Do Not Be Afraid...Come On In

Yours is to live it, not to reveal it.

~Helen Luke

Sometimes I get caught up in the game. The game of striving for importance.

What do I mean by this?

Well...as a kid I fantasized about being important, famous, or even rich. I think for the most part we are taught that self-importance comes with having a great job (that pays well), a big house, nice car, and even kids. These are some examples of success.

So it is not a mystery when this feeling crosses over into my art. Sometimes I feel the need to think about what will sell. To make pieces that EVERYONE will love and want but is this the objective in being an artist? It is quite difficult to be in the minds of others and then trying to make things that the public would like but you yourself do not like at all!

So when I make certain pieces, that I have a blast making, but know in my heart that the general public would not like I feel guilty. I say to myself that "I should not be making this or that" and need to make pieces that will sell! Getting caught up in the selling part. I need to obtain money and maybe become known.

That is when I read An Invitation.

I was being invited to shed any ideas of grand purpose, no matter how devoted I may be to what I was doing, and to devote myself to the life at hand. That means for me to make things that fills me with purpose and bliss.

So what fills me with purpose and bliss these days?

Making pieces out of re-purposed bullet casings, like

Bullet Pendants...

Quartz Crystal...let the healing begin!

Kyanite...let the heart be revealed.

TinSkulls...

Recycled tin

Winter Calaveras...

Torch fired enamel

And Gift Tags...Yeah, I said it, "Gift Tags".

My first carving of a stamp! Oh yes indeed!!!

Will I make money off of gift tags? Probably not but you know what?

I had a damn good time making them!!!

Namaste
Kalaya

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Kalaya Steede

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