As a designer, I know that working on an image gives me time to be reflective as I study and refine what’s in front of my eye. This night before Father’s Day, working on this photo of my dad,  my twin brother and me, I just let myself feel. It’s poignant to work on a photo of someone you loved so immensely and who’s been gone from your life for so long. Even though the memories fade in time, the love remains, accompanied by a small ache that you know will always be there.

I was so blessed to have this father of mine for 17 years. God bless the men who father the children of the world. We so need them.

I was just looking at cupcake jewelry, when I ran across this gorgeous Tiffany cupcake charm in white and yellow gold, encrusted in semi-precious gemstones. Price tag: $1500.
Do I love it? Oh yes. I think it’s beautiful. Will I ever buy it? Oh no. I don’t see me ever in a position to buy a little piece of jewelry for fun at that price.

Which brings me back to the title of this blog post

Years ago when I was newly married with barely two nickels to rub together, I used to look at beautiful things and wish so much I could have them. It was more than a “shopping bug” – I think my soul just craved beauty.  Of course I couldn’t spend money frivolously on things that had no practical function. That’s how I learning wood carving. I loved some of the wood-carved signs I saw at craft shows, and couldn’t justify buying one. I could, however, splurge on a class to learn how to do it myself.

Sometimes I want pretty things – like a Tiffany cupcake charm – and I can’t have them. So I design something, because I can do that. And then I hope that giving them away will bring a few extra sprinkles of  joy to someone else, which in turn adds an extra sprinkle of sparkle to my day.

So that’s why I do what I do.