Painting Broken Flowers
It seemed every month I receive a request that challenge my skills. The thing that scared me the most were flowers.
Before eighteen months ago, I had never picked up a small paint brush. I’ve painted walls but slapping paint on a wall in a house is a lot different than detailed painting on a small bead. I’ve Never. Ever. considered myself an artist. Creative, yes. Artistic, no.
When I launched Sarahfide.com, I had no intention of painting anything, but as I started building my earring collection, I needed specific colored beads. I looked into purchasing (painted) beads but since many of the earrings were one-of-a-kind, it wasn’t economical for me to spend money on strands of beads when I only needed two or four beads of a certain color. That is when I started painting my own beads. My first paint colors were teal and mustard. These are an updated earring of my original earring designs, now available on my site.
As Sarahfide grew, I started to receive requests for more intricate jewelry creations. It seemed every month I receive a request that challenge my skills. The thing that scared me the most were flowers. In truth, I have a gift with colors, blending and obviously making a beautiful, wearable piece of jewelry but flowers!!! that takes skill. Artistic skill!!
A few weeks ago, I received a special request for a Mother’s Day gift. I was asked to recreate a china pattern onto a bracelet. Back Story- My client’s Mother-In-Law had one dish from her mother’s china and it had been broken. The pieces were collected and It was being displayed in a shadow box.
This was the picture that was provided to me.
Requests like this are so exciting!! I love being challenged with new creations and I love being a part of something so special!! This was sure to be a beautiful and meaningful gift. BUT…. the china pattern was… FLOWERS!!….
In first grade, Miss. Dubois, my first grade teacher, with gentile patience, would place a small wooden train on my desk and read the book, “The Little Engine That Could”, every time I would say, “I can’t.” Almost forty years later, when faced with something that seems impossible, I still think of Miss. Dubois and the little wooden train.
Truth, I didn’t succeed the first time or the second time, but I didn’t give up.
Friend, I don’t know what painting broken flowers looks like to you. Maybe it is making a huge life choice that terrifies you, or making a commitment that is going to force you to sacrifice a comfort. We all have moments when we are looking at something daunting. Try. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Try, Try again!!
Click the video to see the details up close.
I feel honored that you continue to believe in me!! It was a joy and honor to create so many amazing pieces this Mother’s Day!! Thank you for inviting Sarahfide into your lives and wearing it so proudly!!
Labeled
Sadly, I have nothing to offer to help ease your pain… No magic words or potion.
There will never be a Mother’s Day, that I don’t think about the women who have heavy hearts, the forced smiles, and the silent tears.
I was married in 1999 and had my first baby in 2008. Year after year, we tried to get pregnant… and nothing. Hundreds of pregnancy tests, because you never use just one. You use the entire pack, hoping… praying for a faint line. My particular medical condition was Endometriosis. At 23 I was labeled - Infertile
In 2007, after doing {IVF} In Vitro Fertilization a second time, John and I conceived. We had one more failed IVF attempt before naturally conceiving our second and third baby.
No matter your circumstances: Not being able to get pregnant, not being able to carry a baby to term, loosing a baby after birth, or loosing a child, please know, I see you. I’m talking to the women who have no children and women who do. We all have a story.
Sadly, I have nothing to offer to help ease your pain… No magic words or potion. I can only offer my prayers, my love, my shoulder. This necklace is dedicated to all of you.
An empty bead, for those who have never known the feeling of being pregnant.
A date, for those who have loved and lost a baby in their womb.
A gray initial, for those who carried a baby in their arms but had to say goodbye to soon.
A black initial, for those who have lost a child, young or old.
I love you and I see you.
~s (You can view this necklace on my site Sarahfide.com)
