When 6 of the 8 tiles I had painstakingly carved cracked in the bisque kiln, I was somewhat disappointed. I had expected to have them ready for the holidays. The patterns were wonderful; yet the cracks were certain to migrate through the pieces. I left them on my work table, wondering what to do.
An artist friend came into the studio, and we talked about the pieces that were less than perfect. What is it, I wondered, that makes an item a “second.” Could I embrace the crack as the nature of that particular piece?.
I began to think about the whole concept of perfection. We look at ourselves and question our hair, or our eyes or our body types. We look at our homes or our jobs or our families and compare them with what the dominant culture tells us is perfect.
Nature does not determine that an oak tree or a rock or a lake is less than perfect. Why do we as humans tend to put conditions on our environments, our relationships, our lives?
When Amish women make a quilt they intentionally make a mistake; mid-Eastern rug makers do the same. Only the gods are perfect. A finger mark or tiny crack on a hand-crafted piece is really the mark of the craftsman. It lets us know that the piece was made by a human, with all our imperfections, rather that a machine.
The mark of the craftsman does not detract from the beauty of the piece; rather, it enhances it, I think. And it is the challenges and experiences in life that give our lives texture and richness.
It is, I believe, time to let go of our notions of perfection, and embrace that which makes us human. Keeping that in mind, I wish us all an imperfect holiday.
These skilled hands wish you kind, happy, healthy, loving and peaceful days.
What a beautiful post, Debra. I wholeheartedly agree.
I was less than prepared for the holidays when my bout with my kidney stone began. My sister made it from Houston to Charlottesville Friday with the plan to finish her shopping on Saturday. She is now snowed in and can’t get off her mountain. As we spoke of our dilemmas, we decided the holiday would be less than perfect, but we’d both be the better for it. And so we will.
I’m sure your tiles are beautiful just the way they are.
Hugs to you this holiday season. May you have an imperfect holiday, too, though one that is safe, healthy and joyful.
Interesting post. Sorry about the cracks. Will they cause the tiles to break? So much to know. One of my prized possessions is a cobalt glass cookie jar. The dealer said North Africa, early 19th c. I figure Mexico, a hundred years later. What makes this piece so special to me is its very imperfections. The glass has some bubbles (don’t know why it didn’t break) and it’s got some waviness. I picture a young glass blower just learning his trade, and it makes me smile. So, see–a century or two down the road, someone will feel warm toward your “imperfect” tiles. Merry Christmas.
I´ve heard it before, and I love the idea of how craftsmen make an error in their creation on purpose, because only God is perfect. I don´t wish people a happy new year when I write my christmas cards, I wish them an interesting year filled with memorable moments. In a way, it´s kind of the same thing. So I will have an imperfect christmas, where the house isn´t sparkling clean in every corner, and you will have an interesting new year with joyful experiences. Deal?
I very much like what you said about perfection and imperfection. As an Artist I have made what I call a ‘mistake’ and often I embrace it because in fact, it gives the piece a different feel and mpre than not, one I like! I wish you a very imperfect Christmas too, my dear. And a Happy Birthday to your daughter!
You really touched me with this, Debra. Beautiful post.
And, an aside: While I’ve known about the Amish women (more Amish neighbors than not when we lived on the farm) and rug makers, it didn’t hit me until now that this IS the reason that there is a mistake in a rug that my mom gave to me. When still married and not long before he died, he gave it to her as a present. I have always treasured it, and this realization just makes is beloved.
Thank you for helping me to see what was in front of me all this time. xoxo
I needed this, too, Debra! This holiday week has been less than perfect in more than a few ways, but detours from Christmas perfection have forced me to slow down and spend more time just being there for members of my family. Funny how that works….
So beautifully and completely said. May we embrace the glorious imperfections that are our lives.
And don’t toss out the cracked tiles either! Imagine mounting them, puzzle-like, to highlight the ways they are apart and still form the idea of a whole. Just like us.
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Hay said,
December 20, 2009 @ 5:52 pm
Big love across the ocean, from one imperfect being to another. x
rudee said,
December 20, 2009 @ 6:20 pm
What a beautiful post, Debra. I wholeheartedly agree.
I was less than prepared for the holidays when my bout with my kidney stone began. My sister made it from Houston to Charlottesville Friday with the plan to finish her shopping on Saturday. She is now snowed in and can’t get off her mountain. As we spoke of our dilemmas, we decided the holiday would be less than perfect, but we’d both be the better for it. And so we will.
I’m sure your tiles are beautiful just the way they are.
Hugs to you this holiday season. May you have an imperfect holiday, too, though one that is safe, healthy and joyful.
Texanne said,
December 20, 2009 @ 6:20 pm
Interesting post. Sorry about the cracks. Will they cause the tiles to break? So much to know. One of my prized possessions is a cobalt glass cookie jar. The dealer said North Africa, early 19th c. I figure Mexico, a hundred years later. What makes this piece so special to me is its very imperfections. The glass has some bubbles (don’t know why it didn’t break) and it’s got some waviness. I picture a young glass blower just learning his trade, and it makes me smile. So, see–a century or two down the road, someone will feel warm toward your “imperfect” tiles. Merry Christmas.
spindelmaker said,
December 21, 2009 @ 10:12 am
I´ve heard it before, and I love the idea of how craftsmen make an error in their creation on purpose, because only God is perfect. I don´t wish people a happy new year when I write my christmas cards, I wish them an interesting year filled with memorable moments. In a way, it´s kind of the same thing. So I will have an imperfect christmas, where the house isn´t sparkling clean in every corner, and you will have an interesting new year with joyful experiences. Deal?
Terrie Farley Moran said,
December 21, 2009 @ 3:58 pm
Joy to the world! What a beautiful post. Terrie
ds said,
December 21, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
A most happily imperfect holiday to you, as well! Thank you for this beautiful and important reminder. Let it be.
OldOldLady Of The Hills said,
December 22, 2009 @ 2:31 am
I very much like what you said about perfection and imperfection. As an Artist I have made what I call a ‘mistake’ and often I embrace it because in fact, it gives the piece a different feel and mpre than not, one I like! I wish you a very imperfect Christmas too, my dear. And a Happy Birthday to your daughter!
Barrie Summy said,
December 22, 2009 @ 4:51 am
I did not know that about Amish women and rugs. And an imperfect season’s greetings to you!
poetikat said,
December 22, 2009 @ 3:40 pm
My best wishes to you and your family for a very Merry and Blessed Christmas! (Even if it is a little imperfect!)
Kat
Jodi Anderson said,
December 22, 2009 @ 11:21 pm
You really touched me with this, Debra. Beautiful post.
And, an aside: While I’ve known about the Amish women (more Amish neighbors than not when we lived on the farm) and rug makers, it didn’t hit me until now that this IS the reason that there is a mistake in a rug that my mom gave to me. When still married and not long before he died, he gave it to her as a present. I have always treasured it, and this realization just makes is beloved.
Thank you for helping me to see what was in front of me all this time. xoxo
Karen Carter said,
December 23, 2009 @ 11:50 am
I needed this, too, Debra! This holiday week has been less than perfect in more than a few ways, but detours from Christmas perfection have forced me to slow down and spend more time just being there for members of my family. Funny how that works….
Laura said,
December 23, 2009 @ 12:37 pm
So beautifully and completely said. May we embrace the glorious imperfections that are our lives.
And don’t toss out the cracked tiles either! Imagine mounting them, puzzle-like, to highlight the ways they are apart and still form the idea of a whole. Just like us.
Jeff Baker said,
December 23, 2009 @ 11:39 pm
As an imperfect guy (who first typed out “inperfect”) I appreciate the sentiments and mood of this column! Merry Christmas!