i don't pretend to know the solutions for our world. but i do know the solution for my little world when things seem to be falling apart on a larger scale: when there is destruction, create.
needless to say my maker hands have been very active over the last few days. it seems when they are not making something, they are pressed together in prayer or resting in calm abiding during meditation.
creating is the opposite of destruction. it has such healing magic on both an individual and collective level. the act of creating soothes the soul and provides contribution when you feel immobilized and hopeless. it can be an antidote for collective despair.
some of my makes from the last few days and weeks:
this giant wood panel (that my beautiful husband made for me) is just being played on right now. i'm writing little bits of understory as i continue to layer with colors.
a few weeks ago, i decided i needed to do something with the beads i have been hoarding for years. i learned to make crochet beaded necklaces from a video tutorial. it's kind of addictive, that repetitive productive process.
i want to make handmade gifts for my loves this christmas. i sketched out a ganesh to print on fabric for a sachet filled with comforting lush fragrance.
when i was stuck pondering how to simplify the sewing of the sachet, i remembered that i had sketched and watercolored a ganesh a few months back that would be a simpler circular shape. so it is.
still experimenting with natural fillers, but it's kind of awesome.
i met a friend downtown for a few healing hours of catching up over hot spiced cider and tea. i was overjoyed to see good karma tea in the shop. it's so lovely (and a little weird) to see your art (i designed the logo) in the world.
i'm taking some baby steps (because honestly, i think they are the only steps i know how to take) in figuring out how to share my making with the world. one step was ordering a set of contact cards (yes, contact cards, because i have a strong avoidant reaction to the word business and everything associated with it, so i'm using my own language around sharing my work).
while i was mixing scents for the ganesh sachets, i explored capturing the scents i love around our home. i have said so many times, "i wish i could bottle that smell". so i did. this fragrance oil is everything i love about here: woods (cedars, juniper), comfort (coffee, cocoa, chai) and spirit (nag champa). i had such an amazing time making it that i am working on sharing it. because i need my entire world to smell like comfort and safety right now.
i kind of caught the scentmaking bug, i'm currently working on a holiday scent called soulstice fire.
i hope you find yourself with some time and space to create something lovely today. our world needs your individual gracemaking. thank you for making art, friends, peace, healthy children, soup, tea and conversation flavored with empathy and compassion. thank you for weaving together textile and community and asana and story. thank you for creating our beautiful world.
i love you.
