Painting Broken 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.

Teal Zeal Dangles All Day Fun Dangles

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!!

If You Hit A Wall, Swim. Fly!

Have you hit a wall lately in your life? Maybe at your J.O.B., in your marriage, with a friend??

I did. Four short years ago, during a necessary, common surgery, a doctor accidentally removed the majority of my left ureter. (They were attempting to remove my left ovary, but made a mistake.) It was devastating. Life changing. What should have been an outpatient surgery, turned into a half month stent, in a hospital. Three surgeries, a dozen procedures, and top physicians couldn’t repair the damage that had been done. My body was, is, and forever, will be broken. I spent the first three years mostly recovering from my latest surgery or procedure. Then, I received the devastating news from Mayo Clinic, that the pain, infections, and possible kidney failure were just going to be part of my life. There was noting they could do. The damage was done and it was not repairable.

My Brick Wall.

I gave in to the idea that I had lost myself on that surgical table. I was hopeless… depressed. I felt like a giant taker. No longer a functioning contributor to my family or society. I believed I had noting to give. I fell prey to the lies that I was worthless, unnecessary, and unneeded. Just existing was hard.

The details of my recovery are another story, and one I am anxious to tell, but not today.

I will say, that as a part of my recovery, I started trying to create things to give to others. I wanted so much to bring JOY to others. I started making small gifts and it evolved into making jewelry. Then…Sarahfide was born. I had learned to SWIM.

Sarahfide has become so important to me. It is my pride and JOY!

Why?

First, it has helped me see my value. Even if I didn’t have Sarahfide, I am no longer blinded by the lies that I am worthless. I have an amazing husband and three beautiful children and I contribute to their lives, Just By Being Me.

Secondly, I’m ready to contribute. Not only do I want to pick myself up and live, but I want to thrive!!! I want to contribute to my church, my family and friends, and to my home. Two years ago, we sold our home. We couldn’t afford to live there and pay my rising medical expenses, with my declining health. After selling our home, we moved into an old property owned by my parents. It is a mobile home, made in the Seventies. This is where we now lay our heads but it has never felt like our home. We are grateful for our community, our family but I am ready to stand on my own two feet. My dream, my husbands dream, AND our three girls pray that Sarahfide will be successful enough to buy a home of our own. Not new… not large… just ours.

So, you can see, there is much to be done. The wall is still there. Going that way is not an option for me. Daily, I struggle with the consequences of this medical injury. It is not going to go away. I am leaning how to do life differently. I am now in the water and I am swimming. I have a goal, a destination, and I am determined to get there, even if I have to learn how to FLY!

No matter your dream, don’t give up. Never! Give! Up!. If you hit a wall, find another way. There is always a way around. Swim. Fly, if you have to!