This is what it's all about.

Last week a customer contacted me on Etsy about making her a custom piece. She had seen my "Garden" Anglican rosary and wanted something similar for a friend of hers who is very ill. She wanted it to be an Irish penal rosary.

I had never heard of such a thing, but after some research, I found that all I really needed was some sort of ring. This was the hard part, as I did not want to go ahead and use a key ring that some other artisans use because of the raised edges on them. That wouldn't be pleasant to put on and off your fingers, especially for the sensitive skin of someone who is ill.

There were some brass things I looked at, and some silver rings, because she mentioned that she liked sterling silver. Nothing really seemed to work for either of us, though. Funny, then, that she mentioned possibly a wooden ring, because I had the same thought on the same day.

Anyway, I got the wooden rings, and they turned out to be just perfect for both of us. Here is a photo of the finished product that I shipped out today:


The thing is, while I was doing this, I felt a real sense of "rightness". That this is what is important in life -- to make something that holds real meaning for someone else. Of course while I was knotting this rosary together I said prayers for her friend, and I thought about the look of joy on his face as he would open the package. I thought of him lying ill, the rosary in his hand, praying and beseeching God.

I hope this rosary brings him healing and peace and joy and everything else that's good in this world, as much as a tiny item can, of course.

And that's what making rosaries, or jewelry, or any kind of art is all about -- the emotional connection between each of us, and the gifts from our maker.