Crafty

My friend Ellen and her neighbors hosted an art and craft sale one recent Saturday.  When Ellen extended the invitation, I immediately marked my calendar.  Although I have no talents for creating art or crafts, I always enjoy seeing the quality work of others.  Such was the case that day when I saw Anita's fine jewelry, Ellen's quilted and sewn items and the handiwork of others whose talents abounded.  I ended up buying a Christmas gift for a dear friend and a little gift for myself. I just couldn't leave without one of Anita's beautiful tree pins.  Made of meticulously wound silver wire and artfully placed ice-blue beads, the pin formed a delicate deciduous tree.  I am fascinated by trees, as was my mom.  Among her pieces of nature jewelry was a bronze-tone evergreen pin that will be getting a lot of wear now that we're approaching winter and the holidays.  But, the deciduous tree pin will receive equal wear, for its loveliness reminds me of the artist-friend who made it.  

Song in Your Heart

Lawrence Welk always used to end his television program, inviting the audience to keep a song in their hearts. A recent item floating around on Facebook made me think about Mr. Welk. The Facebook item features an artist's illustration of left-brain characteristics vs. right-brain. The left brain is portrayed in black and gray as being the place for linear, rational, evidence-based thinking, while the right brain is creative, splashed with color, the place where passion resides. If it weren't for those right-brain thinkers who bring us beauty, how could we ever keep -- let alone find -- a song in our hearts? In this day when science, math and technology are applauded, where do the arts and humanities fit in? I would recommend that we strike a balance, for if we have all science and math or all arts and humanities, our lives will be greatly lacking. Striking a balance between those left and right sides of our brains is important to our quality of life and makes us more well-rounded individuals. So, let's applaud, support and embrace the arts and the artistic sides of ourselves, knowing that doing so makes life just that much more beautiful.