Ideas | Sarah Clark Design

This year is finishing with some deep truths and an abundance of richness

by Sarah Clark | Dec 27, 2021 | Ideas

This feels like just the right wisdom for this moment …

Rabbi Rami Shapiro writes a column for Spirituality & Health magazine, where he answers questions. He’s really very good. He’s compassionate, direct and sometimes very, very funny.

In the November/December 2018 issue, which happened into my lap recently, the editors gave a little little bit of background on how Rabbi Shapiro came to have a column with Spirituality & Health, and they shared his answers to life’s 5 Big Questions.

What Am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? What am I here to do? Why?

And it is the Why questions whose answer I deeply appreciated, as I make my way though another of life’s inevitable shifts. Here is a brief snippet:

“You are not here to win something, or to earn something, or to escape to some other dimension. You don’t have to find something extra from life, you only have to live life rightly – with curiosity, courage, and compassion. When you do, your heart will open and you will be filled with an ever-increasing capacity to love and be loved …. you are an experiment; you are a way life explores living. Live your life as an experiment, and see what you can learn about living well, taking care of self and others. And then share what you learn with others.
This is why you are here.”

spiritualityhealth.com

Small boxes and wee sets of drawers will literally call me from another side of a store … “Sarah, we are over here … and we need you to help us!” Both practical and with good bones, these two little treasures found their way into my studio recently. They were plain and boring, but with a certain style. Each asked for a different approach. The three-drawer one is solid aromatic cedar and in my world, would hold pens and things, but in the real world, it is most likely for jewelry. Which is fine, don’t get me wrong!

The six-drawer one is solid birch plywood, very sturdy, and perfect for corralling all sorts of things (for me, pens again). When it came to knobs, I couldn’t find any that were suitable for size, so I made my own. I also used three different exotic wood veneers on the drawer fronts, which belies the humble wood beneath. It feels rich in so many ways, I was so pleased to see it come together.

Alas, they were not to be mine and hold my wares … but rather, to become a treasure for someone else’s treasures. The are waiting at the Salish Sea Market in Bowser, BC, for their forever homes.

What’s been keeping me reading these days …

As you can see, I have fallen for a couple of authors in this pile of reading materials … Matt Haig and Brené Brown.

Sometimes I think the best way to say how much I enjoyed a book, is to see how many flags I put on the pages. Let’s just say, I might have to go out and buy some more sticky flags ….

Blue Grass Velvet is the name of the ink, from Ferris Wheel Press, in Toronto, Ontario. It is exactly the colour of the box. It is luscious and lovely and a colour I never thought I would buy.

But then, it grabbed me and I am glad it did. I love it. And because I love it so much, I filled up my oldest everyday fountain pen with it. My Waterman gold nib is perfect for it. The writing experience smooth and velvety … yes, just perfect!

And the name reminds me of my mother … she wore Elizabeth Arden Blue Grass perfume … it’s almost as if I can smell the scent when I write!

Check them out … they have many more amazing colours! ferriswheelpress.ca

photo by Wendy Morisseau

As this year ends and a new one is on the horizon, so is a new life for me and my partner Mary Ann. We have to move. After 16.5 years in our place, the house has been sold, and we are new-home bound.

This is a big deal on so many levels … it means looking at our lives and seeing what fits and doesn’t, right now and going into the next age and stage of our lives. It is rich with experience, that’s for sure. As yet, we don’t know where our next home will be. Nanaimo is a somewhat busy rental market, and the sticker shock of current rents means we have to rethink things – a lot!

But this is not our first rodeo, as the saying goes … and we remain in a state of trust and faith that things will work out in our highest and best interests. We are blessed to have friends and family who hold that same wish for and with us, so we feel supported, even though we don’t have answers. The next while is going to stir up lots, as we let go of many things that have been around and in our lives for decades. But this is part of life.

This is where I am sure the “on a positive note” mandala deck is keeping this present in my head and heart, as it reminds me daily that “I will be the river”, “I am happy” and “I surrender to what is”

My wish for all of us is that our lives remain rich in love and connection!

~sarah

In and around the studio this week …

by Sarah Clark | Oct 18, 2021 | Ideas

My handwriting changes all the time.

I have never had my handwriting analyzed, because I wouldn’t know which sample I might use … unlike most people I know, my handwriting definitely changes based on the pen I am using, the paper that I am writing on, and for sure, the mood I am in. Consistency is not a word I can use to characterize my writing words!

Years ago, when someone saw that my writing is, for the most part, often quite nice and easy to read, suggested that I hand write a book sometime. No … couldn’t do it unless it was all in one sitting. But I do love to write, that’s for sure!

I am so excited to share these two books with you … both written by my life partner, Mary Ann Moore!

Yes I had a hand in designing them … Writing Home A Whole Life Practice I did cover to cover, and Fishing For Mermaids, I designed the front and back cover and spine. You can read more about these in the shop! This is the first time Writing Home A Whole Life Practice has been offered to the general public. Previously it was only used with Mary Ann’s mentoring clients. It very exciting for us both to see Mary Ann’s work out there in the larger world!

Currently beside my reading chair …

I am reading a lot more these days, and the diversity of what I am reading is sort of neat! Some of the books I dip into, like the Nick Bantok, which is always good for a creative boost! The Anatomy of the Spirit, by Caroline Myss, PhD., is one I am reading for the 2nd time … the first time was about 30 years ago. When the Body Says No by Gabor Maté, I just finished reading for the 4th time! It is such a good book!

The Lettering Manual book is one I am working through slowly … it’s like a University degree in lettering, but more fun! Professional level, but done very nicely. It’s for people who are pretty serious about lettering! (That would be me.)

The others are a bit of dipping in and out … between my main reading … The Inspired House, The Artful Dodger and Drawing on the Artist Within, came to me free, from a bookstore that was giving away all the things they couldn’t sell, before the closed their doors … a pretty sweet score, if I do say so. So people went out of there overloaded with books, and were coming back for more. YIKES! I was quite happy to pick a few. Books can be overwhelming!!

Did you know: Most of the “seagulls” found along the British Columbia coast nest on inland lakes far from the ocean? from Birds of Southwest British Columbia, 2005 Heritage.

I don’t think in all the years I have lived here, I’ve taken a photo of a gull … and it’s not like there aren’t a billion opportunities! But this feathered friend, just off the waterfront walkway, seemed to need to be acknowledged with a nice shot! I was happy to oblige!

Heart Patterns from Stanford University researchers

Patterns of the Heart when exposed to music.

As someone who is fascinated by patterns, I was delighted to see this come up recently on Facebook.

Stanford University researchers, Cardiologist Sean Wu, MD, PhD, and Utkan Demirci, PhD, an acoustic bioengineer and professor of radiology have been looking at the effect of music on heart cells. “Utkan brought up this idea that we could use acoustics to pack the cells very densely and still maintain an ability to control and tune their organization — and we got really excited,” says Wu, associate professor of medicine.

You can read all about it here: https://stanmed.stanford.edu/listening/innovations-helping-harness-sound-acoustics-healing.html … it’s pretty amazing and hopeful for use in medicine I think.

The image above shows the ‘cymatics’, or geometric patterns created in heart cells when applying various sounds.

photo by Wendy Morisseau

In and around the studio these days are the usual dozen or so projects. I have a cabinet that I think is next up to be completed. I picked up two round canvasses, about 20″ in diameter, which I have never worked on before, so that will be interesting. They are in the mid-stage of things.

There is the thinking and plotting of new projects, and how to start a few that are in my head. I’ve been inspired by a suggestion from a friend, about modifying something I have already created, so I will see if I am brave enough to go down that road.

I am always thinking about the little compendiumshop.ca and ways to make it even more fun!

All in all, it is a lively and lovely time here in the studio, and I wish the same for you, whatever you are doing!

~sarah

My favourite time of the year!

by Sarah Clark | Oct 5, 2021 | Ideas

Autumn is my season, for sure!

This is the time of the year that I feel most at home in my being. There is a calmness that comes from the quiet and end of season, the natural world going into hibernation and the onset of hunkering.

Since I am not a fan of the chaos of summer and the stresses that it now brings each year, Autumn feels like the perfect rest after being out of touch with myself. It reminds me to take pleasure in the simple things in my life.

It is also when I get back to letter writing, which is one of the things that seems to disappear in the summer. Lately I have been sending Bento Box Letters, and even though I knew they were going to be a lot of fun, it turns out that they are simply spectacular in their ability to slow me down and have some fun, while connecting to a loved one.

This is the example letter that I did, to show at least one possibility … and then I got a letter from my friend/pencil/pen buddy, Simone … and opening it was such a complete thrill!

The gift of slow production …

Pretty much everything I create is a slow process with many steps. Over the years, I have found that sometimes the simplest of things can bring great calmness and pleasure to my day. Recently I was making up some new card stands, which starts with a light sanding, then staining and top coat, before embellishing them with a unique design. I was having such a nice time staining 24 new stands, imagining that each one is created for one other person. I may never know this person, but it is the energy of connection through the work that I want to create.

The same thing happened when I was putting together some Bento Box Letter packs. Each one folded carefully, knowing that one person is going to open it up to create something special, and then send it off into the world. It’s what I love about how I have decided to structure my world, how I am making it sustainable on every level, and making energetic connections with each piece.

Well, thanks to my co-creator, Wendy Morisseau, our NEW Every Day a New Beginning Meditation Deck, is flying off the shelf, so to speak!

I think I would speak for both Wendy and myself, when I say there is a definite joy in seeing how much people are drawn to this new deck. They see the calm it is all about, and the sharing of good energy to start every single day.

We had to put in a second print order as soon as the first one arrived, which made us smile from ear to ear, and it made our printer chuckle! I’m thinking it won’t be long before a third order goes in!!

photo by Wendy Morisseau

I notice that the garden, in its final moments of this year, is calling to me again. It seems to like to do this in the fall … to show me the rawness of things ending. I find them fascinating and inspiring. I also find it very calming. I’ve never been that good at endings, but I think that perhaps I am learning some grace around it through this season.

Thank you for stopping in to connect!

Be well in all that you do,

~sarah

A new beginning for my little shop!

by Sarah Clark | Sep 18, 2021 | Ideas

It’s been a very busy and productive few months around here!

As I look back and see, I have not posted a blog since May … I know there is a really good reason! The first being, my eyesight was holding me back, and then when it got repaired, I was full steam ahead on the projects I dreamed of completing!

The projects have been moving along well, and in typical fashion, they sort of all came together at the same time.

Now freshly added to my little new shop … I thought it would be great to share the highlights!

I hope you will drop into to visit and take a look around!

I have ALWAYS wanted to do a calendar … and here it is!

Under the umbrella of “on a positive note” mandala decks and colour packs, comes the next thing … the 2022 Calendar!

If you are looking for an ordinary calendar with all the predictable dates on it … this is NOT for you. If, on the other hand, you are looking for 81 celebration days throughout the year, you’re in the right place!

Each day that I have chosen to highlight is there to lighten and enlighten, surprise and delight, and always give you a reason to celebrate!

You won’t want to miss World Introvert Day in January … World Typing Day. Celebrate the birth of the Peace Symbol and Pink Shirt Day in February. And of course, you won’t want to miss, National Speak in Full Sentences Day in May.

Yes, a year of quirky celebrations awaits you! Let’s Celebrate!

Introducing The Bento Box, an all-in-one letter/envelope that is ready to be customized!

I have wanted to do stationery for a very long time. I’ve made a few attempts, but nothing that really excited me. That changed when I created the Bento Box Letter … which is really a blank canvas for fun. The idea was spurred on by an amazing large-format letter that I received from my friend Simone … it blew me away. My first thought was to create a smaller version, using the idea of origami folds, no cuts.

The second thing that happened was laying out the boxes, which is along the lines of how I have been drawing in my journal for the past year. Organized, but still random. Or perhaps, organized chaos.

What I know for sure … they are really fun spaces to play in … and in the end, you have a letter to a friend that is really a piece of art!

Introducing Write Me, the other all-in-one letter/envelope that is ready to be customized!

The second all-in-one letter design is more traditional, based on the old Areogram letters from a bygone era. Write Me letters offer the creativity of colouring mandalas and making each letter a unique piece to send. It is sophisticated and sleek, at the same time!

You can embellish the mandala designs if you like, or leave them plain. The stock is heavier and takes pencil and water-based markers well.

All you have to do is write it, seal it (with the mandala stickers included) and put a stamp on it … ready to go!

A here you have “every day, a new beginning” … a collaboration between my friend Wendy Morisseau and me

Wendy’s images and my words … combined into a morning “sunrise” meditation deck. Since so many people were inspired by Wendy’s sunrise images, posted to Facebook, it wasn’t too much of a leap to make it into a deck with some inspiring words. Seems the idea is a hit! This may be the first of many projects we complete together … we’ll see where it takes us!

There are 25 cards in each deck, each with a different sunrise and words to go with it!

YES .. IT’S TRUE … compendium 9 is complete … and at the printer as I write this.

It’s been a very long time between issues, for a variety of reasons, but I am delighted to say that this one is complete, and I am happy with it!

I feel as though I can get back on some sort of a regular schedule with these again, and I see how they are morphing and changing … and that certainly will continue. compendium is a living/breathing entity, that surprisingly enough, has a mind of its own at times. Or perhaps that just my ability to pay attention and “hear” what is to happen.

c10 is already roaring around in my head … but first, to get c9 into the hands of the people who have been asking!

photo by Wendy Morisseau

There are more new things in the revamped and expanded shop … but you’re just going to have to dash over there to take a look … which I really hope you will take the time to do. I love having visitors.

And now … back to the studio to create some more new pieces to intrigue and delight!

All the best of the season to you,
~sarah

Joy is light

by Sarah Clark | May 5, 2021 | Ideas

Joy in a box

A small box arrived in the mail today, containing these two ink bottles. They have travelled all the way from the UK, to Toronto, to Vancouver Island. A long journey to bring joy to my writing experience.

I am not sure when inks for fountain pens started to really be a thing. When you could choose between dozens of really good brands, in hundreds of colours. When you would look forward to loading up multiple fountain pens with a selection of fabulous colours, each being its own luscious experience. It hasn’t always been like this.

Wonderpens.ca in Toronto, is my go to place for inks because they sell TESTER sizes, so you can try an ink out and see if it’s a keeper, or just a passerby. These two inks are certainly keepers in my world.

Ancient Copper and Damson join my other two favourites, Twilight and Dark Forest in my Diamine ink line up. And new to the team, Noodler’s Ink “54th Massachusetts”, which is a demin blue, very nice.

Such a simple, yet deep pleasure.

“I have reached an age where I no longer feel the need
to explain myself.”

This was a thought that came to me while getting in the car to go grocery shopping. It was spurred on by my last trip to the grocery store, where a man seemed offended that I was choosing to buy filtered water.

As he passed by me in the water aisle, he looked back and said, “I don’t understand why people buy water when we have the third best water quality in Canada.” And then he kept going.

He didn’t want me to tell him why I was buying the water. He wanted to scold me for doing it.

Surprisingly, I was not offended or upset by him, just confused. Why does he even care about my water purchasing choices? I don’t know and I don’t need to know. Same as he doesn’t need to know why I buy my water from the grocery store.

photo by Wendy Morisseau

Beautiful tools from my studio

by Sarah Clark | Feb 23, 2021 | Ideas

I have never been much for rules, but I seem to have a soft spot for rulers.

There are no unused rulers in my world. There are no junk rulers either. All the rulers that reside in my studio/office, are hardworking, steel rulers, and each one has a job.

The twelve inch ruler seen at the lower right of the photo is one I bought when I was in design school. It offers measurements in inches, agates and picas. Very much made for the publishing and design industry. The eighteen inch ruler is even more detailed, with leading measurements as well. It is in fact, called The Publisher!

In more recent years I have had to acquire rulers with centimetres on them, but I still don’t use them as much as I use picas … old habits and training die hard … and I have spent most of my life measuring in picas, so it continues.

I love my selection of rulers. Some come with cork backing on them, so they are perfect when cutting things, they don’t slide around. Funny how they all essentially do the same thing, yet each one seems to fill a specific niche in my world. Curious and wonderful. Since each of these steel beauties is used on a regular basis, all will remain in the studio!

My doodling is becoming part of my everyday work!

I am not sure how it happened, one day I was innocently doodling on paper … then I started to think about embellishing the wooden stands for the Mandala Meditation Decks. The next thing I know, I am doodling on the stands and putting them together to form a whole new imagery. What fun!

These are 1″ stands, each done individually and then put together to become one image. Yes, I find this very, very surprising!

My fascination with pattern continues …

Pattern is a very intriguing thing. It offers more than I initially understood. It evokes memories. It connects things in ways that words don’t. It is both orderly and a tad chaotic. It is becoming a new love. It reminds me of the line my friend Rhonda shared with me, “a mistake repeated becomes a design element”, which was something she learned in a workshop many years ago. I understand that in a much deeper way now.

No idea where this is taking me, or how long it will last, but I am having a blast with it all right now!! I think the “structure” I have set up for this, a series of boxes to doodle in, is helping me to find a “voice” for this practice!

I would encourage everyone to pick up a pen or pencil and a piece of paper … and just doodle without any intention of it being anything. It’s so freeing!!!!!!!!!

Meet Carl my new manual pencil sharpener.

Or, if you are my friend Penny, he is Italian and his name is Carlos.

Yes, he has that sort of Italian sports car vibe to him, I have to admit … but he is made in the USA.

I think he’s quite a beautiful fellow and quite versatile. You can choose which sort of point you would like him to sharpen your pencils to, really pointy or stubby … I’ve never seen that before.

I am sure, if things get tough, I will be able to make money taking in pencils to sharpen … a modern version of my dear old friend Kate’s line … “you’ll have to take in stairs to wash”! This is a Scottish expression apparently.

Carl has a metal body which adds to his presence and sturdiness. He also comes with a clamp to secure him to a countertop or desk, and a generous bin for collecting shavings. I will admit, I haven’t used him as yet, I am still admiring how pristine and perfect he is. Don’t worry, he will find his way into the work flow soon enough!

Just sitting on my work table though, in all his gleaming handsomeness, he makes me smile.

And why is he named Carl, you ask? Well, that’s the company that makes him, and his name is on tattooed on his body!

NEW FROM THE STUDIO … On a Positive Note is the latest from the studio … in a new Mandala Deck and a Colouring Pack.

This is the next evolution of the work I have been doing over the past 12 years … and I have to say, the energy is palpable!

You can read more about both of the new pieces HERE.

Thank you for reading my words, supporting my work and purchasing my pieces … it truly takes a community of love and support to stay true to your work, and I am blessed to have that in abundance!

Be well, stay safe!

~sarah

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This year is finishing with some deep truths and an abundance of richness

This feels like just the right wisdom for this moment …

What’s been keeping me reading these days …

Blue Grass Velvet is the name of the ink, from Ferris Wheel Press, in Toronto, Ontario. It is exactly the colour of the box. It is luscious and lovely and a colour I never thought I would buy.