It arrived on Wednesday. A good day for unwrapping the much needed necessary of my weary heart. A little,
peace …
for the journey.
Not long ago, I ran across an artist’s work that immediately captured my attention and my appreciation. Her name is Lisa Leonard, and like all true artists, she sees the world through a unique set of lenses.
As image bearers to the Master Artist, we share his capacity for creativity. Our Father fashioned our flesh with a bent toward creative expression. All of us…every last one of us…are artists. We paint stories with…
Our words. Our writings. Our music. Our cooking. Our acting. Our dance. Our paintings. Our teaching. Our leadership. Our singing. Our speaking. Our conversations. Our silence.
No one escapes the need for expression, for within each one of us is the impulse of our creative God. He placed our lives upon this earth to put voice to a story … his story. And somewhere within the telling, he hopes that others will be compelled to add their own lines to the script.
Lisa, at least in part, expresses her voice through her jewelry. Those of you who know me, know that I am not a fancy girl in search of a lot of “bling” to add to my bland. Lisa’s work exceeds bling. It breathes with a simple beauty that invites quiet contemplation rather than loud demonstration.
For a few months now, I’ve admired her work from the sidelines, and when my ladies at Bible study gifted me with a recent “thank you,” my thoughts warmed with the possibility of purchasing one of Lisa’s designs. The girls instructed me that the money was not to be used on my children or for bills, but rather to be used on something I wouldn’t normally buy for myself.
No further persuasion was needed. I ordered my necklace, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results.
As a way of honoring Lisa’s creative expression, I want to gift one of you readers with a $20 gift certificate toward the purchase of your own, hand-crafted design. In addition, Lisa is offering a 20% discount to anyone who places an order for a design.
When ordering, simply type in the code “peace20” to receive your 20% discount. As for the $20 gift certificate, please leave a comment, and I will draw a winner on Monday. If you want to comment, but know that you won’t be able to use the gift, please indicate accordingly so that someone else has the opportunity to win. (*note: I will have a code available for you when you are ready to place your order that will deduct the $20 from total purchase.).
Thank you so much, Lisa, for your beautiful heart and life that shines through with each of your hand-crafted creations. Thank you, readers, for allowing me to introduce her to you. I won’t often do this on the blog, but I do believe in celebrating the many talents that God has scripted into each one of us.
I love your hearts. I love that you consider me your friend, even though many of us have never met face to face. I love that you love Jesus, and most importantly, I love that we will one day share heaven together with Him. Until we get there, and while we walk here, may his constant presence be your portion, may his favor and blessing be your shadow, and may you always know his loving and abiding …
Please take time to visit Lisa at her website and peruse some more of her handmade jewelry: http://lisaleonardonline.com/
How beautiful, Elaine! It looks perfect for you. I would love to see what she could come up with for me! I may have to use your 20% off code if I don’t win!
Thanks, friend for doing this. What a great way to support each other!
Oh Elaine, that piece of ‘peace’ is so YOU! What captivating and beautiful creations. Lisa certainly has a the gift of creativity.
As I read your post, words I said earlier this week stuck me powerfully. I had been asked to do something by a friend, and I directed her to ask someone else saying, “I have no creativity when it comes to decorating. I can copy an idea in a book, but I’m clueless on my own!”
Thanks for reminding me today that God has placed the gift of creativity in me. It might not be in the area of interior design, but His creativity flows through me as well. I have neglected that gift in recent weeks. I have given in to self, avoiding the efforts that creativity requires.
Asking that His impulse will ignite the fire within again so His creative juices will flow,
Joy
Ooooo, I like it! I’m not much on fancy finery, having little that I’d call “bling”. But I do treasure a simple, classy set of earings, or an accessory that doesn’t overwhelm. Now this is precious; a great resource.
Think I’ll post her website too!
Be blessed,
Kathleen
I went to her site and browsed and my how beautiful her work is! Your piece is perfect! I’m not buying Christmas presents this year due to a continuing unemplyment situation that God is working us through but my daughter’s birtday is in the spring and I marked this to remember it for then–there is wonderful jewelry to give her!
Good morning friend! I’ve perused and admired Lisa’s jewelry before; thanks for the reminder to head over again! Your piece is LOVELY, and even though we’ve never met in person, you’ve shared enough of your heart for me to know that it’s perfect for you.
I’d love to be entered in the drawing and am heading over again, now, to think toward the holidays!
Blessings,
Melinda
Oh how I love the way your necklace turned out! It is just beautiful! (What a sweet way for your Bible study ladies to honor you!) It will no doubt lead others to inquire as to its meaning and significance as you wear it.
I am actually planning to purchase a necklace from Lisa for my future “daughter-in-love” for Christmas! I am doing a heart with her initials, one with Brennan’s initials, and one with their wedding date. I saw her link on another blog and fell in love with her elegant and creative designs. What a beautiful way to celebrate God’s gift of creativity!
I’ve won several drawings in recent months (including one from you), so please DO NOT include me in your drawing. However, I will, most definitely be utilizing that 20% discount! Thank you so much for sharing that with us. = )
Love you and your beautiful heart, my friend!
Tracy
Oh, Elaine. Just beautiful. How generous you are. I’m not a bling person either, but those are lovely.
These pieces of jewelry are beautiful, Mrs. Elaine:) I like them:) I hope you have a blessed day:)
katiegfromtennessee
I am LOVING that necklace! I don’t care for fancy jewelry. Lisa’s jewelry suits me, though. Consider me “entered” into your contest for the gift certificate!
Praying for you today, for God’s perfect peace…the peace that passes all understanding…
Elaine! How lovely! Yours is just perfect for you! Wear it in love! I am going to check out her website–as soon as I grab me a cookie! I have discovered that eating lunch and catching up on blogs works!! I’m not taking away from my family’s time! I just have to be extremely careful not to spill anything near the computer!!!
She is a very talented lady! I am amazed at those so gifted! Put my name in the drawing, please m’am! Have a wonderful weekend.
Love ya,
Susan
BTW, where in NC are y’all?
i like drawings…
God really works through her hands in those pieces, doesn’t he?! Thanks for sharing her with us…
: )
What an incredible talent and what a beautiful necklace she created for you. I know your friends will be thrilled to see you wearing it. blessings, marlene
How beautiful, Elaine! Did she design it just for you? What a lovely, lovely gesture. I think this will be the perfect “bling” for you. she is a very gifted artist. Will have to visit her and check out her work.
Blessings to you this day, my friend.
What a beautiful piece. She does have unique items. Glad your ladies group insisted you use it on yourself. Please skip over me for the drawing. I will not be able to use the gift certificate.
Love this “peace” of jewelry. Loved the reminder that we are artists. I feel so odd sometimes, maybe it’s the artist in me. I see life through a unique lens. The one He designed for me.
Thanks for this discount and for sharing your heart so beautifully.
Elaine, thank you for introducing us to Lisa…she is definitely “using what her Daddy gave her” and bring joy and love the people around her.
I love to see God working and touching peoples lives..and your blog does just that!
May we allow God to “do His thing” through us!
I haven’t seen Lisa’s work before. I am always amazed at how the simplest things are usually the most beautiful. I am off to find her website….thank you for sharing!
It’s beautiful Elaine! Absolutely perfect for you! I know Lisa in a roundabout sort of way–she and her family are now at at the church DH and I consider our home church. I know she touches people’s lives in many ways; I’m glad she’s touched yours so tangibly. (Yet another intersection!)
The jewelry is beautiful. What a nice thing to do…a gift certificate.
Sheryl
Elaine,
Absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for sharing her God given talent with us. Count me in! I just love it.
Blessings!
Elaine, I’ve never met you in person, but that beautiful necklace just seems so “you”! How very special to have a unique and personalized “piece of peace”. Thank you for sharing Lisa’s wonderful gift and talent. I plan to order something for Katy’s upcoming 12th birthday!
What a talent! That is just simply gorgeous. I’m not a blinging kind of gal either, oooh weeee but I’d love a unique piece like that. Blessings.
That necklace is beautiful, Elaine!
Lisa is very talented, indeed.
I’m not much into “bling” myself, but pieces like that are hard to resist. I love the special, individual, one of a kind meaning that is displayed in her work.
God Bless,
Amy:)
Elaine… yes, let us encourage creativity… the God-given creativity within each one of us. For some… it is jewelry… others – friendship… and still others – peace that is for the journey…
oh I love this Elaine!!! So beautiful and unique. Thanks for sharing her work and God given talent with us.
Love,
Lelia
Elaine, that necklace is so pretty. I am not a big jewelry gal either. Except for the occasional ear rings, I wear jewelry for precious moments sake.
I think I may sonter over there myself. I was thinking that maybe I would put a scripture the Lord gave me on it from this year.
God knows I could use a reminder from Him to breathe oxygen on the once flames that have now become smouldering embers.
These are perfectly perfect for my taste. I think these would make beautiful Christmas gifts as well. Wow, Elaine, thanks for the opportunity for the discount!
I like!! I am sure I would need the word “grace” somewhere on mine. Thanks for sharing in this opportunity to get one of these. Count me in on this drawing!!
In His Graces~Pamela
“No one escapes the need for expression” I agree. We’re all artist of a kind or another. Very good thought.
Oh, Lelia sent me here. Her jewelry is so beautiful!