The Story of Touchstones
So now I will tell you the story of the Touchstones. It was just before 9/11. I had been holding a piece of porcelain in my hand, musing about it’s texture and how it felt. It was like a stone. I rolled it into a comfortable form, and picked up a tool that I use for carving the tiles. I began to write words on the stones. No thought, just action. I rubbed colorants into the carved areas, like I do with the tiles, and fired the pieces.
These little pieces were like those that people all over the world hold: worry stones, beads and stones, and the like. It seemed that in the business of daily life, we—-I—-often lose track of things that I need to remember. These little pieces of porcelain were touchstones—-reminders—–to pay attention. I carry them in my pocket, and as I handle them, they help me remember.
A year after 9/11, I was in the studio. A couple came in. They were from New York City. We started talking. They were planning on walking, with a group of bagpipers, at dawn, from Battery Park to the place we now know as Ground Zero. The woman wanted to buy a touchstone that had PEACE on it. I gave her a dozen and a half or so, and asked her to pass them on.
A week or so after that, I received an email from a man who had been given one. He wrote that he had been in his office near the Twin Towers on September 11, and that receiving a touchstone was a life affirming experience—a connection with others who cared.
I continue to make them, on and off, when the time seems right to me. We sell them at our gallery in the Village of Peninsula, and I give them away when it is what I need to do. And that, my friends, is the story of touchstones.
As always, feel free to leave a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by. If you choose to leave a comment, I will enter you in a drawing for a touchstone.
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patti said,
December 29, 2009 @ 10:16 am
husband was a few blocks from the world trade centers when they went down. he was unable to get off the island to come home for almost a week. the entire time he was gone, i would take a walk on a trail near our house and on the first day i saw a small round rock and picked it up. before each walk, i would pocket the rock before heading out. during the walks and afterwards, during those long days, that rock was usually with me and got mindlessly rubbed inbetween thumb and fingers as i prayed. i still have that rock. to any one who would see it, it’s just a smooth rock. to me it represents a physical manifestation of prayers and blessings that kept me with husband until he returned to us. we were one of the lucky ones and have never forgotten that.
you continue to make me smile in your tenderness of heart and your extraordinary generousity. so happy i count you as friend. god’s blessings to you and yours.
rudee said,
December 29, 2009 @ 1:20 pm
What a beautiful story, Debra. I still have mine, and now they mean a little more. Thanks.
Kim Ayres said,
December 29, 2009 @ 3:39 pm
(o)
OldOldLady Of The Hills said,
December 29, 2009 @ 6:17 pm
I have a plateful of ‘stones’ with words on them that sits in my Living Room and four stones on my Bedside Table. I remember giving my mother a ‘touchstone’ when she was quite ill, and in fact, dying—I thought it might be of some comfort to her to hold it and feel the smoothness of it. That was back in 1965! So ‘touchstones have been a part of my life for a long time and I LOVE them. And I love that you gave so many away to people who might need their comfort…The whole idea of ‘touchstones’ is such a beautiful one, Debra.
Wishing A VERY VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR to You & Yours, Debra.
Karen Bott said,
December 30, 2009 @ 8:49 am
My daughter would love to make touchstones. I can’t wait to show her your blog. (o)
spindelmaker said,
January 1, 2010 @ 6:19 am
What a nice story to hear, about the touchstones. The name has a very good double meaning. You can touch it, and be touched by it
It does mean so much when you get comments of gratitude from people you don´t even know. That has happened to me a couple of times too, and I cherish those memories.
Lisa Kenney said,
January 1, 2010 @ 1:24 pm
(o)(o)(o)(o)(o)
Lana said,
January 1, 2010 @ 4:05 pm
That post was just wayyy too cool. Thanks for sharing & kudos to you.
ds said,
January 3, 2010 @ 2:31 am
(o)
Gilz said,
June 24, 2010 @ 2:50 am
I was over at Kim’s blog when I fell in love with your touchstones. So I had to come and visit.
Not only do I love the concept, but I love the story behind how you started making them and that you only make them when you feel the time is right. It means a lot of energy have gone into these little pieces of art. I just love them!!
Brilliant idea.