I’ve always been an arts & crafts type of person.
When I was little, I would sit and make my own picture books out of notebook paper about a gecko who went on space adventures.
In about 3rd grade, I tried to give my brother drawing lessons despite the fact that I was pretty average at drawing. We gave up after a few days, but I guess it’s the thought that counts, right?
Throughout late elementary school and middle school, I went through several friendship bracelet making phases. One type of bracelet I learned how to make, I would weave with my fingers. I remember being really proud of how fast I could make it and that I could do it with my eyes closed.
In between the friendship bracelet phase was the duct tape phase. Colored duct tape became really popular around the time when I was in 6th-7th grade. I remember making anything from bags to bookmarks to bows with the most neon tape I could get my hands on.
I suppose part of my arts & crafts obsessions were due to the fact that I was (and still am) a really competitive person and if something was trending, I would hop on that bandwagon and try to be the very best at it.
During my 8th grade fascination with anything related to medieval history, I thought it would be really neat to teach myself how to do calligraphy. I would send letters written on parchment paper and stamped with a little wax seal to my friend, Alyssa, and thought it was one of the coolest things ever. By the way, if you’re wondering, a little piece of a crayon melted in a spoon over a candle makes for an easy way to make a seal.
My calligraphy phase stayed with me for a longer time than previous phases and eventually shifted more towards the modern hand lettering that I still do today. More on that a little later on.
Another memorable phase came in 10th grade where I learned how to cross stitch, crochet, and knit. To be honest, the crocheting and the knitting never really stuck with me, but the cross stitching did. That year, I made little individual cross stitch ornaments for each one of my friends for Christmas. I guess I went a little overboard with how many ornaments I made (I think it was like 7?) because my fingers hurt after that and I got really burnt out on cross stitching and vowed never to do it again. Although I said that, I have made them every year since then for my friends & family, and my mom still faithfully helps me sew the ornaments up into little pillows.
Circling back to the hand lettering, I guess it kind of stuck with me throughout high school and I still really enjoy it today. In fact, I recently did a bunch of lettering for my friends’ wedding. It’s so interesting to look back and see how much I’ve improved over the years. However, it’s a bit ironic that I have neat lettering, but my regular hand writing is totally not consistent, messy, and a bit all over the place.
With one of the more recent designs that I posted to Instagram a little while back, I wanted to put on a t-shirt to sell. I’ve been told that I should start up my own Etsy shop, although I have no idea how any of that works or how to get my designs on shirts. (If anyone knows anything about that, I’d be open to ideas!)
If I’m being honest, I sometimes get caught in the comparison trap, especially when it comes to hand lettering. I know that I have improved a lot, and I know I can still improve in the future, but it’s a fine line between being humble with a teachable spirit and playing the “not good enough” card. I’ve dreamed of putting my designs on shirts for a little while, but sometimes I’ve been afraid to dream because I don’t want to be disappointed.
Yesterday I started reading Chip & Joanna Gaines’ book, “The Magnolia Story,” and I’m only a couple pages in, but it’s incredibly inspiring to see how God brought them to where they are today. One thing I’ve learned from that book is that it’s okay to dream big or small and trust God with those dreams of all sizes.
So Jesus, I come to you today with my big dreams, my small dreams, and even those little fragments of dreams that are just floating around in my mind and heart. I’m laying my gifts and talents at your feet because they were never really mine to begin with. I ask that you would help me to not forget the girl who made picture books, friendship bracelets, and duct tape flowers. The girl who created simply for the joy of creating. The girl who loved to learn new things. The girl who didn’t compare her art to the works of others and get stuck playing the “not good enough” card. Help me to let go of any fear, God.
And most importantly, may all my creations point back to You, the Greatest Creator of all.
“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!” Psalm 8:3-8
sarah's heart 