It all begins somewhere...
From an early age, I remember eagerly listening to the stories of those gathered around kitchen counters, old porch swings, glowing bon fires, and bustling workshops. As they sipped their steaming mugs of rich, strong coffee, I was captivated by the things they created with their hands as they spun their tales of days gone by. Watching things come to life both in story and form, permanently opened the door to the Creative for me. It became my place of solace and reprieve from the ever increasing hectic pace of the world.
As the verse in I Corinthians says:
“but when I became a man, I put away childish things”
Fortunately, my Creative is a persistent fighter. I still found myself incorporating creativity and the old ways in my days. Then one particularly soul-sucking day while attending the University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!!), I was hand-sewing a quilt block and a friend asked where I learned to quilt? Ya’ll…when I say the words came pouring out, I mean a sea of sentences gushed from me! This friend had probably never heard my introverted self speak so much at one time since we met. Even more shocking, she was so captivated by my story that she asked if I could teach her to quilt because she wanted to be able to teach her future kids one day.
IN AN INSTANT — EVERYTHING CHANGED.
I realized at that moment how incredibly selfish and prideful I had been..no matter how unintentional. I had been given a gift. These people had poured into me generations of skills and methods and other tools. And what had I done with it? Put it aside as something childish and fun to do in my free time. All in the name of being responsible…making my folks proud that I fulfilled the dream of having a “better” life than they had…climbing the socio-economic ladder…and a billion more excuses. My childish ways were threatening the loss of this wonderful, rich heritage I was gifted. Not to mention losing the legacy of those who had come before me.
You see people often forget the second half of that 1 Corinthians 13 quote:
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Growth is constant. Change happens when our courage grows into wisdom that allows us to see more clearly what has been there all along. It’s just a matter of perspective…and having enough faith and hope to act. Soon after, I changed my major from Audiology to Art Education. But that’s a tale for a different day.
Not only did they patiently teach me their craft as I listened to their wisdom, but these homespun Artisans instilled in me the importance of preserving our heritage through environmental creativity and stewardship to secure the future of generations to come. They nurtured the courage and creative talents within me so that I could one day unapologetically step into my calling as an Artisan creating beautiful, heirloom-quality pieces. I am passionate about revitalizing the lost arts of environmental creativity and stewardship so that we can Encourage, Empower, and Equip the next generation of Creatives as world changers.
I would love to know more about you and how I can help you craft the Slow lifestyle you crave! Email me or send a DM on Instagram, can’t wait to hear from you.