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As we transition from the cold embrace of winter to the budding promise of spring, it's natural to feel a stirring within, urging us to awaken from our hibernation. This period of renewal often prompts us to view our surroundings anew, noticing perhaps the imperfections and remnants of the past season – like a cracked foundation, a weathered flower pot, or those holiday decorations still awaiting storage.
In the spirit of restoration and rejuvenation, let's explore the art of Kintsugi. This beautiful practice involves mending broken objects with gold, not just restoring them but adding a unique charm and story. It's a process that symbolizes sustainability, beauty, and emotional healing.
Read through for a weekly inspiring prompt, learn more about Kintsugi on the blog, and find resources to dive deeper into this inspiring art form and philosophy.
Yours in gold,
Nicole C.
On the Blog: The Art of Kintsugi
Kintsugi, or “golden joinery,” is a centuries-old Japanese craft where broken pottery is mended with lacquer mixed with gold, silver, or platinum. Rather than disguising the breakage, Kintsugi highlights it, creating a new, unique piece that tells a story of resilience and beauty.
Kintsugi is not just an art form; it’s a philosophy. It teaches us that breakage and repair are natural, not shameful parts of the history of an object. This philosophy can be a powerful metaphor for the creative process. Often, our best work comes from the pieces of ourselves that we perceive as broken or flawed. Kintsugi encourages us to embrace these imperfections, to see them as a source of beauty and strength.
This week's creative challenge: Identify something in your home in need of repair.
Reflect on its significance – how long has it been neglected, and why have you kept it? Contemplate if and how you plan to restore it. Could this object be a metaphor for an aspect of your life? This exercise is perfect for journaling or sharing in our comments section. Let's embrace this opportunity to mend, create, and grow creatively.
“Your cracks can become the most beautiful part of you.” — Candice Kumai, Kintsugi Wellness: The Japanese Art of Nourishing Mind, Body, and Spirit
Resources to Dive Deeper:
My Modern Met: Kintsugi: The Centuries-Old Art of Repairing Broken Pottery with Gold
International Museum of Surgical Science: Healing Through Japanese Art
Start your own kintsugi repair process with kits readily found online. (affiliate link)
Sneak Peek for Weekly Prompts:
Paid Subscribers to Woo Your Creativity receive an additional 5 prompts to work through each week at their own pace and medium. Here’s one:
Hands-on Creative Prompt – "Literal Kintsugi": Take a broken object (a plate, cup, or any ceramic piece) and attempt an actual kintsugi repair. Use gold-colored glue or paint to mend it. While doing so, ponder the parallels between this physical act of repair and personal healing. Document the process through photographs or a time-lapse video, accompanied by a short narrative of your insights and emotions during the activity.
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