Normally Fall is one of my all time favorite times of the year, I just love everything about it. The change of the colors, the smells of the kitchen, the warmth of the clothes and foods. The excitement of Halloween and the coming of all the family gatherings. But this year I am having trouble letting go of the warm days, I am hating all the wet in the earth and I am not feeling excited by the idea of gatherings. I feel as though I am falling into fall, rather clumsily I might add.

      I know it is because I am still trying to find my own way through a maze in which I am unfamiliar. It is partly because the world seems to make so much less sense these days, not just because of my own struggles that I am going through but because of what we as a country seem to be going through. We are in some very uncharted water where the accepted is being challenged and for very good reason. We are seeing people we thought we could look up to, wavering in their morals and forsaking us. People we though of as friends, become strangers by where they seem to stand on issues they never knew we have kept as secrets because of shame that we should have never felt was ours to bear. This is a time of change and turmoil. Not just in the country and media but in many of our personal lives, including my own. It can be very unsettling, painful and lonely. But I wanted you to know, you are not alone, we are not alone and we are stronger than this moment.
    
     Life sometimes sends you down roads you have never traveled without a map. Hopefully you learn how to be a better driver and a more patient passenger. I realize this seems as though it has nothing at all to do with my art and business, except that it actually does. As an artist, my mind influences my art in what I create and my ability to be able to create. I find some days I can't stop creating. It helps me think and I burn myself fiercely into my work, hoping to find clarity somewhere within the work. Other days, I feel nothing at all and can't find a shred of inspiration to create or to understand what in the world makes sense. This is the blessing and the curse of an artistic brain I suppose. Not that I am naive enough to believe an inartistic brain does not suffer a similar fate, I do believe it does. It is just a different kind of sorting through that happens. But this is where I am, at the moment and how my artwork comes along for the ride.

              So what does this all mean to me. It means that I am still working, growing, changing and evolving, like everyone else out there. I am learning patience I had forgotten how to show, finding  immense strength I never knew I had, and becoming ok in the skin I own, as mine, as beautiful, as worthy of respect and accept nothing less. It means showing others to find these qualities within themselves.  It means accepting all diversities as beautiful and marvelous and wondrous. It means feeling adventurous and curious again. It means I will try to see this falling simply as a jumping off point to begin flying. I will use this growth to fuel my art and work into a new life of it's own and allow myself the time and patience to fail as I try new things. It means that I hope to find peace and other kindred spirits who can help me make sense of the madness. To bring back that hope and common decency to a lost world.

It means trying with all my heart to fall in love with Fall again.

                May your own Fall be a journey of peace, let your struggles be paths that lead to a place of learning and as always be patient and kind to yourself. 

Sincerely,
​Dawn Rosell


PS.  I would like to invite you to send me stories,feelings or comments on your own journeys in the comments section.
Much love to you,
Dawn

       So wow, I totally forgot to publish the august newsletter, oops. I guess I was a bit busy, lol September has been very busy also, hence why it is being release a few days out. I am sure you all are busy as well. What with summer winding down and school days beginning. So much to do, such excitement! Our school was delayed a few days because of the heat and we loved it. Let summer last as long as possible! But it comes with days of catching up too. I sit here typing and all I want to do is go out and play at the beach, such a kid, right? 

          My August saw me doing two different stays in the Hyannis shanty program. My first was at the new overlook on Ocean and South street with two other fabulous ladies. The marvelous twins, Mary and Marilyn and I had a terrific time. It was a slow but successful week this first year and I look forward to doing it again next season. A few weeks later I did the Harbor Shanty with , Chris, Deb, Linda, Sue, Sarah and Laura and it was an amazing week! I had a very successful week that resulted in my getting many people to see my new keepsake pendant. I am so happy to have had the chance to get it out there for everyone to get excited about how beautiful it is. I am back in my studio getting it ready for release into another market as well and I am very hopeful that it will have a huge response. I met so many wonderful people that also asked about custom work. I look forward to hearing from them with their treasures to be custom wrapped in the near future.
        
      My store items have changed a lot as I sold out of many pieces, and I did make quite a few new pieces while at the shanties. I will be updating my website as soon as possible with the new stock, but if you have any requests or questions about anything, please contact me, via my website or my etsy store. Of course as always never hesitate to ask about custom work either, I love ,love, love custom work!

          I am not doing a fall class at Nauset at the present because the last classes didn't have enough enrollment and because I have other things going on, however, I am still available for personal lessons and/or one day events/parties of up to ten students if anyone wishes to book for a few hours class with me. For a party it is only $25-$30/person dependent on project and for personal lessons it ranges dependent on number of classes. So contact me for information if you are interested. It is a great ladies night, bridesmaid's get together, older teen party idea or even just a me time gift to yourself or someone else.

           Well, I do have some fun planned among all the work as I hope you all do to. So remember to keep enjoying the days among the craziness and I will hopefully see you out there on the beach, in the class room or maybe on the dance floor some time! 

Much Happiness,
Dawn Rosell