up in the middle of the night to see that the clouds that had settled into the valley below our camp site were aglow with the bright blue light of the moon...

It was an experience of a lifetime and one of the hardest things that I've ever done...so far. Having Peru on the brain for the past year, I really wanted to create a few pieces using Peruvian opal, a beautiful milky blue stone that welcomes back memories of those clouds in the moonlight. Enjoy!

Above is "Aurora" (#1136). This necklace features a large Peruvian opal pendant surrounded by a bouquet of amber Czech glass bead dangles.

This still unnamed bracelet is made with sky blue multi-faceted Czech glass, sterling silver, and silver plated accents surrounding another gorgeous Peruvian opal.

All of these jewelry pieces are available at Little Brown Bird on Etsy.

Good Things

I'm getting closer to having a proper web store for The Little Brown Bird. I know things have been kind of slow in coming but believe me, I've been working hard to get something going for a while now and all I can say is SOON, very soon! Good things come to those who wait and since I've kept you waiting for so long, trust me when I say there are some very good things on the way. Here are some more goodies to wet your appetite...




I love the weight and feel of this necklace (above). "Jayden" (#1138) is made of silky smooth green jasper, sterling silver, and tiger iron.



This is "Zella" (above), a funky bracelet made with art glass, sterling silver, and silver plated accents. The beautiful focal bead has every color under the sun!



Above is one of my favorites! "Coco" (#1024) is sterling silver and black cut crystal. A classic beauty.

Below is (2035). This bracelet is made with black sardonyx, hematite, sterling silver, and silver plated accents. The earrings (2036) are made to match but can go with anything.

All of these jewelry pieces are available at Little Brown Bird on Etsy.

New Jewelry for Spring!

Everyone's been asking, "Hey Mary, do you have anything new?" Well, I can finally answer that question with a whole new line of bracelets and earrings. I'll have new necklaces coming soon as well so have patience while I figure out this blog thing.

Above is (#1120), a fun and colorful bracelet made with yellow, red, and green art glass, turquoise, sterling silver, and silver plated accents. Also shown are the matching earrings (#1121).

Below is (#2034). This bracelet is made with green and blue art glass, blue dyed shell, sterling silver and silver plated accents.

All of these jewelry pieces are available at Little Brown Bird on Etsy.

It's about time!

Welcome to my blog and my first post. I hope to have lots of cool stuff to share with you all as this blog gets going. I'll be showing some of my handmade jewelry as well as other nifty little things from time to time. Check back often to see what's new in the collection!