Taming my Inner Magpie
One of my goals in starting this blog was to share some of the quieter, behind-the-scenes aspects of my personal life that inform what I do with Mending Matters.
For me, the equation often looks like this:
found unique objects + time + creativity = a future creation.
I have a habit—affectionately, I call it my inner magpie—of collecting small, overlooked things. Single earrings, lone pendants, broken baubles… the kinds of pieces that pop up in my life and would otherwise be discarded. They make their way into little baggies, small boxes inside bigger boxes, drawers tucked out of sight littered around my home and storage. And inevitably, when I need to quick-sort through something, they get shifted aside with the promise of “I’ll sort you later” whispered under my breath.
Today was finally later for some of these wayward trinkets.
I coaxed open several bags and started processing my various finds for future use. Buttons went with buttons. Polymer clay creations cozied up together. Keys with no matching lock joined on a ring to await a different purpose. Busted metal findings were removed from pendants and beads. Slowly, order emerged from the chaos.
In the process, I realized multiple trinket boxes were needed—and some empty cigar boxes quietly volunteered for duty. Now the collections have begun to take shape: buttons gathered together, crystal and glass catching the light, and a glorious collection of “everything else” waiting patiently in its own small constellation.
My mostly sorted little magpie nests are a little tidier now, patiently awaiting the next round of found treasure sorting.
As for what all of this will become? I’m not quite sure yet. But I have a vision forming, and many would probably call it a boho suncatcher.
Time will tell but I imagine a better fate than becoming landfill fodder. ✨
