United Muses: Hand Made Heals. Does your muse heal?

 For Official Press Release click here




Yes Your Muse does heal - hand made heals - not only yourself but others. Art helps us form a deeper connection with our inner self – it gives us energy to discover the wonder inside us. Through this direct experience, we become enthusiastic, motivated to accomplish our inspirations and invincible towards its fruition. And when we create an object, we share that energy with others.

A hand-made object carries all the love, hope and inspiration of its creator, and, if a person is open and willing, can jump-start the process of healing.

Online Event November - December 20, 2010

Have you ever visited a women’s shelter? Have you ever lived in one? I personally have never lived in a shelter. Most of us will never see the inside of a shelter, but for many women, they’re home. A shelter is a haven of safety from a harsh life, a place for women to collect themselves and re-focus their lives around their own dreams.

But it’s hard to dream in a building with bare walls, threadbare sheets and practical, beaten-up furniture. It’s hard to dream when you’re struggling to meet your basic needs, let alone the need for hope and beauty.


An environment devoid of inspiration is an invitation for despair.


I believe the space you inhabit plays an integral role in healing hurt and rebuilding the spirit. Everyone is worthy of surroundings that nurture their spirit and allow their dreams to emerge. “Everyone wants to feel like they’re worthy, and almost no one does.” – Naomi Dunford.

Without attention to the spirit, there can be no true healing.

Online Event November - December 20, 2010

Terry Grahl of Enchanted Makeovers shares my vision, and she has devoted her life to transforming shelters into beautiful sanctuaries to uplift the human spirit and empower individuals from all walks of life to pursue their dreams. Terry is an award winning interior designer, and uses her unique talent for creating warm, comfortable spaces that heal and bring joy to women and children living in shelters. One of the ways she does this is by using all hand-made items from artisan created donations.

I believe hand-made items are important to the recovery process, and carry all the love and hope of the creator to those who need it most. Art possesses the power to heal – not only for its creator, but also for anyone who connects with the artwork.


Have you ever felt this while creating? Have your ever witnessed the awe and inspiration of another when receiving your creation? Or have you ever been overcome by inspiration while viewing others artwork?

Art helps us form a deeper connection with our inner self – it gives us energy to discover the wonder inside us. Through this direct experience, we become enthusiastic, motivated to accomplish our inspirations and invincible towards its fruition. And when we create an object, we share that energy with others.

A hand-made object carries all the love, hope and inspiration of its creator, and, if a person is open and willing, can jump-start the process of healing.

It is within these artistic moments, we awaken to who we truly are, discover what wants to be shared and cultivate the courage to claim it as our life.

Vincent Van Gogh spoke of this when he wrote the following to his brother Theo:
“Art is something, which, although produced by human hands, is not created by these hands alone, but by something which wells up from a deeper source in our souls.” Vincent Van Gogh - (letter R43)

I want to support Terry’s non-profit, Enchanted Makeovers, by donating a collection of beautiful hand-made holidays ornaments and need your support to make it a success.

Psst. Side Bar: A little back story first

I started creating these ornaments at the end of September with the intention of listing them on Etsy. I started to do just that, when a few days after posting the ornaments I found out about craft for a Cause.

While researching the list of organizations associated with craft for a cause, I found Enchanted Makeovers. Though Enchanted Makeovers did not make it to the final round I thought - why stop. I could give more if others were willing to unite with me and offer their help! It was then the idea of creating + completing a WHOLE collection of over 150 ornaments and donating them to Enchanted Makeovers was born.

The flame of inspiration lighted me! As this flame grew, I decided to redirect my efforts and intention to creating these ornaments solely for Enchanted Makeovers.

Wanna unite our muses and make this project a success? I'll share how in a moment, but first I want to express how this idea keeps expanding.

I'm not only asking for help in supporting this cause but I am offering my support to you as well. I truly know the power art + creativity has to heal and have no problem lending a healing hand! It's in me blood. That being said, I'm starting a monthly United Muses feature here on the blog.

I want to provide a space where you can showcase your Muses, what inspires you, insights you've cultivated, obstacles you've over come, joy you've shared, goals you have, and triumphs! It is my hope this space showcases not only your talent but cultivates the support your creative pursuits require to make them real - Let's unite our muses and together create magic! I'm sharing this now with you because the idea was inspired by Enchanted Makeovers.

The excitement surrounding this holiday project has just begun building and will carry us well into the coming year. If you want to be featured, send me an email so I can help.

End side bar

Online Event November - December 20, 2010

I want to give hand-made to those who truly need it. This hand-made inspiration and sparkle IS the holiday gift I am giving myself. My artsy mom wants to share in this gift as well and so, we are uniting our muses to make over 150 hand-made ornaments for Enchanted Makeovers, and I we really need your support to make this project successful.

The creative process involves several stages of transformation – like a caterpillar emerging from its chrysalis and becoming its destiny - a beautiful butterfly. Healing requires the same process; taking things one day at a time.

We want to contribute to transforming the lives of other women through art and hand-made objects. I intend for these glittery ornaments to find their way to those who need a sparkly reminder that anything is possible and someone cares.

I’m exited to help Enchanted Makeovers bring light and love to women and children’s shelters across the country. Is this something you could get excited about?

“To send light into the darkness of men’s hearts; such is the obligation of the artist” – Robert Schumann

Why Women’s Shelters?

As an artist and a woman who’s survived sexual assault, I know firsthand the healing power of art and inspiration. After my assault, I fell into a dark place of despair and hopelessness. Art provided a safe path for me to transcend the trauma. Beauty and creativity made me whole again.

Because of this experience, I’ve devoted my work to helping others. Through my creations, one-on-one sessions and this blog, I provide touchstones of inspiration and empowerment to those who desire to live the life they truly desire. Terry and I have that in common big time - helping others. I know a lot of you have shared with me your struggles and triumphs as well and are devoted to live your inspired life and helping others do the same - please share your pursuits in the comment section.

Terry has devoted her work to creating safe havens painted with inspiration and adorned with love. She empowers others to heal by establishing the perfect environment for healing – magically art filled spaces.

About the Ornaments

For a woman who feels she’s lost her family and herself, the holiday season can be a time of deep despair. A bright, sparkling holiday ornament can lift her spirit and restore hope to her heart.

Not all shelters will erect a Christmas tree, as that is a ritual for a specific religion. These ornaments can easily rest on a stand, decorate a shelf or table, or hang from the ceiling or under the bunk bed.

I create each ornament by hand, sculpting the details from polymer clay. Each piece is adorned with iridescent flakes, metallic sparkles or silver leaf. It takes two days to complete this process, to learn more about the concept and meaning click here.


What can You Do to Help?


It’s simple. There are THREE ways you can help.

1. Donate $14.50 and an ornament will be made in your name and given to Enchanted Makeovers. The donation will cover all the costs of creating and shipping each ornament.

If you can’t give $14.50, then you can give whatever you can afford via the Paypal Donate button below.

2. OR if you're local join us (me, my artist mother, rock-n-roll sister and all our Muses) here in Richmond, VA at our studio November 14 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm for a full-on day of creative fun helping us assemble the ornaments. I’ll have tea, treats, and glitter galore. No previous crafting skills necessary – I will have all the materials and instructions ready to go by then.

Online Event November - December 20, 2010

Just bring your creative spirit and kind heart, and together we’ll unite our Muses to bring a little holiday magic to a women’s shelter. Space is limited for this in house event (due to fire marshall codes - bummer) so please make sure you reserve your space now by contacting me via email.

3. Please spread the word on your blogs, Facebook pages and Twitter feed!

AND if you donate, help create ornaments or help spread the word, leave a link in the comments below so I can compile a list of all the wonderful artsy bloggers, local shops and artists who helped bring this project to life! I’ll be posting a “United Muses” gratitude page here on the blog with all your wonderful links.

Thank you for helping bring this idea to fruition and brightening up a women’s shelter over the holidays. This was a completely spur-of-the-moment idea and I think with your support we can pull it together in time. I’m already planning for next year and hope to do something bigger, better and more amazing, so let’s join together to give these women hope and inspiration in their lives.

Thank you so much for lending a healing hand! and don't forget to help spread the word via facebook and twitter! You can read or forward the Press Release to a friend by clicking here