The Church of St Mary of the Angels Christmas Craft Market is a celebration of creativity. The selection of artisans present a fascinating array of handmade wares and the warm reception of the parishioners inspire me to keep making, and sharing.

The one item I was most taken by this year is the Pocket Shrine by @deckleedgesmake, a design masterpiece to encourage prayer anywhere. The rectangular fabric pouch folds out into a shape of a cross to display medals and prayer cards, making it mini portable altar. Light and nifty, this can be taken on travels, and to very quickly and assemble a prayer space in one’s hotel room.

 

On my part, I am grateful for the platform available to me to promote my second book: To Be What We Are: Devotional Art Inspired By The Psalms. I had launched sales of my first book, The Way Of The Cross With St Joseph: A Virtues-Based Personal Devotion For Healing and Reconciliation the previous year at the market, and I knew fromn the interactions then that novel spiritual reading material would be well-recived. This new book features twenty of my favourite paintings from the series of 150 paintings I created in response to praying the book of the Psalms. The abstract paintings are a visual prayer, revealing what words alone cannot express. I enjoyed speaking to visitors about the practice of visio divina, encouraging them to introduce a new method of prayer through image and reflection questions as means a to grow in relationship with the Lord. Both books can be purchased,  contact me.

Another new aspect of my stand this year was the display of my stained glass wares. The intention was to light the area but the lampshade garnered significant attention and was promptly sold. The dove design represents the Holy Spirit, who will no doubt bring light and inspiration to the family enjoying the lamp. The kaleidoscope also proved to a fun, conversation starter. To follow my stained glass journey, keep in touch @strokes_of_the_spirit

 

Till next year, thank you for the support!