Ep. 6: Handmade Holidays

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Have you ever given handmade gifts? And not just the ones that you bought from some maker at a craft show, either. Have you, yourself, made gifts to give to the people you love because the perfect gift just wasn't out there-- it had to come from your own two hands?

In this episode of the podcast, I discuss one of my most memorable Christmases, which was the one where we had very little financial wiggle room, but the impact of what I did choose to give was truly beautiful.

I believe that we all have the ability to express ourselves creatively. Maybe you don't consider yourself very creative. Maybe you have no desire to dabble in the arts or explore the crafting realms. But the gifts we come up with from our own impressions, inspiration and experiences when thinking of that special someone to whom we'd like to give are some of the most meaningful and memorable. And in the act of creating, trying something new, we not only connect on a deeper level to the item's intended recipient, we also connect with a deeper understanding of ourselves.

I mentioned this book in the episode, Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by Daid Bayles & Ted Orland. And here are a couple of the quotes that have resonated with me so far as I've been reading through it:

pg 5 "The function of the overwhelming majority of your artwork is simply to teach you how to make the small fraction of your work that soars."

pg. 15 "Imagination is in control when you begin making an object. The artwork's potential is never higher than in that magic moment when the first brushstroke is applied, the first chord struck. But as the piece grows, technique and craft take over, and imagination becomes a less useful tool. a piece grows by becoming more specific...The development of an imagined piece into an actual piece is a progression of decreasing possibilities..."

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and holiday season full of peace, joy and hope.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." -Romans 15:13