The Story of Touchstones

By fromskilledhands ( December 29, 2009 at 9:52 am) · Filed under Giveaway, 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.

Peace touchstone.

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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It’s the Only Way: A Wordless Wednesday Post

By fromskilledhands ( July 8, 2009 at 12:07 am) · Filed under Peace, Wordless Wednesday, ,

Bures Pottery Peace touchstone

Peace

Peaceful Warrior

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Playing for Change

By fromskilledhands ( April 28, 2009 at 8:04 am) · Filed under Caring, Change, Peace, Playing for Change, , ,


Playing for Change Playing for Change is a pretty amazing thing. Folks from all over this fine blue planet playing music. Being the change, one song at a time.

It is what we, as citizens of the world can do, united in peace by music.  Just. Like. That.  No boundaries or nationalities.  Sharing the vision. One song at a time.

Mark Johnson is the man with the original vision. Others shared it. Take a look at the video posted below. You’ll hear the story, and some mighty fine music.

Tomorrow: Bloggers Unite

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