In No Particular Order - Finding Inspiration At The Scrap Yard

I travel through life with my camera by my side, often needing to remind myself to experience the moments instead of trying to capture them in pictures.  While gathering photos during my adventures, I mentally write narratives to go with them.  I do this with every intention of putting pencil to paper as soon as I get home.  Then, reality strikes.  I return to real life; I'm pulled in a million directions at one time; and I'm off and running before I ever write a single word. 

This is the first in a series of posts that I'll call, In No Particular Order.  Each will provide me with an opportunity to walk down memory lane, rediscovering my inspiration while sharing glimpses of my life and thoughts with you.  Now, In No Particular Order, on to my first post...

So much to see, and so little time!  For safety's sake, individual wandering time
at the scrap yard is limited to lunchtime when the machinery is nonoperational.

Shortly after the holidays, I ventured with Jodi Ohl and Mary Neligan on a trip that we'd planned and canceled multiple times.  We set out with destinations in and around Raleigh, Cary, and Apex, North Carolina in mind.  We were in search of sales opportunities for our work, and on the way, we planned a quick lunchtime stop at Lee Iron and Metal in Sanford, NC.  The day was brisk and bright, and I'll pick up my narrative in the photos from this adventure.


Inspiration overload under a Carolina Blue Sky!  We made a beeline for
the corners where we'd be most likely to find cast off treasure.

To the untrained eye, this looks like a pike of junk.  We see fish tails and jewelry components.

Circuit boards aplenty! 

These pieces weigh a ton, and they sparked all kinds of creative dreaming.
Imagine all that we could make with them if only we had welding skills! 
(Not To Self:  Add welding classes to my bucket list.)

I've been working through a jewelry collection that's
inspired by my real life photos.  This one will serve as
inspiration for the next piece that I create.

On a micro level, I was captivated by the metal shavings and
parts and pieces that wear their history in a weathered patina.

Mary, in her element and on the hunt for Funky Fish Parts.
Day glow vests are our mandatory matching fashion statement at the scrap yard.

A perfect end to a perfect day.  :-)