1/21/13

#OpenHand

The American Dialect Society chose the Twitter-inspired term, hashtag, as their word of the year for 2012. My word for 2012 was explore, and it was a great year for new challenges and discoveries. If you followed along on my blog, I am so grateful for your readership. This year, I’m trying something different – I’m setting the tone for 2013 with a symbol instead of a word. A symbol to guide me spiritually, personally and professionally.

 
A lot of things in my life were pointing me to my symbol of the open hand – the writing of Jennifer Rothschild, as some friends and I took up her study, Missing Pieces. Jennifer encouraged us to greet each morning with hands open to receive whatever God has for us in this day.

 
This print by mixed media artist, LalyBlue, drew me in with its open hand. Finished while we were both taking Kelly Rae Roberts' online class, Flying Lessons, LalyBlue asked the group to help her name it and chose “Touch the Dream” from the many suggestions.

 
LalyBlue's painting was my inspiration for this lariat, which I plan to wear often this year to keep me focused on the goals I've given myself. Three weeks in, it's a gentle reminder that 2013 encircles me, supple and fluid. And that turning my ideas into actions begins with a hand open to the promise and the possibilities.

11 comments:

  1. Lovely! The print, the necklace and the concept!
    jenni

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  2. What a lovely necklace, great post and best wishes for 2013!

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  3. Wow love your necklace Karin! What an inspiration!!! Have a great year!

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  4. Karin, it's a lovely necklace, and a lovely reminder to stay open and receptive to all the possibilities that may come our way through each day!

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  5. that is a great guide for the year ... the open hand reminds me of the Hamsa - a amulet for protection, but can also mean blessings, power and strength. you've chosen well.

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  6. Oh wow Karin, this is stunning! I'm so honored that my painting could inspire such a beautiful piece! And I love your idea of choosing a symbol for the year. I wish you many blessings and lots of inspiration in 2013! xo Laly

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  7. I love the dream necklace!

    Congrats on your upcoming journey - but I have to say that open hand pic is creepy *to me*. Of course, I ain't right, as we say in the South. It reminds me of horror movies, and people dying in showers, as you see their desperate hand sliding down the foggy glass shower door.

    I need help.

    PS - Just a heads up - Metalwork class will probably be sched for March or April - some of the supplies I need are backordered, and I want some confirmation of ETA before I formally schedule anything.

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  8. What a beautiful post! I love the painting, and the necklace it inspired in you. Looking forward to hanging with you for 2013.

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  9. Sweet Freedom, The figure in Laly's painting intrigues me - did she touch her fingertips to the window tentatively, or with purpose? And what will she turn her hands to when whe moves away from that window? The way Laly has painted her, I can invent (and reinvent) her narrative -- and I love a good backstory!

    P.S. Can't wait for rhe next metalwork adventure!

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  10. Wonderful post and symbol for the year. Your necklace is beautiful and conveys openness so well.

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  11. Just love the print and your lariat. What an excellent idea to create a piece to remind you of your goals - a lovely touchstone. BTW, how was your bead shopping in San Diego?

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