Can You Really Tell if it is a Quality Piece?
Details matter. You know how you can just tell when something is well made? Or, you can tell when there has been alot of attention put into all of the details?
“If a thing’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.“
~Chinese Proverb
Let Me Tell You A Story
My mother used to sew all of our clothes when I was young. It was primarily to save money, but it also was a passion of hers. I appreciated her efforts, but it wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized the gift she gave to us.
Not only did she make beautiful things, but she also took the time to make them as perfect as she possibly could. Over and over I would hear her say that the inside matters as much as the outside. We literally could have worn our clothing inside out because of her attention to detail..
Her Wisdom Echoes as I Create
That philosophy has resonated with me since that time. I think it’s a perfect metaphor for how to be as a person, how to live a life, and how to do whatever it is we love to do. For me, I really love to bring it into the pieces that I create.
Details matter. Details show a level of care for the process of creation. Details honor the craft.
Like Attracts Like
As I continue to navigate my creative journey, I have come across people who also have my mother’s philosophy. Maybe it’s because her words are ingrained in my cells that I vacillate towards these people. Now, their words have also joined my mother’s to echo in my mind as I give attention to whatever is in front of me.
My dear enameling teacher said, “If you’re not going to do it well, why bother.” My amazing silversmithing teacher says, “Take the time to do it right because it matters.” I carry these words in my heart and let them cloak the process as I create each piece.
Giving Myself a Break
If I find I’m tired, or am struggling, I’ve learned to put the work away for another day. If I want to skip a step because (again I’m tired), I stop and put it away. The wisdom of these women have reinforced the idea that creating a piece with every step being the most important has led me to care even more about the beauty I bring into the world.
Everything Matters
The backs of my work matter to me as much as the front (like my mom said). The details are added with love. I feel like it is a gift from me to the person wearing a piece – from my heart to theirs.
I hope that the wisdom of these women can resonate with you like it did with me.
Here are a few pieces (front and back) for you to see. Click on the image to claim one as yours
