Sometimes it feels like the Earth is awash in a sea of negativity. Dirty politics, civil unrest, war, mass starvation, abuses against animals, children, women, hate crimes against people who don't believe the way others think they should or love someone who others don't think they should, Tsunamis, Monster Storms, Earth Quakes...Some days it's just too much.

I wake up in the morning and the tv is already on, spouting hate and whatever rhetoric that morning's personality has on their agenda. In the afternoon the radio blares across the shimmering sand with yet more news of unrest across the world. If it's a "liberal" station, then it's all the conservative's fault. If it's a "conservative" station, then it's all the "liberals'" fault.

I'm the first one to admit that I'm overly sensitive. I know that. I'd rather turn all the electronics off and have no sound (other than the sounds of the waves) than to listen to Republicans & Democrats bash each other or FNM & PLP do the same. I have friends who say, "You can't just bury your head in the sand. You have to stay informed to effect the changes that must be made..."
I'm one person. I'm one person who doesn't even live in the country of my birth. I am not going to effect any sort of change except in my blood pressure by listening to Bill O'Reilly or Bill Maher bash the "left" or the "right". My one vote doesn't change a damn thing, and the election is over.  

Why can't people just work together to fix what's wrong? Quit telling your neighbors who they can or cannot marry (with the exception of children and animals), which god they should or should not worship, and what they have to do when they get sick. Grow up and quit bickering, dammit! Quit spending so bloody much on idiot stuff and borrowing so much from other countries....and don't tell me I have to buy something. I'm all for healthcare reform, but don't try to force me to buy something. The only thing that does is piss me off. So, um...yeah, you political types quit bickering and fix that stuff, please.

One of the people closest to me in the world often points out my unreasonable idealism. He says that things don't happen in the Real World the way they do in Sarah's Little World. Well, no shit. I'm over-sensitive and an idealist, not stupid. Sometimes I just need a break from the constant barrage of CRAP that cascades over the airwaves, though, and (to quote a song Dad used to sing)..."fortunately, I have the key to escape reality!"

Yep, when all of the toxins oozing from the tv, radio, or internet become too much, I have a key to escape into Sarah's Little World.
A paintbrush.
I can't always turn the tv/radio/computer off, since someone else is content to lap up the poison, but I can paint.
I retreat to my little corner studio, and begin to plan the journey to My Little World.
I empty old water from the brush tub & fill it with fresh water, and feel myself Slow.
I determine which type of paint I need for my project, & the cackling of Fox & Friends begins to fade. I select the paint colors, and a Stillness trickles down around me. My paintbrush fits into my hand as though it's grown from it, the brush tip almost quivers with expectancy. It dips into the puddle of color, touches the surface and I'm transported into Sarah's Little World.
My own deserted island of peace amidst an over-full sea hate and despair.

This most recent trip to Sarah's Little World was routed along Custom Wine Glass Lane. You may recall a post called Spring Time Rush that mentioned the completion of several custom Adirondack Chairs while Hubby and I were still in Virginia. The client who commissioned those pieces recently emailed me with a request for "Nautically-Themed" wine glasses. With that much flexibility in their design, I decided to create a set that would echo the themes of his chairs. Lighthouses, Pelicans, Blue Crabs, Steamed Crabs, and, of course his boat's very colorful design. A flirty mermaid and general nautical images round out the set of glasses.
Uh oh, Mitt, there are only 4 chairs and 6 glasses...just kidding! Until Hubby and I have a permanent U.S. base again there will be no more chairs rolling off the Sarah H. (and Hubby) assembly line. 

I hope you all enjoyed this quick trip to Sarah's Little World. I'd love to hear how you escape the craziness of the world. How do you get to your Perfect Little World? What's it look like?
Until the next time, friends, Love, Laugh & Create!

Well, Little Layna, I could keep working on your chair forever. Brainstorming, refining, perfecting, restarting, redoing...seriously: forever. You've been without your beloved chair for far too long, though, Boss Lady, and it's time to declare it "Done As It Ever Will Be" (as opposed to "Finished"...a status rarely bestowed upon any of my creations), and get it back to you. It has as many pretty pictures as I could fit onto it in the time I had it. I hope you use it to stand on and get into stuff you shouldn't. Momma's makeup is a good start, as are sugar bowls, cookies, plants, and perfume bottles.

I keep meaning to post more In-Progress pics, but it seems I rarely remember to do so when I am immersed in a project. Today, though, I remembered...Hooray!
This seat goes to the cutest, sweetest little child's chair (the child AND the chair!). The clients live on-island here, and requested mermaids, sea turtles, sea horses...sea related stuff. YAY!!! My favorite subject matter and back in my comfort zone. (A relief after the majority of my last project's subject matter.)
Despite the relief of being back within my subject matter comfort zone, I am still pressing myself to finish this quickly. I've already had it longer than I'd hoped as I finished projects that were already in-progress before starting this one. I feel quite badly about that, as Little Layna uses this chair every day is emotionally attached to it. She cried when they left the chair here! (Sniffle Sniffle) Don't worry, sweet Ly