ARE YOU USING YOUR TALENTS?

I’ve been in the business of selling handmade pretties for many, many years now! And the two questions I am constantly asked over and over are “What do you like to do more, sew or paint?” and “HOW did you get started in this business?” Since I’m knee-deep in restocking that ever shrinking website (http://www.gatheryeroses.com/) of mine, I thought I’d make just a quick post today and answer those long running questions…

Talented women were all around me as a child and each one showcased a different artistic gift. I was so blessed to learn from each one and then live in a time when it was possible to sell my designs directly to the public. Had the Internet been available when I was a young girl my very talented mother would surely have used it as a way to help support her growing family. She remains the most gifted artisan I know.

Learning to sew wasn’t difficult for me…I mean, it was at first, but somehow I just “got it”, you know? I began to sew on my own when I was about 18 years old and pretty much never looked back. Frustrating for me at first, but little by little I learned the basics. Later on I enjoyed sewing clothing for my daughter and it was during her childhood, I believe, I really hit my stride. I’m not sure my girl owned a store-bought dress! Truthfully, I couldn’t afford the ones I wanted her to wear. So, I’d spend hours window shopping in fancy children’s shoppes and then scour the local fabric stores to find similar fabrics to sew-up what I’d seen. When the dresses were outgrown I’d sell them to other young mothers in our church and then buy more fabric to make more dresses….

Painting was and remains an entirely different calling! I didn’t really start to paint until I began selling my wares on eBay back in 2002. I actually wanted to paint for years before that…and I did, a little. But I dreamed of doing so much more! Sadly, I was just too afraid to try…afraid of failure, rejection and the humiliation I might face during the journey! You know~ all those things that keep us from strapping on our wings of faith and jumping off the edge of doubt? My fear of not being able to measure up kept me grounded for a long, long time…

I remember well the brisk winter morning when I decided to dive into the deep end! The water was cold and I struggled to learn how to swim amidst a sea of confusion. Being a self-taught painter I was absolutely clueless as to what I was doing! Once I reasoned past the worrying of what others might think, I swam on! I no longer wanted my fear of failure to keep me watching silently from the shore… Now when I look back at my very early work I just take a deep breath and well…then I take another deep breath! I had to start somewhere! Still, I can’t help but wonder how much farther I’d be down the river had I listened to the voice within me when it first started whispering “just try…just try…!”

You, too, have been entrusted with certain talents! Are you using them? If not, follow your dreams! Don’t let the visions, ideas and imaginative thoughts in your head remain at the water’s edge. God has given you many gifts! Your current skill set may be a training ground for the next phase of your life… Take a minute to ask Him about them…I’m quite sure He’d love to tell you in detail all He has planned for your life…

Blessings…Rebecca

PS: I lovingly thank the following forever friends: Carol B., Francy R, Linda B., Julie Z./S., Tanza W., Mary H., Denise A., Leslie M., Ruthie P.,Michele A. (how can I forget YOU?), Barbara V., Brenda, my Mom and my beautiful Adrie-Girl…and ALL the other lovely ladies who never grew tired of encouraging me to paddle away. When I said I couldn’t, you said I could…now I know all of you by heart…R