Thanks for taking time to visit the blog.

I always have great intentions of posting more faithfully, but life gets busy.

As we move into Advent, I am making many Christmas cross orders.  For me, this is a time I spend in meditation and prayer, fashioning each cross and reflecting on the wonder of Christmas.  How amazing is our God of love, who turns everything upside down!

I love the story of the Nativity - truly it is about Emmanuel, God with us, in that tiny babe in the manger.  How wonderful to hear again the story of faith and trust, angels and shepherds, a guiding star.

It is such a privilege to make crosses, doves and all the other items that have been brought to me to do.  I know that they are a blessing to everyone who receives one.  I know they are a blessing to me as I make each one.  I pray that this simple ministry will bring our God of Love to people in a new way.

Have a blessed Advent and may the joy and wonder of Christmas ring in your heart.

+Deborah

Well, I don't know where time gets to.  Seems as though we were just welcoming the Spring flowers and here we are looking at trees shedding leaves again.

For me, it means more time at the worktable as orders come in for crosses and now, the Holy Spirit pendants.

I love to work with the clay.  Each one is a surprise, a little wink from God as I look to see if the swirls have created an image or interesting pattern.  Sometimes I am stunned by what presents!  Sometimes, the message of the piece isn't revealed until the coat of glaze brings out the undertones.

I just sent a round of email to schools across the country and parts of the US.  Many immediately bounce back and I receive some unsubscribes, but I send each with a prayer that the person who needs to see it, will respond.

That happens with most mailings.  I get a call or an email expressing relief at finding the crosses.  It doesn't surprise me because I believe what I do is ministry.

Selling these crosses and doves at $5 wholesale doesn't bring a lot of profit, if much at all.  It takes a day to make 100 crosses and another to glaze, put the jump rings on and package.  But to me, it is a way to send blessings to people whom I'll never meet.  As I work the clay, I bless and think of the joy each recipient will receive.  I feel this is sacred work. 

Sometimes a cross is so special that I reserve it and place it in a special gallery.  You may find one that you like here.

Blessings and enjoy this wonderful time of year,
Deborah

I must confess that I haven't made a batch of crosses for a few weeks, but supplies are now at the critical level.  It has been so busy with weddings and other business, that it is time to get back to making more for the back to school orders coming in.

I'm looking forward to setting up my table, popping in an old movie and just let the clay swirl in my hands, creating the beautiful images and patterns as if my some Divine touch.  Honestly, sometimes I look at the cross as I cut it out and I am awestruck by what I see.

So, for the next few days, I'll be with the clay.  It is such a peaceful and meditative thing to do.  I have received four orders in the last few days and for that I am very grateful.  I know that more are coming.

I have had such positive and wonderful feedback and reorders are now being planned.  How satisfying is this ministry!

Blessings,
Deborah

Since launching in February, I have had some interesting emails.  People want to know about me, and I guess that is natural.  There is so much scam and spam out there, it is important to establish that I am an actual person and the crosses are real.

I have had some checking out of my "pedigree" as clergy.  I have had a few nasty notes from fellow clergy who don't understand about the Old Catholics and have challenged my credentials.  I saw it as an opportunity to educate and enlighten about who I am and what I do... It wasn't that long ago that I was exploring the roots of the Old Catholics myself.

The thing is, it isn't about me.  It is about the Cross.  It is about the incredible gift it represents from our loving God.  I have discovered a very rewarding ministry making these crosses.

I do not make a lot of money.  After buying materials and especially the time invested to make them, selling at wholesale leaves very little profit.  I have some stunning crosses that will sell at a higher price.  It all comes out even.

This part month has been a whirlwind.  I did an order of crosses for a cursillo group in Louisiana.  Several orders went to schools across Canada for Grads.  And, teachers of Church School and Catholic Schools received tokens of thanks.

I have just sent out a large mailing inviting people to look at the website and consider making an order of Crosses for parish or school gifts.  I know that the Cursillistas love them and am anticipating a few more orders soon.  They also make a perfect fundraiser for a summer project. 

I will be making crosses  throughout the summer and also plan to design a pectoral version.  Thanks for checking in.  Enjoy the website.

I just shipped a very large order to St. Lawrence University in New York and the feedback has been very affirming.  They wanted some thank you crosses and also ordered a few graduate crosses.  Someone already makes crosses for the grads, but they wanted some back ups.

I think the crosses make a great gift for students - and teachers.  After working as a team for the year, it is nice to have it all pulled together with a token of faith. 

Churches have also been ordering - and Cursillo groups too.  I feel so blessed to make these unique pieces that offer comfort, support and affirmation to so many people.

And so, I'll be busy making more crosses today.  The roofers are here and I'll be blessing them as they pound overhead.  It should make for an interesting batch of crosses. LOL  

God bless you in your day and thanks for visiting!
+Deb

It's been a few months now since the launch of the Transformation Crosses.

At first, the idea was to offer a special cross to those going through tough times.  The design of the cross given to me was unique - crossbars echoing hands raised in surrender, offering, giving over and ultimately raised in thanksgiving and praise.

Then it was suggested that I offer them in quantity at wholesale prices to churches, schools, and groups.  That has been very well received.

And, now I am about to launch the Transformation Cross for various purposes - a cross for baptism candidates and sponsors/godparents, a cross for grads, a cross for mothers and grandmothers, a cross for breast cancer, a cross for those who are bereaved, a cross for church volunteers, a cross for Cursillistas, a cross to wear in support of our troops.... well, you get the idea.

The thing that I have discovered is how very much these beautiful pieces are appreciated.  And that means so very much to me as I create them with love and prayer.

Today I am adding pages to showcase the different crosses available.  The cross will be the same design, but the prayer on the card will be a supportive and loving prayer for the recipient.

One thing about serving our loving God; it is never boring!

Blessings,
Deb

Yesterday, I went to a lovely little town to take part in a Craft Sale. 

I have been sick all week and was really thinking I'd have to cancel, but packed everything up early Saturday and headed for the Legion in Smithville, Ontario.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect.  It was a beautiful Spring day and that could bring people out -- or it could mean they would be out in the garden...

The sale was not the busiest, but there were a few lovely folk who came to my table to look at the crosses and the Only Trust print.  They lingered over the spinner rack, enjoying the pins and the earrings and just spent time sharing about their lives.

One elderly woman looked at the crosses and was quite enchanted by the many patterns and colours.  She had a friend who was going through a tough time, she confided, and thought a cross would be a great little gift.  As she read through the words of Only Trust, she wiped away a tear. "This is beautiful,"she said quietly. "This person knows that God saw them through some hard times.  He's helped me so much too."

We talked awhile longer and she left, thanking me. She said she was so glad that she had come to the sale and that she felt better somehow.

I had the feeling that even though the sale was a bit of a bust, God had brought me there so that we could have that chance encounter and little talk.

Nothing happens by coincidence.  Thank you, God, for the small encounters that become a means to re-experience your love and your unlimited support.

I have met so many wonderful folks over the past few weeks.  A group from the ACW in St. Catharines came to visit and see the crosses, people from great distances have written, a church near Thunder Bay reported that the Crosses were a hit -- all good news indeed!

Over the weekend, I invited dozens of Roman Catholic schools to think about the Transformation Cross as a fundraiser.  What could be a more natural item to offer friends and relatives?  I think it would be a great experience for kids to offer the Cross to family members and hear what the Cross meant in their lives.  For the Faithful, the Cross is layered with meaning, a flashpoint for personal spiritual understanding.

It was the Easter experience that first drew me to the Story a little more keenly.  The disciples reaction and grief as Jesus was dying on the cross and their subsequent radical change in behaviour that first Easter morning.  There is something so compelling, so important in their action.. that was the beginning of my faith journey.  Without the Cross there can be no Easter.

So, I am hopeful that the school officials will take a peek at the School Fundraising page.  It seems to me to be a meaningful way in which to raise some monies.

Off to make some more crosses...
Deb