Alice Walker, A Poem Traveled Down My Arm

While writing the previous post about the Etsy treasury, I started flipping through A Poem Traveled Down My Arm. I was reminded of reasons that I love this book and Alice Walker's writing so much. I really need to read more of her books. I have several I haven't read yet, so I think I will read one of them next.

A Poem Traveled Down My Arm is an interesting book. It is filled with little poems and writings and drawings. I love to write quotes in cards, and there are so many great quotes in this one little book.

As I was flipping through the book, I came across one of my favorites, "What is a promise if not your hand in mine?" I started thinking about all of the meanings held in this one little sentence. It is so simple and profound. One thing it makes me think of is my nieces's hands in mine. My sister and I took them for a walk the other day and they had to hold our hands because we were walking along the street. Their little hands in mine were a promise...my promise to keep them safe and their promise to trust me to do so. Of course, there is also the obvious, romantic meaning; I don't feel like I even need to address that. It also makes me think of the promise of a friend's hand in mine, like when my grandpa died last summer, the promise of love and support, the promise that it's okay to cry. And it makes me think of the promise the last time I held my grandpa's hand, which was the last time that I saw him alive. It makes me think of how glad I am that I took his hand that day, no matter how briefly. I think back to all of the hands I've held and all of the various reasons, and I'm so glad that I've had so many hands to hold, so many who have held my hand, no matter how lengthy or how fleeting it was. And I'm thankful and happy for the hands that even now I still have the opportunity to hold.

Etsy Treasury

Sunday morning I waited patiently and got only my second Etsy treasury ever. I was inspired by one of my favorite Alice Walker books, A Poem Traveled Down My Arm, which is what I named the treasury. You can check out the treasury by clicking on the link or title of this post. I chose poetry-related items...some included poems, some were named after poems, and some just felt poetic to me. The treasury has gotten some nice comments. Several people have said it is the best treasury they've seen in a long time. I'm so happy that everyone likes it, and it has encouraged me to work hard to snag more treasuries. It helps a lot that I have a computer and internet access at home now (thanks to NB).

Of course, I never could have made such a beautiful treasury without the many talented artists and crafters selling their wares on Etsy. I had a few items in mind for the treasury that I had already seen. But I found lots of other lovely things when I searched for some more things to complete the treasury.

Crazy Autumn Art & Craft Show

The ShowMe Etsy street team is putting on our first show this week. The Crazy Autumn Art & Craft Show will be Thursday, October 16, from 5-9 pm at SqWires Annex in Historic Lafayette Square.

This show will be a great way to get holiday shopping done early. In addition to lots of vendors who have shops on Etsy, the show will also include special guest artists Big Small Town Designs and MFA students from the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University. This show will offer a little bit of everything, from fine art paintings and photography to unique jewelry to fiber arts to handmade cards and much much more.

In addition to all of this handmade art and craft goodness, there will be free cheese and crackers and a cash bar. Also, there will be a free raffle to win one of four gift baskets stuffed with handmade items made by the show participants. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to pick up one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts!