Creating a Talisman for Your Dreams
20 Jan 2011 13 Comments
I came up with an idea for myself the other night, something that would help me stay on track this year and I thought other people might want the same thing for them.
So I summed up what I want to achieve. I created this coin and I’ll carry it with me. For some people it might be kept in the pocket, purse, backpack, wallet, diary, Moleskine. That’s where I keep mine when I go out. I keep it visible on the desk when working at home.
These are intense words for me. Powerful because I am a procrastinator and have been with the majority of things my entire life. Much of last year I spent breaking through this horrible, life-stealing habit. This year I want more. I have become GREEDY for life. This year I want everything.
What do you want to achieve this year? Is it the year you drop fifty pounds? Is it the year you go back to school? The year you step out of your comfort zone and grow?
Think of what you want to achieve, think of a powerful word and create your own talisman. Or let me, lol. I would obviously love to do it for you.
The point of blogging about this isn’t to sell something, it’s to move at least one person in the world. It’s to get someone thinking, “What do I really want out of my life and what can I do about it this year? This month? This day? This hour? This moment?”
THE POWER OF THE TALISMAN:
There is a big part of me that loves a good talisman. For those that don’t know just what a talisman is: it’s an object believed to have some sort of power.
But to me this isn’t sorcery or Disney World magic. To me a talisman is the physical representation of all that is divine inside of you, all that is miraculous or creative or lucky or romantic.
Whatever part of you that you hold dear (perhaps you have great ability to read people or maybe you’re just really good at finding pennies heads’ up) you can have a talisman for. This is great when you’re feeling down or depressed or out of your element. Remind yourself that you are divine, that time is short, that there is something of a miracle inside of you: you only have to act to create.
It’s the necklace your grandmother gave you that you wear every day because you believe it’s good luck. Maybe it’s your grandfather’s class ring you wear as a dreadlock bead. Maybe it’s the keychain made of computer parts or your first car’s gear shift knob that you carry from car to car.
Whatever you know you feel in your heart but need reminding of, that is what a talisman is for. To release that power that you hold inside. Find the power you want to have within yourself. Then create a talisman for that power as a reminder. And keep it with you until you need it no longer.
Jan 22, 2011 @ 10:57:30
Rebecca–
This is a great idea! And I’m so glad to see that you’re blogging. It’s wonderful to share your art and your process with others.
After some thought and some sleep, I’ve thought of a word–a name, really. This is good, because, “Perfect Killer” would take a lot of explanation if anybody else were to see it.
But by putting my husband’s name on a coin, I can remember moment-to-moment that I’m supposed to be pulling some of this plow, too. It’s not just his to pull, and it’s not an insignificant burden.
The alternate word would be “car payment.” No kidding. Hey, we all take inspiration from different places because we need it for different things.
Great job–love the site, and I’ve always been very happy with the jewelry you’ve made for us.
TX
Jan 22, 2011 @ 18:35:33
I am! I took your advice and blogged about a piece, lol! I put down into words why this was so special and I think it’s what made my mom like it so much.
Why not PERFECTION KILLER? I could do a spiral with it. But then I like your husband’s name too! And I agree with you on “car payment”. I have two bills that I have yet to cover with my jewelry and it’s part of my motivation to push past the procrastination.
Jan 24, 2011 @ 02:07:32
Hello! Arrived via your mom’s site to look at the coins – then was totally distracted by your hair! Love it!
My hair is [very] curly and I’ve thought about trying dreads for years. Don’t think my (conservative) employer would appreciate it much, but if (when!) I get out of the employed-by-someone-else routine, it’ll be purple, teal, dreads, or all three.
A couple years ago, I had mine in tiny braids for a week – so comfortable and airy compared to the curly mass I normally have. Took them out when I realized that if I didn’t, pronto, I would have unintentional dreads. As it was, it took me hours to completely detangle. (For comparison, I braid my daughter’s straight hair in the same tiny braids, but after a week, it takes just minutes to undo.)
Jan 24, 2011 @ 10:35:23
Shawna, I’m glad you like my hair! Lol, my mom doesn’t at all, but eh, what are moms for but to disapprove of the weird things their new generation is doing? She’s got my back on most everything else, so it’s no biggie
You’ll have to join Flickr and when you make your dreads, post pictures!! If you want I can send you links to the groups I am in. They’re great now and they were great before I had dreads for inspiration and learning.
I wish I could find someone around here that wanted them. I really want to do them for someone!
I was a little spoiled when I first got my dreadlocks. I was the “baby” in an office of people that were all at the very least 20 years older, most being around 40 years older and they were all very attached to me because I wasn’t a typical 20 year old (to them this meant irresponsible, flaky and generally lazy with work). So even though it was a place that they wouldn’t want dreads because of all of the ridiculous assumptions, they put up with my hair. And I didn’t ask, lol, I just did. My mother raised a stubborn free spirit. My thoughts were basically “They pay me for the work I do not to look a certain way, they don’t pay me for my hair, they’ll live.” I guess it didn’t hurt that I went above and beyond my job duties as well and they didn’t want to risk a confrontation hurting my work ethic, lol.
Jan 26, 2011 @ 00:04:54
I love your intention coins – what a fabulous idea! I found my way here via your mom’s site and would love to get one of these for my daughter, I just need to figure out the perfect word(s) to put on it. I’m sure it’s best if she could pick out her own words but she’s in a bad place right now.
I’ve got your Esty page bookmarked.
Jan 26, 2011 @ 09:41:19
Laurie, I hope you entered the contest. I am sorry that your daughter is in a bad place. I was there recently and if it wasn’t for my mother and husband I know for a fact I wouldn’t be where I am mentally and emotionally right now.
Take your time, the right words can be better than gold. And maybe you’ll win one!
Feb 19, 2011 @ 12:11:10
heyya!
great blog you got going on here!
came here via ur mom’s site!
the talisman thing is a VERY good idea – i would buy one, but I’m totally broke. also my parents won’t allow me to buy anything online. =\ but how do you make one? as in what are the materials used??
Feb 19, 2011 @ 12:30:36
Thanks so much for the interest! I can understand where your parents are coming from. Until I turned 18 and had my own job, I wasn’t allowed to either
I make them from nickel, sterling silver and copper plates that you can buy from Michaels or other craft stores. They are much cheaper online though. You also use a hammer, a bench block and letter stamps.
It’s really not hard, it just takes practice to hit the stamps just right and to learn how much you can get on a coin
Feb 22, 2011 @ 12:23:02
wc!
oh. the silver may be a li’l expensive…. well, I’m saving up!
i’ll try the letter stamps thing – it’ll prob be easier – ish.
lol, hw bout i invite a few friends over and we do it together? i think it’ll be fun. xD
thank you for the advice! <3
Feb 22, 2011 @ 13:04:29
That does sound like fun. I never really had any crafty friends, so I missed out on that. You should remember to take pictures of you guys during your crafting party
Have fun and if you have any pieces feel free to show me!
Feb 26, 2011 @ 06:59:23
well, my friends aren’t particularly crafty, but we’re all willing to try something new!
yes, we’ll surely take pictures and show you!