It’s all the same energy. Improvising is the same whether I’m playing or writing music, drawing, or creating jewelry. It’s all completely stream-of-consciousness and organically interwoven exponentially as time goes on. Whereas before,I found myself hopping from one esthetic to another, now all my children are not only peacefully coexisting, but thriving.

As a professional musician, I started drawing and making jewelry again after a 25 year hiatus. When a 2004 diagnosis of breast cancer came just before I was scheduled to tour to support my 2nd recording, my sister Susan intuitively brought home a pencil box, 3 x 5” drawing pad and pencils in a variety of hardnesses that fit snugly inside, and said “Here – you need to draw again...”

Susan, who had relocated in NYC after spending 15 years of her life in Colorado, recently had an inexplicable urge to move back east. She moved in with me temporarily, until she could find her own place. Three days after she moved in, I went for a routine mammogram that turned out to be suspicious. We went for the biopsy a few days later and were together when I got the diagnosis.

Although we referred to ourselves as The Odd Couple, Susan and I have always had a sixth sense about each other that’s pretty extraordinary. Her “temporary” stay lasted a whole year, at which time she was by my side for both my surgeries and subsequent treatment.

You may think it strange, but this was an amazingly fortuitous time for me. With the great help of my beautiful sister Susan and dear friends and family, I was able to tap back into my creativity three-fold (music, art and jewelry design), which continuously leads to other disciplines. Opening that door again gave me access to a wellspring I could’ve never imagined! That was a gift I may have never realized had it not been for that crossroad.

Around the same time, the extraordinary musicians I’ve been working with formed what we now call The Timelessness Project. You can read more about that on the Timelessness page on this site, as well as: www.myspace.com/barbarasfragaandcentersearchquest

It’s come full circle…the music inspires the drawings...which weaves its way into the jewelry...which finds itself in the music, and on and on...

It’s my dream to keep this energy vibrant and perpetually growing, branching ever farther and wider, spreading LOVE, planting seeds of PEACE, embracing ALL.

My great hope is that any who hear of my story who may be going through difficult times willfind strength in knowing that even in the darkest hour, the light is always there. The key to this for me, is to reach out and take the hand that’s offered (still learning that, though I’m much better at it these days...). It really does take a village. No one need be alone. It’s all about community, folks. I am grateful and truly blessed with all the beautiful people in my life, and pass that blessing on to you...

Deep root energy bursting through sidewalks, morphing into gnarled and knotty branches winding their way towards the sun...I collect gifts that have fallen from story-telling trees - some seasoned by the sea. Following the natural flow of the branches that beckon me, they are mated with hand-picked semi-precious stones and enmeshed in sterling silver. Plus whimsical pendants, earrings and stretchy bracelets at very affordable price points! Wearable Art ~ One-of-a-kind pieces ~ Designed in collaboration with earth and sea ~ Custom designed pieces available by special order.

Selected pieces for sale at Open Shoppe.

Or contact Barbara to view the entire collection at her NY studio.