• Make
  • Cook
  • Read
  • Think
  • My Story

created for joy

~ make today

created for joy

Tag Archives: history

Hope Collection

30 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by createdforjoy in Make, Think

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Bible, collection, encouragement, faith, history, hope, paper craft, past, printers tray, specimen tray, verses, vintage

tray03

I am a collector by nature. Not of anything obvious or mainstream, like stamps or rare coins, but of the things that inspire me: vintage valentines, old books and photographs, tiny resin flowers, and Japanese glass beads. I have a pair of antique opera glasses that thrill me with their aged mother-of-pearl, enamel, and brass, and the single-word inscription Paris. I have tucked away fall leaves that look as if each one was hand-watercolored, bits of wool and velvet ribbon, a handful of board game pieces smoothed and worn by the fingers of children who could easily have been my grandparents. None of them bear much monetary worth, but measured in sentiment and beauty, they have great value to me.

When I set out to make a birthday gift earlier this month for one of my dearest friends, I thought a lot about the items I have collected and what they mean to me. She is also a lover of history who understands how a connection to the past can give you steadier feet in the present. We have both had our share of challenges recently and discovered that there is great faith and hope to be found in the midst of pain and loss. I set out to build her a collection of items that symbolize hope to me, then give them words — a sort of visual and spiritual scavenger hunt.

tray04

The container itself is a printer’s tray, sometimes also called a specimen tray, depending on whether you lean more toward bibliophile or biologist. I filled it with the kinds of things I think someone might make and collect over a lifetime, a very personalized sort of natural history museum: rocks and feathers, shells and dried flowers, bits of embroidery and handmade paper snowflakes.

tray05

Underneath each smaller box is a Bible verse that links directly to the item above, so that each little compartment hides a secret message of encouragement. My hope is that after reading the verses a few times, just seeing the pieces of the collection will be enough to call to mind the words behind them.

tray07

tray06

tray08

The most challenging task in the whole project was covering each of the 21 inner boxes, ranging in size from 1-1/2″ squares to 3″x6″ rectangles, with a half dozen layers of tissue paper, cardstock, and sealant. The vintage text and rich green, purple, and mustard are much more visually appealing to me than its original gray craft paper covering. It was detailed, time-consuming work, but it gave me plenty of time to plan the contents and verses. As is often the way with this kind of artwork, I was definitely blessed and encouraged myself by the process of creating it.

tray09

Follow created for joy on WordPress.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Search

Recent Posts

  • Almond Butter and Jam Cookie Sandwiches
  • Bacon and Egg Breakfast Muffins
  • Loving the Kitchen
  • Creamy Chicken Noodles
  • Double Chip Molasses Oatmeal Cookies

Categories

  • Cook (48)
  • Easy-Peasy (3)
  • Make (37)
  • Read (24)
  • Think (20)

Archives

  • October 2013 (1)
  • March 2013 (1)
  • October 2012 (1)
  • August 2012 (6)
  • July 2012 (4)
  • June 2012 (7)
  • May 2012 (4)
  • April 2012 (6)
  • March 2012 (6)
  • February 2012 (9)
  • January 2012 (14)
  • December 2011 (15)
  • November 2011 (17)
  • October 2011 (6)

All original content © Spring Barnickle, Create Joy LLC, & createdforjoy.com, 2011-2014.

Feel free to link to createdforjoy.com or provide excerpts with clear credit and directions to original content; please ask before copying posts or pictures to your site or publication.

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • created for joy
    • Join 96 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • created for joy
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar