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creativeexpressions
Newfound Sisterhood
Self-discovery Through Traveling Baubles & Beads
by linda sechrist
I
n just six minutes, in a wildly ex-
declare themselves void of creativity.
travagant scene from the 1953 film,
“I always chuckle to myself,” declares
Gentleman Prefer Blondes, Marilyn
Raven, “because I know that by the
Monroe immortalized diamonds as “a
time they are finished making their first
girl’s best friend.” While the ultimate
piece of jewelry, they will already have
stone holds far more monetary value
an idea for the next piece and will be
than the array of semiprecious gem-
looking through my inventory of stones.
stones that Raven Lamoreux-Dodd
It happens every time.”
uses in her personal power jewelry,
Limited to 10 participants per
diamonds can’t compete with their
class, jewelry classes sometimes resem-
ceremonial and therapeutic power. The
ble a modernized scene from The Mak-
shiny beads and baubles featured in
ing of an American Quilt, a 1995 film
her do-it-yourself local jewelry classes,
in which the beauty of life’s intricate
rock.
patterns was revealed in tales shared by
Organizing the classes takes a lot
the women as they constructed a quilt.
Raven Lamoreux-Dodd (above) and
of planning and muscle. The routine
“The act of women gathering together
one of her original necklaces made of
trek to and from classes requires tot-
to share conversation while they create
semi-precious stones and metals (below).
ing around 30 containers of colorful
is a tradition noted in every culture,”
gemstones, pages of information about
observes Raven.
their meaning, two banquet tables and
Whether or not these amateur jew- been a student and later, a teacher of
a couple of card tables to display sup-
elers are aware of being part of some- shamanism (shamans are said to be
plies. While that might be a coordinat-
thing larger than themselves, it appears intermediaries between the human and
ing nightmare for some, for Raven, it’s
that they are participating in the same spirit worlds), a creator of ceremony
creative playtime when she can help
timeless ritual in which women uncon- and a graduate of the Coaches Training
others discover a new facet of them-
sciously immersed themselves when Institute. Raven remarks how, “Coach-
selves. “The jewelry parties are a way
their needles and thread turned patches ing, ceremony and intention subtly find
for me to teach women from all walks
of material into extraordinary quilts. In their way into every jewelry class. It’s
of life how to get in touch with their
the ritual of sisterhood enacted in jew- not intentional; the women simply ask
creativity,” she enthuses.
elry classes, newbie artisans turn beads, questions about necklaces for healing
Often at the beginning of a class,
glass and metals into beautiful jewelry or improving relationships. Women
which usually takes place in someone’s
that they can wear or give as gifts. enjoy that they can save money by
home, several women immediately
Raven reflects on her own philoso- making their own jewelry. They get to
phy about jewelry: “If jewelry doesn’t network, make new friends and have
sing to you, or you don’t resonate with a good time. Everyone walks away
it, don’t put it on,” she advises. “Jewelry uplifted.”
is an adornment, and when it speaks to These jewelry parties become
you, not only will you know it, but so about far more than classes. Festive and
will those who pay you compliments.” celebratory, they span five hours and
As a woman whose creative first include as much food for the body as
name and way of life reflects what they do for the soul. “We’re together
she professes, Raven has occasionally for enough time to get to know one an-
worn one of her personal pieces to the other, to eat, talk, share and encourage
grocery store, only to sell it to someone each other,” remarks Raven. “It’s great
while waiting in the checkout line. “I therapy for the heart.”
only wear what makes my heart sing,”
she says. And others pick up on it. For more information, call Raven
Previous careers have proved Lamoreux-Dodd at 682-0598. Online,
useful in coaching individuals who visit PersonalPowerPieces.com/pages/
wish to explore their creativity. She’s pppclasses.htm.
May 2009 2
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