Studio Saturday Reflecting With Lynn Davis

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

The winner for last weeks offering of a Teal Bird by Heather at Humblebeads is Christine Damm!

Congratulations! Please email Heather your address so she can ship that off to you.

This week, I've been in a thoughtful mood, partially due to the current events we hear in the news. When I took this photo earlier this week, planning to use it for my week in Studio Saturday, I wasn't really aware that the title of the book, "World History," that I used as a backdrop would become more meaningful. I just liked the color and texture of it, with the bright cast pewter pieces on top of it. The Resting Heart Shields, the keys and crosses, especially speak to me with meaning.

Last Saturday was the day the old church that sits behind my house takes down the Christmas decorations and puts them away for another year. My husband and I helped with the process, it was a community project together. Weeks earlier, everyone had brought a poinsettia plant in remembrance of someone, and they added a bright spot of color to the old whitewashed wood walls and dark floors. 

If you're like me, and you've been listening to the news, it's hard to think about the things that happen, the sudden losses and the inexplicable turns of history that bring such sadness, and for those who survive and heal, such turmoil and change.

Maybe this isn't a usual topic for this blog, but it made me think about what I can do, with my creativity, to help with remembrance, and holding the hope of change in my own hands and heart.

Some time back I made a pewter ornament for donation to decorate the little country church's tree, and as I took it down, wrapped it in organza and put it away last Saturday, I tried to think of things that I can do to make a difference for Peace and Hope in this new year we all face together.

When I took this photo of the giveaway pewter cross for this post, and put it onto a vintage map of the world, I wasn't thinking then about the meaning - but now it seems very special and right. No matter where in the world we are located, we can make our own mark for change, don't you think?

If you also have personal goals to share your talents and hope in the new year, post your thoughts here and if you respond to this question and are the one chosen, you'll win one of my hand cast pewter crosses, to make your own remembrance, gift of love or ornament to start the process in your own way:

How do you participate in your community with your beads or jewelry? Is giving from the heart part of your creativity? It could be teaching someone, giving to an auction, or a gift to someone who is suffering and needs hope. If you have thoughts about how our participation in our families, communities and nation can help light the way to greater peace, share it with all of us here. In a small way, we can begin the process here, with each other.

Peace and joy, every day, to each of you, from Lynn Davis, who is grateful every day for all the good things already given!