Why We Make: Delicate Lines Left on Purpose

I write The Gifted Blog because I love to make. I've been thinking about what it means to be a Christian and to love making things. I hope the reflections in this series will be jumping-off points for thoughtful discussion among us, no matter your spiritual background. For the whole series, click here.

After writing about my hunt for the perfect handmade souvenirs in Japan, I reflected on this passage from the Bible:

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
                                       Isaiah 64:8

I came home from our trip with a single teacup and bowl, loving the the mark of the potter's hand on each. At the time I wrote, "[M]aybe there's a deeper reason this bowl and cup are striking a chord for me. I can't always see the beauty in each person, but if you look, we each bear evidence of a master potter's hand."

A month or two later, I was excited to hear that a friend was picking up her last batch of work from a ceramics class. The firing process was complete, the pieces ready for collection. I asked if I could see them. We had a little viewing party, and though the vessels were lovely for a first-time ceramicist (as you can see for yourself), she was very humble. Later, she e-mailed to say:

It was fun having you and N today! I am so glad you stopped by to see my "work of art" (haha, this is how my husband, J, calls them, though he thinks the flat ones look like ashtrays).

She'd seen the post I mentioned above and continued:

You're right about the mark of the potter's hand! I really liked your quote. I haven't read the Bible yet but I could relate to your thoughts. I agree with you that they make ceramics more special. I sometimes make delicate lines with my fingernails and leave them there on purpose. They seem to make my potteries look more warm and friendly, compared to the ones with a clean and polished surface.

What she wrote took the Isaiah passage right out of the abstract and into real life. How refreshing to remember that the mark of the potter's hand can literally be a mark, made and left on purpose.

E's joy in making these vessels was evident. It helped me to imagine the way that God works as a potter does. With pleasure. With purpose. Putting his distinct mark on our lives, making something that might seem like a mistake into evidence that it was crafted by him, by the divine.

"We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." Lord, that I would yield to your hand. That I would be shaped and made by you. That I would bear the mark of your touch on my life.


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Reader Question: Wrapping Non-Material Gifts

"I'd be interested in hearing more about both non-item gifts people have given and how they gave/wrapped them. For example, a day together at the spa or 5 free hours of babysitting."     --Shawna

Shawna, thanks so much for your question! You may have seen these two examples of gift wrapping gift certificates already. But there have got to be more ways than that!

Readers, what are some of the non-materials gifts (services, experiences, gift certs, etc) you've given? Any good tips on how to wrap them? Chime in and help us solve this little dilemma!

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{Images by Marco Bellucci and Robert S. Donovan}

5 Minute Upgrade: Index Card Doodle

This series was born when a friend requested quick ways to make a gift look nice before running out the door. Want more? Click here to see every 5 Minute Upgrade post to date!

When is a bowl of fruit not just a bowl of fruit?

When it comes with a sweet note like this!

With an index card and pencil, our neighbors turned this simple arrangement into a thoughtful welcome home gift. And you can, too! You don't need to be a Rembrandt to doodle a happy face (or other simple subject matter) on a present's card or gift tag. Honestly, it's the thought that counts.

Do you have a 'go-to' doodle that you like to draw? Or did your drawing skills never advance beyond the 1st-grade level? (No shame, we won't laugh...)

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Why We Make: Filled With Divine Spirit

I write The Gifted Blog because I love to make. I've been thinking about what it means to be a Christian and to love making things. I hope the reflections in this series will be jumping-off points for thoughtful discussion among us, no matter your spiritual background. For the whole series, click here.

When I began The Gifted Blog, I had some of the beginning blogger's jitters one might expect. I was self-conscious and overly aware of my work being made public. But I also had another kind of anxiety.

As I continued to wrap gifts and blog about it, a nagging question lingered: What does God think about all this? Sure, blogging about gift wrapping isn't one of the Seven Deadly Sins, but it doesn't seem particularly virtuous either. As a Christian, I care about what God thinks of my life. Was my love of DIY frivolous to him? Did God care that I had just used a mixed greens box to wrap a gift? Was I supposed to turn my blog into a Christian gift wrapping blog?

Then I read Exodus and my heart leapt. God commissions a fleet of craftsmen and women to execute his custom design for the tabernacle, his dwelling place:

The Lord spoke to Moses: See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: and I have filled him with divine spirit, with ability, intelligence, and knowledge in every kind of craft, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, in every kind of craft. Moreover, I have appointed with him Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have given skill to all the skillful, so that they may make all that I have commanded you.   Exodus 31: 1-6

God gives us the ability to create. Not in an abstract sense, but quite specifically. He filled Bezalel with his own spirit, and the knowledge to devise artistic designs, skillfully manipulate precious metals, cut stones and carve wood. He's given skill to all the skillful.

Are you a crafter? A maker? A woodshop tinkerer? Got any creative skill at all? This isn't just an odd thing you happen to have a knack for, it is an ability given to you from God. It is something to be used well. The ability to create beautiful things isn't unimportant to God. In fact, I believe he is the source of our ability to do so.

So, why do we make? One answer is that we make because we've been given a divine spirit to do so.

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{Image by Mr. T in DC}

P.S.

Aw, T just sent me a photo of him and L opening gifts at their baby shower. Ours (on the left) is the one I just blogged about. It's a little hard to see, but the box on the right is a chocolate brown one with yellow and robin's-egg-blue ribbons. Nice combo!

And this is G playing one of the shower games. Gotta love co-ed baby showers. Thanks for the pictures, T!

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Wrap Story: Brown Paper Packages

This Wrap Story is part of a mini-series, documenting every present I’ve wrapped since the launch of The Gifted Blog. Click here for the whole series!

Our friends T and L are expecting! Aren't they cute? Not many of our peers have kids yet, so we were especially excited to celebrate with them at their co-ed baby shower.

Books were special-requested, so we picked up two of our favorites - Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z  by Lois Ehlert and Hippos Go Berserk by Sandra Boynton. We read to N before every naptime and bedtime, and we haven't gotten sick of these yet (that's saying a lot). These two have stood the test of time.

I got major performance anxiety while preparing to wrap these presents. I had too many gift wrapping ideas on the table - a swaddling blanket wrap! a basket from their registry! wrap it in a map! wrap it in something else, then decorate it with a map! My husband patiently listened my insecure creative freak-out. Not one of my high points as a 'gift wrapping is fun!' role model.

Though I've snubbed double-sided tape in the past, this was one occasion I would have liked to try it.

Stressed, I scrapped every aforementioned gift wrapping idea and pared it down to my favorite kraft paper wrap. I ran my fingers over  each edge to make it crisp and defined. I kept the embellishments spare and playful: a little bow tie made with twisted paper cord (sent by a reader - thanks, Jantira!) and a handmade gift tag from my gift tag stash, secured with a strand of raffia.

And in the end, it's just gift wrap! Duh. It was a healthy dose of reality to go to the shower, drop off the gift and get to the real reason we were there - to have fun and celebrate with the mom and dad-to-be. Am I the only one? Have you ever stressed out over something you normally really enjoy doing?

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Free Idea Friday: Printable Vintage Floral Gift Tags

Okay, okay, my last free idea was also by Amy Moss, but I had to share this one with you while it's still officially summer (13 days left)! Get your Summer Floral Gift Tags right here at Eat Drink Chic. I can see these on a baby shower present - it's sweet enough for babies but sophisticated enough for the parents who will actually be opening the gift!

What end-of-summer/start-of-fall events are you attending these days?

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Buds & Blooms Kids' Workshop

Good news - I now offer a private art class for kids!

Buds and Blooms Kids' Workshop
Use your hands and imagination to make paper flowers inspired by Monet's water lilies! Each participant will take home handmade flowers and a gift wrapping kit to use for birthday parties or a special occasion. A perfect activity for parties and groups of budding artists!

Students will receive an introduction to Claude Monet and the Impressionists, then a chance to make projects based on his famous water lilies paintings. Above, G and E show off their versions of the flowers Monet is now famous for.

Can you spot all the collaged lily pads below?

The details:
Buds and Blooms Kids' Workshop
Ages: 7-11
Rates: $25 per student (includes cost of materials)
Location: Greater Pasadena area, in the comfort of your own home
Contact: Charissa at giftedmailbox[at]gmail.com to discuss your private class today!

P contacted me to arrange the first Buds & Blooms Workshop for her daughters and their friends this summer. With a picnic table and tablecloth, she set up a lovely outdoor studio...and the fun began. If this piques your interest, please be in touch! I'm happy to answer any questions.

Wrap Story: Giving Back

This Wrap Story is part of a mini-series, documenting every present I’ve wrapped since the launch of The Gifted Blog. Click here for the whole series!

Having family in a few different states means that we travel by air on a semi-regular basis. In our marriage, one of our least favorite tasks is figuring out how to get to and from the airport. Can anyone else relate? We'll book our tickets and then put off asking for a ride for weeks.

It's a habit we're trying to break. But thankfully, our friends are very good to us. B offered to get us from the airport at the end of our last family vacation. Not only that, she did something I've never had done for me (or thought to do for anyone else!). Waiting in the car with her was a Nalgene full of water, a couple bananas and a container of homemade banana chocolate chip cookies.

That is love.

We'd picked out a pack of lemon coconut curry couscous for B before our departure. Who knew the Iowa City Farmers' Market had gone so global?

Growing up amongst Japanese-American family and friends, a nice thing to do when returning someone's container (from a potluck or party) was to wash it and put a little something inside for them. I'm not sure if it's a true Japanese tradition or more an Asian-American thing (or maybe it's Presbyterian!). Can any readers confirm from their experience?

I just put the couscous in B's container and topped it with a thank-you and a grocery bag pom-pom I had from a past workshop. Simple and quick, perfect gift wrapping for the jet-lagged but grateful.

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Inspired By: Monkey Gift Bags

This Inspired By post is part of a mini-series on the things and people that inspire my gift wrapping. Inspiration can strike at any time!

These individually screenprinted "snack sacks" are the delightful result of the collaboration between Shay Ometz and Jeff Barfoot. Based in Dallas, their company, bee things, makes screenprinted goodies for kids and adults alike.

Though described as lunch sacks for a special day, I think these would make super gift bags for a kid's birthday party! They'd also be a welcome change from the pinks and blues you usually see at baby showers. Considering that screenprinted art can easily go for $30+ per piece, these strike me as very reasonably priced. For more variations of these whimsical bags (including some for more sophisticated tastes), visit the bee things Etsy shop.

How do you wrap kids' gifts? We have a baby shower this weekend and I'm pondering the same thing.


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Why We Make: Something Beautiful for God

I'm taking a new direction in this series called Why We Make. I write The Gifted Blog because I love to create. I've been thinking about what it means to be a Christian and to love making things. I'm finally making public some of the ideas that have been germinating. I hope these reflections will be jumping-off points for thoughtful discussion among us, no matter your spiritual background. For the whole series, click here.

In a morning prayer time about a year ago, I read this passage and was moved.

The Lord said to Moses: Tell the Israelites to take for me an offering; from all whose hearts prompt them to give you shall receive the offering for me. This is the offering that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, blue, purple, and crimson yarns and fine linen, goats' hair, tanned rams' skins, fine leather, acacia wood, oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones and gems to be set in the ephod and for the breastpiece. And have them make me a sanctuary, so that I may dwell among them.   Exodus 25:1-8

I was struck by the way God asks the Israelites to make him something beautiful. He wants a place to dwell among them, and it must be beautiful, fragrant, fine. Look at all the specific materials He asks for. God has an aesthetic!

God made the heavens and the earth. He separated light from darkness. He populated the waters of the sea and the dry land with living things. He could easily make himself a place to dwell. But for some reason, he asks them to.

It's not an ultimatum, but a directive for those whose hearts prompted them to give. I like imagining the people with the supplies mentioned being prompted to give. Oh, I have crimson yarn. I can give the spices to make the incense smell sweet.

I read the passage and have so many questions. What does it mean now to make a place where God can dwell among us? What does it mean to not just make something beautiful, but to make something beautiful for God? God came to earth as a humble baby, born in a barn. What was He communicating with such lavish building materials for this sanctuary?

{Image by Ashley R. Good}

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