Hand Made

 One of the many wonderful things about vacationing in Northern Michigan, or as we like to say "Up North", is the abundance of friendly, creative people. I've sometimes been admonished by my friends for being too friendly. The older I get the more I realize that we leave this planet with nothing other than our memories and experiences. So, when God puts someone on my path and I have the opportunity to hear about their journey, I jump at it. I often find this is where the magic of synchronicity happens. Which brings me back to the title of this post, Hand Made. Often, as I'm shopping in my Northern Michigan Paradise I will see something in a gift shop, farmers market or gallery that catches my eye. Sometimes the artist or crafts person is the one selling the item. It is special opportunity to hear the story from the artist them self about why they do what they do and how much they love doing it.  If someone is truly passionate about what they are creating whether it's a bar of soap or a jar of honey you can feel that in their goods.  One encounter in particular brought this connection so clearly into focus that it made me look at "Hand made" products in a whole new light.
I stepped into the Daybreak Gallery in downtown Manistee, MI just planning on browsing at the beautiful pottery, some of which caught my eye from the window. After wandering around a bit I was greeted by Schyler, a good looking young man who asked if he could help me. I told him I was admiring his work, in particular his coffee mugs. He proceeded to show me what he said was the "best" mug in his gallery. He told me that earlier in the summer he had "wood fired" this mug as opposed to kiln firing. I could feel the enthusiasm and passion he had for his craft. Schyler spoke of camping out with the fire and tending it for three days and that this technique offered it's own unique colors, pattern and texture not to mention how labor intensive it was. As I listened to his explanation, a mug directly over his shoulder caught my eye, it was small and had what looked like a crow feather on the side. As he finished his story I said, "what about that mug?" as I pointed to the little crow feather mug. He said that too was wood fired and these were the only two he had left in the gallery, all of the others were kiln fired. Then it clicked, could it be that, three months earlier he'd been given the design thought to create a mug that was meant solely for me? Perhaps I was destined to walk into his shop and find it. Why "that" mug you might ask, well ,you see my sister Barb was a Bead-work artist before she passed, while she was here she took the crow as her inspirational totem. I can't express how strongly I feel that she sent that little mug to me through this young potter. Oh, by the way, I bought both mugs! The point is when we open our hearts to other peoples stories we often get more in return that just buying an item. We can feel a connection, friend and strangers alike. By purchasing hand made goods and meeting the passionate people who create them we then become part of their story. Synchronicity at work, or should I say, at play! As artists I think we might sometimes be tempted to dismiss a creative idea that initially we perceived as silly or without artistic merit. But remember you may be creating a piece specifically for someone you haven't even met yet. Follow your artistic heart! Your creation will always find the person it was meant for. 

If you're ever in West Northern Michigan stop in and say hi to these folks or visit them on the web!
Karen

Susan Lingg is an outstanding watercolor artist and teacher. Susan's loose and vibrant style captures the beauty of nature and pulls you into the landscapes she paints. Susan is the reason I picked up a brush!
http://www.watercolorsbysusan.com/​

Kim at Great Lakes Soapworks, I've been buying her soap for years.
https://www.facebook.com/Great-Lakes-Soapworks-125658140780673/

Sarah from Wee Bee Jammin" raises her own Bee's and the Jams are fantastic!
https://www.facebook.com/Wee-Bee-Jammin-194562302908/
https://www.weebeejammin.com/

Miller's Northwood Farm Market in Onekama, MI. Chet and Bonnie are super nice people, I love this little market!
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070315485170