Homemade

From the annual Gingerbread Showcase 2019 themed
'Building a Diverse Community'
presented by Habitat for Humanity

Arts and crafts abound at Christmas time. Although they seem hidden throughout the year, they spill out from homes in droves in summer and fall at Farmer’s Markets and festivals. But at Christmas time they really strut their stuff. Churches, community groups and schools. Anywhere that requires not only an injection of funds, but a celebration of Christmas past and present on display. All for admiring and of course for sale. I’ve not attended one this year, but will be looking for homemade soaps and hand made wooden toys. What else? Paintings ~ acrylic, watercolour or oil. Crocheted or knitted sweaters. Pottery and wall hangings that hold plants or are just beautiful. From macrame to quilting. From soaps to candles to vinegars and oh my……the baking! Delicious homemade breads and pies, muffins and candies. Sadly, I’ve missed most of the fairs here in Victoria, but there are one or two left. If I’m quick I may be able to get to one. If I was to go farther outside of Victoria or up island, there are more. 

Arts and crafts are much more than hobbies to fill time and draw dollars away from bank accounts. They involve loving works of creativity and dedication from many hands, hearts and minds filled with creative spirit. Crafting is not to be taken lightly, even though it is fun. It requires patience and precision. Arts are the way our souls sing ~ expressions of what only the mind of the artist can see. Arts and crafts, with even the smallest connection to home and amid the soft chatter of a market, are blessings we all can enjoy. Arts and crafts bring home and community together.

“Handmade and heartfelt; Harriet wanted everything she did to be like this.”

~ Helen Oyeyemi, Gingerbread