Teardrops

"Teardrops" is part of the Anna's Broken-Heart series. "Teardrops" represents the tears of all children who cry in pain and the parents who suffer with them. It represents Suvivors of the Holocaust, the loss of lives, the children who were sacrificed and the soldiers that died in vain. It represents the tears of people alone, hiding their pain and sorrow. 100% of the proceeds from this series goes to the Lucille Packard Children Hopsital and to another in Israel. See http://www.silverartstudio.com/ and http://twins.lpch.org/help.html for more information and donations. Just mention "Anna's Broken-Heart.

To make this piece teardrop shapes were cut from diachroic glass then ground. When cutting and grinding glass the edges have a matt finish. Often when firing the pieces come out with a haze. I found it helps to sand the ground edges using sanding disc from Rio Grande Jewelry , part # 337259 https://www.riogrande.com/home/MemberArea/NewSearchResult.aspx after grinding the edges. Wash and dry the glass piece to make sure it is clean. Then fire polish the piece in the kiln using the appropriate temperature settings for your kiln.

When making the piece I used low fire/slow dry clay and built the clay up around the stone. I have put a slide show here of a few of the pieces that I made. You can see on some the clay comes up higher around the stone than others. Remember that glass expands and metal clay shrinks so when you fire the pieces, ramp the kiln slowly. I fired these pieces to 1200 degrees for 30 mintues and then let the kiln cool to room temperature without opening the door. Waiting to see if the pieces turn out is the hard part. Tip: If the clay is too thin in any area around the teardrop, the clay will form hairline cracks. It takes practice to fine the right combination.

In His Hands

In His Hands

A cry is heard in a far away land
As a mother sobs, nearby the father stands

Hearts are breaking for the one just born
A tiny life that seems so forlorn

There are no answers, no reasons why
A child is born with such pain in it’s life

I felt their pain as I looked at her face
A life so small, a speck in space

Look at her eyes as she gazes at him
In the hands that hold her safe within

If Jehovah can hold the whole world in his hands
Then what is one life when it comes to Him?
© Colleen Lee 2008

I'll Remember

I’ll remember

I remember the day when they said that they knew,
That you would be born with something askew.
Your heart was not right and everyone knew
Any days we had would be precious and few.
I cried for awhile and then wiped my eyes
With great grandmas hanky I was saving with pride.
A miracle happened when you suddenly arrived
Beating all odds, you fought to survive.
Your cheeks are so rosy that no one would know
How sick you still are as you run and grow
Every day that you’re with us is wonderful indeed
As you surpass all odds and grow like a weed.
My love grows stronger and my faith remains true
How much time is left we wish we knew.
As each year passes, know in your heart
I’ll remember you as I design each and every “broken-heart”

© by Colleen Lee 2007