Image courtesy of Amanda Blair Dexheimer
Last weekend I attended (MAKE)R Weekend, hosted by my friend, Mandy. Mandy is an unbelievably talented artist who creates the most stunning ceramic creations. In addition to her talent as an artist, what sticks out about Mandy is her soul. You can see it in her work, read it in her writing, and the words she speaks.
In Mandy’s words, this is how (MAKE)R started and what it is all about:
“It was several years ago that the idea for [MAKE]R was brought to my heart by God. Women, needing inspiration, prayer, encouragement, and a weekend away from it all. As women we rarely stop. We give, and give, and pour out and take care (as we should) but sometimes the tank never gets replenished. There is only one true replenisher. And as He laid it on my heart to share my home, invest in and pray for this day that would come, He began to show me the way to making it happen. So here we are. One weekend in October and our Lincolnville abode is flooded with the most intensely creative and passionate women I have the privilege of sharing friendship with. We are going to relax, pray, worship and fill our cups up so that we can go back into the world and love and serve. Creativity and prayer are the two central themes for the weekend.”
After I read about the weekend, I knew this is something I would benefit from. Even though it was totally out of my comfort zone to spend two nights away from my family with people I didn’t know, for some reason, I knew I should do it. And I am so glad I did. Sometimes you just need to go out of your little box of routines, so that you can glean new perspective, and really, just open your mind up to new thoughts.
In addition to prayer, reflections and some great music, we spent most of the time participating in a variety of crafting workshops. There was a very loose structure, which was perfect to allow you to spend as much time as you wanted in a particular area. There are so many times I am in the mood to craft, paint, or design something, but lack of time or the actual materials I need are usually not available. Not the case this weekend! Supplies and time all there to relish in!
Below are just a few snapshots from the (MAKE)R Weekend:
Patty taught a workshop on making the most precious boxes out of any type of paper. Once you start making them, it becomes addictive, and you start thinking of a million ways you can use them!
Working with our hands allowed time for conversation and getting to know each other.
More creatives making boxes while sharing stories about their families and lives back home.
Peggy’s workshop featured a technique to creating your own fabric creations. Almost like a collage onto a fabric, which you could then turn into limitless options.
Mid-way through the process, as Peggy combined shapes, patterns and textures.
