Unity in Sharing Art: Amulets and Talismans
Sharing Art – A Courageous Act
Sharing art is a act of trust. It is an act of bravery. Because our creations are tender, innocent newborns, they need protection and nurturing care. Thus, it is anxiety-producing to place our creations in the spotlight for other eyes to see. Yet by sharing our creations in a safe supportive place, we form a reassuring community. There is unity in sharing art.
Revealing our amulets and talismans to others demonstrates the value we place on the creative act. By sharing art, we are not only bearing witness to our own expressive process but also encouraging and supporting others to do the same.
Visual art is a language that fosters healing, friendship, and a deeper understanding of who we are as human beings. Coming together as a group to explore our inner landscapes with open vulnerability is a courageous act. Together, we ride the same wave, using creativity as a catalyst for change within and all around us.
Getting Started: Creating Amulets and Talismans
If you missed June’s blog post on amulets and talismans, you might want to take a peek, as it will give you the background you need to begin creating your own amulets and talismans. The elements that make up amulets and talismans are as diverse as the people who create them. To get started, simply take a walk around your neighborhood and pick things up. Begin a nature-and-found-object collection.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Free Associations – Using Words
After you have gathered your materials and created your amulet, make a list of what you used. Then, very quickly, write the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of that object. The examples shared at the end of this post will give you an idea of how this is done. Remember: there is no wrong or right way to do this. What I am giving you is a starting point; you can leap off from there.
After you have your list of words, link them together in a sentence, a poem, or simply just a thought. Using additional words is totally fine! You will be amazed at what you come up with. Try not to think too much about it — just keep your pencil or pen moving.
Prayer Paper
When making amulets and talismans, sharing a written thought or intention is a lovely way to broaden the purpose of our creations. Scrap papers can be used, but I am very fond of Origami papers. This is a good site that references several different companies you can order from.
You will enjoy having some special supplies on hand for making your talismans unique.
Milagros
If you are not familiar with the word, milagros are small, metal, religious “good luck” charms. During my frequent trips to Oaxaca, Mexico over the past ten years, I’ve collected these small charms to use within my artwork and give to my students. The word milagro means “small miracle or blessing.” These charms come in many shapes and sizes, depicting a wide range of subjects. From arms, legs, hearts, lungs, and all other body parts, to praying people, to farm animals to houses and cars — virtually every possible image is represented.
I have seen them nailed or pinned to crosses or wooden statues of various saints and their clothing; hung with little red ribbons or threads from altars and shrines; carried for protection and good luck. They range in size from less than half an inch to several inches in length. They are as unique as the cultures that produce them.
They are a beautiful thing to add to your amulet-making supplies and can be ordered on Etsy.
Amulets: Your Inner Wisdom
Your amulet is a visual manifestation of something that is being offered to you – a thought, a prayer, a new way of looking at things, a realization, a letting go. Place your amulet where you can see it every single day so that you can be reminded of its guidance. I have a kitchen altar where I place things. It could be your breakfast table, your nightstand, your dresser or chest of drawers
If you fall in love with this practice, like most do, you will soon have quite a collection of these small, magical sculptures. After you live with your amulet for a while and digest its wisdom, consider gifting it to someone else or have a gathering bowl to house them in. Sharing art with others allows your creation to radiate its energy long past the first moment you made it. How you do this is up to you; let your imagination be your guide!
Sharing Art: Readers’ Amulets and Talismans
Sharing our creations is a uniquely cathartic experience. It’s like popping a cork off a bottle of champagne — the energy sealed inside it radiates outward. This act of sharing art connects us to each-other. As we exchange insights, our creative energy manifests into a powerfully healing, empowering dialogue.
Go Forth and Create.
Snap a photo and share it with me by emailing ([email protected])
Remember to include your thoughts on what you created.
Here is what we have so far:
Thank you for Creating Brave® and sharing your creations and insights.
Feather – I found this in my garden, reminds me of freedom
I wrapped the feather in a small piece of prayer paper on which wrote one of my favorite quotes.
Cedar and ivy = Everlasting, evergreen
Blue-green beads = floating in the ocean
My Everlasting Wish
To always remember the freedom I feel when floating in the ocean, supported and lovingly cared for.
“Fly without wings; Dream with open eyes; See in darkness.” ― Dejan Stojanovic
“I will follow the sturdy rock arrow in its dynamic gesture forward, carrying with me
on this journey the comforts of tea, wise words, and faith in a Divine Healer.”
I am not sharing my associations but here is what I used. I loved this process and where it led me.
1) Rock – can’t remember the name of this type of rock. Love the looks of it though!
2) 3 small quartz beads from a bracelet that a friend brought back to me when she went to Brazil to visit John of God.
3) a stack of teabag tags with quotes about nature on them, wrapped with white silk ribbon. The teabag tags are from Traditional Medicinal teas.
4) all wrapped together with copper wire.
Amulets and Talismans as Gifts
Amulets and talismans make perfect gifts – a birthday wish, an anniversary, a graduation, a promotion, a new baby, the loss of a loved one… Create one with a specific person or occasion in mind. Write your thoughts on a beautiful piece of paper and roll it into a scroll. Consider placing it within the amulet. Then nestle your creation into a box and wrap it up. I guarantee your present will be cherished for years to come.
“Memory is both the curse of grief and the eventual talisman against it; what at first seems unbearable becomes the succor that can outlast pain.”
-Gail Caldwell
Thank you Agata for sharing the powerful quote! Creativity is a soothing balm that has the power to transform.
This is such a lovely process. Now that I am reminded of it I will create more!
Lynn, I hope you will send us photos of the talismans and amulets that you continue to create. Just send them to [email protected].
Thank you for the reminder/refresher of one of my favorite and most meaningful activities that you have taught us, Heidi! My mind is now whirling with the possibilities ahead. I will send pictures- soon.
Thank you Heidi for your thoughtful blogs. Seeing you have sent a post brings an automatic smile. Your ideas always provoke my inner artist to get out and get moving with intention and mindfulness. Renee
You are most welcome. I love stirring up that inner artist. May she bring you much insight and joy in the New Year.
Thank you 💫