Creativity and Nods to Commercialism: Hearts, Healing and Valentine's Day!

Most of the time, I just "do my own thing" because the primary purpose of my work is to function as a personal catharsis and meditation.

But, of course, I would like to sell some stuff, now and then...

Happy Accidents!

A few years ago, I accidentally dropped a fairly big "blob" of red paint into the center of a design I was working on. All I could think to do to "rescue" the work I had already put into the mandala on that stone was to turn the red into a heart.

Then I finished it, and tossed it into my "experimental" basket.

At the next arts and crafts show where we had a vendor booth, that accidental "Heart Stone" was the first thing we sold... it was late spring, and someone needed a Mother's Day present. The buyer even wanted to know "whether I had more."

No Eye-rolling!

I have long since stopped taking people's comments and ideas "personally," and instead seriously consider if there's a way to incorporate popular feedback into my designs.

Since then, I have periodically included hearts in designs, usually making a number stones with them ahead of each show we would attend... and typically selling most of them. Because the broader audience understands hearts, while they may not understands spiritual mandalas...

Of course, on account of Covid and lockdowns there are no art shows to go to these days, so at the moment I am engaged in putting my existing accumulation of heart stones into my Etsy shop, ahead of Valentine's Day... which is pretty much the ultimate "Hallmark Holiday."

Healing Our Hearts

I guess I don't mind too much... I just hope people are as willing to buy these online as they have been to buy them in person!

The Heart Stones have a very sweet energy, and while they are not as "magical and mystical" as many of my other designs, they do make a nice gift for a loved one.

Sometimes we just have to do what we have to do!

Thanks for reading, and have a great week!

Because I am trying to make some semblance of income — a living, even — I now add this footer to all my posts, in the hope that someone, somewhere, might decide to take a further look at my work, and perhaps consider supporting independent art.

Thank you, in advance, for your consideration and support!

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2021.02.04 AS-TXT-047/013