The Butterfly Breaks Free

Have you ever reached what you thought was the finish line, then plot twist… disaster?!  It can be so disorienting and disheartening.  I literally had to put this project in timeout for a few months until I could approach it calmly again. It became quite symbolic for surrounding events in my life at the time as well. 

This project was going so well. I was in the final step of assembly. Then it broke, and not in the place I was focusing on. What should have been a 30 minute finish turned into a huge unwanted, unexpected journey. 

There was no hope for a repair with what I had to work with. I couldn’t finish building it as planned, as the glass is no longer manufactured. I did not have enough to cut another piece. Devastation and frustration followed for a bit. It is difficult to let go of a vision that will no longer work. 

Then, I started brainstorming several solutions. Do I have to take it apart completely and replace all of the matching glass? (Last resort) Can I show the repair and make it part of the art? (Unfortunately no) Would one mismatched piece make a statement that I could embrace for this piece? (I didn’t like this option) Does a fellow artist, by some miracle, have some of the glass I need? (While very supportive, nope) 

This is a huge part of time spent with artisan work. You must figure out multiple options and reach out for countless resources. There is a great amount of trial and error, discovery, and often reconstruction. These take so much time and energy that cannot be seen visibly in the final piece. 

After many weeks of grief, problem solving, and weighing out my options… I found a hopeful solution. The local glass dealer had an acceptable idea... sheets by a new manufacturer of the most similar glass possible. It’s not exact but close. It will become part of the story of this piece. Glass artists at a close glance will know, so will I, as will those of you reading this… otherwise it will not be noticeable. 

On this recovery journey I got to talk with master artisans. I procured some beautiful glass for future projects, in addition to the repair glass. I received further education on glass manufacturing and types of glass. Special time was spent with a friend glass hunting. I had wonderful conversations with fellow artists.  The project breaking was a huge setback. It also gave me new opportunities for discovery and learning. In the end, the project wouldn’t be what it is without the breaking.

Things can break unexpectedly. Life can. The shattering will take your breath away for a time. It is shocking and painful… tragic really. However, you must find a way to keep going. Reshape or change what is left and move forward. Grieve over what can never be again, repair what is able to be fixed, and create something magnificent out of the wreckage. Beauty can still bloom from utter disappointment and devastation. Create anew!