111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge: Spiritual Growth Through Creative Expression
Day 84: A Jewel of a Day
Since I spent most of yesterday writing, I decided to focus on another artistic outlet today – jewelry design!
I picked out a pendant and spent time choosing the accent beads. I went back and forth between colors until pleased with the final design. Just as I was ready to string it on the wire and attach the clasp, my young niece was ready for special girl time with Aunt Kelly.
The almost five-year-old child loves playing dress-up, which includes going through my closet and selecting one of the colorful necklaces in my collection. For Christmas this year, I gave her a selection of strung beads (flowers, hearts, and butterflies) so that she could make jewelry with me.
She brought her beads when she came over today, laying them out on the felt mat next to mine. As I strung my design, she created her own from amongst the many vibrant beads in her collection. She made a necklace for herself than wanted to make earrings for the ladies in her household. She didn’t stop at earrings for her baby sister – no, no…her excitement bubbled over when she picked out beads for a bracelet and then a necklace. According to the big sister, even though her two-month-old sis couldn’t wear the creations now, she’d have an entire set “once she’s older”.
I find great fulfillment in creating jewelry designs for adults, but seeing the joy and creative stimulation in my niece’s face made the art form all the more enjoyable today!
**I am an Artistic Spirit! For most of my life I’ve used the creative arts as a source of spiritual exploration and healing, even though I didn’t always do so consciously. Sometimes I was the instrument creating the art and other times I was on the receiving end. The connection between art and spirituality is so significant in my life that it’s infused into everything I do. I love music, theatre, television drama series (daytime and primetime), and creative writing and find fulfillment in artistic expression of various sorts: singing, acting, and jewelry design. Throughout the next 27 days, I’ll delve into how all of the above strengthens my spirit and has saved my life on more than one occasion.**
Kelly Deeny 