Handprints: Personal and Unique
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| Jesse Rene Michael 2010 |
Everyone Has Unique Fingerprints
A personal and unique thing about you is your fingerprints.
There are handprints from cavemen days that are still with us today in the Smithsonian Institute. When people began making pottery, they would inevitably leave fingerprints on the pieces. I had a pottery instructor who went to the Smithsonian as part of her training. She spoke about putting her fingers into the places where the prints were on the ancient pottery. Do you ever think about leaving handprints behind?
I’ve always loved doing babies’ handprints after birth. They’re even adorable as older children. There is more to be done with handprints than we’ve thought about previously.
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| Todd and Joshua Davis 2010 |
Father and Son Handprints
Today I made a handprint of a father first and then I pressed his baby son’s hand into his handprint. Isn’t that what little children do with their parents? They want to measure how big their hand is compared to Daddy’s.
Instructions for Doing Handprints and Reverse Mold Handprints
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| Never paint inside the first handprint. You’ll need to press clay directly into the print to get the crevices and swirls for the Reverse Mold handprint |
If you lived by me I’d do your child’s handprint, dry and fire it and train you to do a reverse mold handprint. Look in your area for a potter, a school that has a kiln or a ‘paint-a-plate’ store. Get the clay from a clay center, school or potter and then ask if they’ll fire it for you. My daughter-in-law goes to the military base where they have the kilns for people to use (under supervision). You can do this!
Have you had handprints in clay, paint, tracing?
Do you love having them?
I'm forwarding this page to my wife. I love these ideas.
Donna, I love, love, love this! It's so important to capture those moments when your children are little that you can't get back. I really love the double handprints inside each other too! I would love to have this done with my daughter and all of her great-grandparents (she still has 4 of them!). And I'd love to do the reverse handprint to give to my grandma that lives out of town. Oh my, I'm so excited now!!!
PV Lundqvist
Thanks! You'll love having them around the home.
Jenn of Coolest Family on the Block
Looks like you're running with it! I love the idea of the great-grandparents with your daughter. Be sure you press the great-grandparents' hands easy so you don't hurt their bones.
They'll be a 'forever' gift!
It's wonderfull!
bankmsu,
Try different variations..you'll be captured by the simplicity.
Very interesting blog, very cute book. My cousins boy had his hands and feet done when he was a newborn, its an excellent idea because kids arent little forever.
GingerBonnie,
Have you thought about your grandparents having their handprints done? They won't be with you forever either. It's nice to be able to touch the palms of their hands in ceramic each time you think of them.
If you decide to get married and have children, then your own children can meet your grandparents this way. I know one of the games a child plays is try to see if their hand is as big as their parent's or grandparents. Having the print around lets them constantly test the size of their handprint as they grow.
VERY NICE! I really like you blog – keep up the great work!!
Steve
Common Cents
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com
Steve,
Your site is very interesting and informative.
I'd recommend it to people looking for the latest news and updates on the world.
It is amazing, how much can be read from the hands. Thus, having your handprints in clay is leaving a very deep and personal memento of yourself: Your past, your present, and even some hints of your future. Your hopes, your fears, your talents and your weaknesses. Leaving the permanent mark of your hands is such a unique gift to the humanity.
Malastal,
It reads in the Word of God that we are 'etched into His Hand'. We may think He doesn't remember us or is not interested in us, but He has permanently etched you into His remembrance. You may turn your back to Him, but His love is always coming toward you.
The father and son handprint brought a tear to my eye! I think we'll try that this Christmas – even if it is just with 2 different colored paints. How precious!
Audra,
If you want to try it through the mail, I can send the clay…you follow the instructions, send it back when it's leatherhard, wrapped in bubble wrap with no room to move in the box. I'll fire it and send it back to you.
US Priority mail has a $4.95 video box that would work. That comes up to $15 with free firing at my end. Let me know if you want to do it!
Donna,
Indeed, it is so. And vice versa, the God is etched into our hands.
Malastal,
Even more so, He is etched into my heart.
Donna,
Yes. Anahata, the heart chacra, governs unconditional love, passion, and devotion. These things must be very important for you, if you feel that God is etched most importantly to your heart. Let the energies always flow through your heart, and you never lose your unique connection with God.
The God that is etched in my heart lives in me and flows through me. He has promised to 'never leave me nor forsake me'. No one can pluck me out of His hand.
He has sent His love to all mankind through Jesus Christ. I may have chosen Him, but He chose me before all time. We are in relationship eternally.
As it says in His Word, "I trust in the Lord with all my might and lean not to my own understanding. I acknowledge Him in all of my ways and He will make my path straight."
Donna, I would have loved to have handprints of my Grandmother. What a wonderful idea. Actually, you share so many great ideas on your blog site! Thank you so much.
Mindy,
You still have your children's grandparents there, so get their handprints! Wendy Jo will be glad to send you to the right place for clay.
Thank you for being so complimentary regarding the blog site.