Kindness shared is heaven’s art that softens life and warms the heart. Author unknown.
Being a founding member of SedonaKind has allowed me to work with so many great women (and a few men too) over the past seven years. What I have discovered is that each and every one of us are artists in our own way. I have been amazed by the creativity, tenacity and giving spirits of all of you!! Please pat yourselves on the back for all you’ve helped us to accomplish.
Webster’s Dictionary and Google both agree with me regarding the varied meanings of art… Even Kindness is listed as an art! Here are just a few others that you may not have thought of:
1. A skill acquired by experience, study or observation, such as the art of making friends.
2. Decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter.
3. The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.
My talents do not exemplify the many professional artists, writers, videographers, poets, puppeteers, singers, seamstresses, knitters, sculptors, community volunteers, speakers, instructors, teacher’s helpers, etc. that make up our fabulous group. I admire each and every one of you!
Personally, I fall into the category of a crafter and it gives me great joy to both create and give away my creations. I feel that crafting is supplemental to all our projects and obviously desirable as we always have more volunteers than needed sign up for Operation Special Delivery and our fundraisers. Beyond those obvious to us, what about the craft of creating life-saving masks and dresses, spirit-lifting lapaghans, joy-producing hats, and kindness-promoting charms? Isn’t it a craft when Gail creates such a beautiful website, or Jawn word crafts our newsletters and Heather our press releases and Wish List entries? And, for those of you willing to stand up before crowds to speak or entertain… I can’t think of it as anything but a craft… and a gutsy one at that!
Everything we do seems to combine one or more crafts unto itself… even those that aren’t so obvious as designing, creating, and marketing benches, chimes, garden art, fairy wands, etc.….Even if it’s just a homemade card tucked in a Veteran’s Blessing Bag or Hope House caddy; a Box of Love given to someone in need; table decorations for Veteran’s breakfasts, along with the casseroles provided; a puppet show or reading to the kids; shopping for just the right clothing for the homeless children; creating thought provoking Gratitude Trees and takeaways to the kids at school or the library; Teas given to express our caring spirits; filling Doggie Blessing Bags. I could go on and on. Just look at the recap list that was recently submitted to the RRN, or videos, newsletters and essays that can be found on our website. Even the presentation of a movie involves choosing just the right movie, an introduction and decorated tables.
It’s all of the above that brings us donations from Bombas, Penszys and KIND Bars. Other local groups want to partner with us as they see the results we are capable of. Crafting comes in many formats and I personally am very proud of the group and projects we have crafted. Thank you all.
Sandy Brandvold
Webster’s Dictionary and Google both agree with me regarding the varied meanings of art… Even Kindness is listed as an art! Here are just a few others that you may not have thought of:
1. A skill acquired by experience, study or observation, such as the art of making friends.
2. Decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter.
3. The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.
My talents do not exemplify the many professional artists, writers, videographers, poets, puppeteers, singers, seamstresses, knitters, sculptors, community volunteers, speakers, instructors, teacher’s helpers, etc. that make up our fabulous group. I admire each and every one of you!
Personally, I fall into the category of a crafter and it gives me great joy to both create and give away my creations. I feel that crafting is supplemental to all our projects and obviously desirable as we always have more volunteers than needed sign up for Operation Special Delivery and our fundraisers. Beyond those obvious to us, what about the craft of creating life-saving masks and dresses, spirit-lifting lapaghans, joy-producing hats, and kindness-promoting charms? Isn’t it a craft when Gail creates such a beautiful website, or Jawn word crafts our newsletters and Heather our press releases and Wish List entries? And, for those of you willing to stand up before crowds to speak or entertain… I can’t think of it as anything but a craft… and a gutsy one at that!
Everything we do seems to combine one or more crafts unto itself… even those that aren’t so obvious as designing, creating, and marketing benches, chimes, garden art, fairy wands, etc.….Even if it’s just a homemade card tucked in a Veteran’s Blessing Bag or Hope House caddy; a Box of Love given to someone in need; table decorations for Veteran’s breakfasts, along with the casseroles provided; a puppet show or reading to the kids; shopping for just the right clothing for the homeless children; creating thought provoking Gratitude Trees and takeaways to the kids at school or the library; Teas given to express our caring spirits; filling Doggie Blessing Bags. I could go on and on. Just look at the recap list that was recently submitted to the RRN, or videos, newsletters and essays that can be found on our website. Even the presentation of a movie involves choosing just the right movie, an introduction and decorated tables.
It’s all of the above that brings us donations from Bombas, Penszys and KIND Bars. Other local groups want to partner with us as they see the results we are capable of. Crafting comes in many formats and I personally am very proud of the group and projects we have crafted. Thank you all.
Sandy Brandvold