My Talents
A talent is just a natural aptitude or skill. Everyone has a talent. That does not mean we are all Einstein, Michelangelo, Edison, or Oprah. We don’t have to be a child prodigy or wunderkind. We are all good at something, even if we don’t find out about it until later in life. Laura Ingalls Wilder was 65 when she first published Little House in the Big Woods. Henry Ford was 45 when he created the Model T. Vera Wang didn’t design her first dress until she was 40. And the famous Grandma Moses began her painting career at 78.
If you’ve read some of my other posts, you will know that I am a creative geek. I’m kind of a Jill of All Trades. I was a computer programmer and technician, and I play clarinet and ukulele. My passion, though, is creating things with my hands. I remember making my first clay sculpture in 3rd grade and I was hooked. It was a little monster that was basically a pinch pot bowl turned upside-down with feet glued on and beady little eyes. In 7th grade, I took woodshop and made the obligatory cutting board, but I also made a 3-tiered plant stand, and a planter box shaped like a reindeer. All throughout junior high and high school, I took whatever arts and crafts related classes they had.
After I got out of the Navy, I worked for a while in a craft store. I didn’t make much money, so I couldn’t afford to buy lots of supplies, but I worked out a deal with the owner to make display samples. He would provide all the supplies and then he got to display in his store whatever I made. This way I got my craft fix and it didn’t cost me a thing. I didn’t get to keep the things I made, but I got to see them every day at the store. My favorite was a dream catcher that I made from this huge grapevine wreath. It was as big as a hula hoop! I also took my first oil painting class. It was from a Bob Ross trained instructor and was held at the YMCA.
Later, I went back to college to get my BFA in Art with the intention of teaching art. I took sculpting, basket weaving, graphic design and painting. Once I started working for the VA, I continued taking classes at Joanne’s or Michaels. I even went to several of those Painting with a Twist classes and took a class on jewelry making.
Confucius said, “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I love making art and handicrafts. Once I retire from the VA, I will be taking my part-time business and making it my full-time life.
HootOwl Handicrafts 