clay envelopes: public displays of affection
Since I was a child, I have always had a favorite box. At one point, it was a perfectly square and well-shaped cardboard one. At another time, it was a wooden one that a vase had come in. And now, it is an old tin chocolate box.
Inside this old tin chocolate box, I hold pieces of my heart and mind.
Birthday cards, notes, printed pictures, my favorite stickers.
Pieces of paper that hold so much importance for one reason or the other.
The contents remind me of all the love in my life, the people that keep my head tall, the reasons I stay inspired and growing.
However, I am grateful that this old tin chocolate box can barely hold much more, and I have had to resort to storing cards, notes, pictures, and such in other locations. In gifted paper bags, in my shelves, in between book pages. So I thought, how beautiful would it be to display them in a way that I could be reminded of them as I walk through life. Public displays of affection, one might say.
I sat down and took much inspiration from the pictures I saw on Pinterest, and I made envelope wall hangings (from air dry clay of course).
The clay I had was old and cracked easily, but I persisted.
I rolled out the clay until it was not too thick, not too thin, just right. It took me a few attempts because the thickness is very important to be not too heavy to fall but thick enough to carry small items.
Then, I attempted to cut out a perfect square. I am not the best at estimating symmetry, so it was a little wonky but oh well, we persist.
Next, fold. This part was fun.
After, let it dry.
And then, do what you want. Paint or don’t paint. Use a glaze or not. Hang it up or leave it. Put things in or leave it alone.
But for my own purposes, I painted, glazed, hung, and placed a cherished item in it.
Although, I do not think one cherished item will be in it for very long. Instead, I will attempt to admire many and all of my cards, notes, pictures, and such as I walk through my days.
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