Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Full Circle



I read an article in the magazine, Handmade Success by Luann Udell where she talks about the core story. 

"...the story that creates the foundation for all your other stories. When you find it, it tells the world why it should care about what you do. All the other stories- the who, the what, where and how- all recede before the story of WHY."

When I read the article that preceded this one, I thought to myself, 'Huh, that makes sense.' I also thought finding the WHY I make jewelry would be easy peasy. Surely I should know why, right? Wrong!

Writing comes very natural to me- so I sat down and started writing about all the reasons why I make jewelry. Thiese are what I came up with:

• Making jewelry is a form of creative expression for me.
• I love color - shades, hues, etc.
• I love the patterns of gemstones.
• Nature inspires me.
• I love taking wire and creating something beautiful.

All of these are true, but none of them are the WHY I make jewelry. I had to dig deeper and continue to ask myself why. I think I wrote for two hours - why I use the materials I do, how I learned, why I make the types of jewelry I make. I still didn't hit the jackpot. I, figuratively, threw my hands up in the air, tore out the pages and crumpled them. Exasperated, I put this question on the back burner.

And then...
I thought I needed to change my business name. See: Evolving Name



In 2008, I felt a calling (a rather strong feeling in the center of my being) to make rosaries. Up until then, I had never worked with wire or chain. I had absolutely no clue as to how I was going to pull this off.

How do I make a rosary? Where will I get the materials to make a rosary? 

Well one day when I was walking in downtown Santa Cruz, headed towards Lulu's coffee spot, I felt a virtual hand gently turning me around , changing the direction I was headed... I cannot describe this feeling any more than I can describe the calling I felt. 

I walked in the direction that I was told to walk, and I ended up walking into an antique store. I,literally, was brought to a case that had crucifixes and a Miraculous Medal. I bought them and then (went to Lulu's.) it was truly awe-inspiring. Had I just witnessed a miracle? It sure felt that way! 

Later, when I got home, I got my rosaries out and looked at the beads - how can I recreate this? I started practicing, bought some more rosary parts from an online store called Lewis and Company and then I started making rosaries.



Up to date, I've made over two dozen rosaries for family, friends, and the prolife movement. 

Next up: The Rosary (and why this gift is so precious!)

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