Artist Made Ornament Exchange

The Collective Muse is a group of artist who live and work in Nashville, Tennessee. Our backgrounds and our interests in art vary but we all agree that our purpose is to encourage and support each other in art making. Our group has evolved over the past seven years, member have come and gone, but a core group of us remains. This year we celebrated the Christmas Season by having our first "Artist Made Ornament Exchange."

The variety of ornaments was amazing, everything from collaged hearts bedazzled with glitter, felted creatures, origami cranes, folded book stars, collaged brie boxes with butterflies, fabric/felt folk symbols, and painted wood scraps. We drew numbers for who would go first and went around the pile of wrapped ornaments picking in turn. Once we were done picking, we took turns opening each set of artist ornaments at a time.

" Ohhhs and Ahhhhs" cooed all around the table as we opened each one. Everyone's face was bright with joy, surprise and delight. The Christmas Season has become steeped in commercial goods for many people but not during this event. It was such a pleasure to give and receive beautifully handcrafted objects made by each other. My " Visions of Sugar Plums" are of one day having a Christmas Tree covered from top to bottom with only handmade ornaments of my friends and family. The Collective Muse's Artist Made Ornament Exchange is sure to become our annual tradition. I hope you create this tradition in your life too! Occupy Christmas!