Explore this Life

Day 3 – Made to Matter: 13 Soulful Stories from the Studio

Day 3 – Made to Matter: 13 Soulful Stories from the Studio

There are pieces that arrive through my hands as if guided. I may begin with a scrap of paper or a trinket that catches my eye, but somehow the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. This paperweight was one of those sacred creations.

It began with torn vintage papers layered to resemble a tree line—soft and worn, like a memory you can almost reach out and touch. I tucked in an old pin of an elephant mother and calf, their trunks gently curved toward one another. That image stirred something deep in me: the weight of legacy, the gentleness of protection, the quiet strength of those who carry us when we can’t carry ourselves.

Just above them, I nestled a small moon charm, etched with the phrase “Explore this life.” A whisper. A permission slip. A call to wander, yes—but also a call to wonder.

This wasn’t just about aesthetic. It was about intention. About anchoring memory into something you can hold in your hand. Paperweights might seem old-fashioned to some, but I see them as soulful anchors—pieces that say, “Be here. This matters.”

These paperweights are little stories without names. They live in the in-between—part relic, part offering. I make each one with care, not just for the materials, but for the life I imagine it landing in. I don’t always know whom I’m making it for. But I trust that when the right person finds it, she’ll know. She’ll say, “There you are. I’ve been looking for you.”

This one was layered with love, devotion, and curiosity. An invitation to slow down, to remember where you’ve been—and to keep exploring, with both courage and tenderness.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” — Helen Keller

“The moon and stars to rule by night, for His mercy endures forever.” — Psalm 136:9 (NKJV)

A Question to Carry With You:

What object in your life carries a story you're still unfolding? What would it say if it could speak?