Lorainne is a dear friend of many years and a very talented artisan, practiced in a number of craft mediums. It is a joy to sit under her teaching and not only glean from how she creates the most beautiful handmade items, but also how she reads and prays the Word of God. There was one moment while working with her that has not left me…  Before picking up any tool, she began with a prayer: that God would guide her heart and hands — she prayed for His help, to accomplish His will. Secondly, that this seemingly small endeavor would serve to communicate some aspect of His glory and truth, and in the process bless others. This kind of prayer pierces a heart with humility and a growing desire to commune with our Heavenly Father who promises to be fully present and patient — caring for all matters we bring before His throne. He gives the gifts — He cares how we use them. As Elizabeth Elliott once said, “It is I who think of matters in terms of ‘great’ and ‘small’. It is one of the things I’m trying to unlearn – to get this perspective: that things which are small in the eyes of men are great in the eyes of God, and vice versa.“

While listening to her speak, one may delightfully notice how she is just as illustrative and expressive in conversation as she is with her creative endeavors. She has had such a beautiful, sharpening, and encouraging influence upon my life and so many others.  

When did creative endeavors become a significant part of your life?

In my teens and early twenties I began making my own clothes. I wanted something different than what was sold in the stores. I “needed” my own style. It wasn’t until my early thirties that I realized styling my own outfits gave me a way to be creative with fabric and color. I am captivated by colors, shades, and hues. I moved from designing coordinating outfits, to designing jewelry, hair accessories, hats, and scarfs while at the same time experimenting with paper and textiles that led to crafting in media of countless varieties. In the early 90’s I started using acrylic paints on leather projects. It was then I became captured by a love of painting. I also dabbled with needle felting to create embellishments for hats and clothing, it was like painting with wool roving. For several years I designed framed works incorporating painted leather, paper, and items from nature. In the mid-nineties I got serious about making inspirational greeting cards. That has remained my number one passion. 

What types of art mediums do you most enjoy working with and why? Has it changed over time?

That is a tough question to answer. I’m fickle, I move from one medium to another and then circle back around again. At present, I’m enjoying watercolor and inks. I’m still fond of fabric and acrylic mediums for certain applications, I’m also enjoying creating my own nature stamps out of foam. I have a fetish for paper of all kinds, always have since very young, but now have discovered the ability to create my own paper designs, using all manner of mediums. Over the past few years I’ve been teaching myself to watercolor. I like realistic designs best. I create little scenes and picture myself living in or wandering through them … little woodlands and swamp lands and flower gardens… then I pick a scripture and a poem or sentiment that matches the scene; mount everything on card stock and voila! There you have it! An original, one of a kind inspirational greeting card! Over the past two months I’ve taken to designing wax seals as embellishments on the card fronts. It’s a “brewing passion” of late. Like I said, I’m fickle. I move through my favorite learned techniques and back again… adding a tweak or two as I go. 

What is your greatest treasure?

Of course, my two children, and three grandchildren are my greatest earthly treasures. But, your question has caused me to realize how age changes what we treasure, at least it has done so for me. When I was young, I had “treasures”: things that I prized which had been given to me along life’s way, things I would have clutched if a fire broke out. I have a small cedar chest that was given to me by my best friend in eighth grade. I also have several flat rocks from the Upper Peninsula that my daughter painted back in the 1980’s with beautiful, detailed nature scenes. I have two brass lamps that were given to me in the mid 1970’s; and a few other mementos… But to be totally honest, though I enjoy having these things around me, I realize they are merely “things” that will be passed on when I’m gone. My absolute greatest treasure is the realization that being a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords has made me rich beyond measure, rich in blessings that will never pass away, that will be mine for all eternity! By grace, Christ’s love for me is what I treasure most, which gives me warrant to love Him more. As my treasure He establishes and prioritizes what I prize, now and eternally. 

How does this treasure influence what you create? 

I’d like to imagine that what I create with my hands and the gifts He has given me, brings Him pleasure and glory and inspires others to look to Him for light, hope, and encouragement. In June of 1997, I asked the Lord in prayer what I was to do with my life. The answer came to me by way of commission. I was “called” to craft for Him and to speak for Him. It is a privilege I took to heart then and continue to do so to this day. As Lord, Christ as my treasure influences every facet of my life. How could He not?

What do you think about as you create?

What do I think about when I’m working on a creative project? What DON’T I think about is the better question. Sometimes I’m consumed with thinking about design, and color… I’m obsessed with color and texture and embellishments, layers that add interest and dimension. I think about how I can “pop” what I’m doing up a notch to make it just a little bit more of a work of art. I think about the person that will receive the work, if I know who they will be. Two weeks prior to my typing this I finished a card for an aunt who turned 100 years old. My thoughts went in so many different directions… they took me back to being a child and visiting her in Indiana (when we were all young) and then to thoughts of my father, her older brother who has been gone twenty years now… But as I implemented the design in my head into a card, my thoughts circled back to: “How can I bless a woman who is turning 100 years old, WITH paper, pen, and ink?” So, by grace, in essence, I sought the mind of Christ… what could paper, ink, and color contain that would glorify the One who had sustained her these long years and bring her joy in the process. I’d like to think the Giver of all good gifts “pulled it off”… for me and for Aunt Doris. 

In what ways have you seen God change what and how you create over the years?

When I was young, I worked full time in an office. In those days crafting was a hobby as well as a means of supplementing my income. I dabbled in all sorts of “stuff”. Once I even designed and embroidered a framed work of monarch butterflies to pay for a used car! At the turn of 1979/80 I began studying the Bible, which led to turning the reins of my heart and life over to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in 1981. In the early 1990’s, life took several dramatic turns, I was without a job, I had numerous health issues, and was close to becoming homeless. In June 1997, after a long journey of coming out of life-long depression and anxiety, I prayed and asked the Lord what I was to do with the rest of my life. The incident is fresh and vivid even to this day. I was trying to eradicate a large dandelion from between the sidewalk and the blacktop road which runs along where I then and now live. The voice was not audible, but nonetheless very real. By the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within me as a follower of Christ, I received my commission: “You will craft for Me and you will speak for me”‘. From that day to this, to the best of my ability, what I do with my hands and my mouth are dedicated to the glory of God and the good of my fellow man. I mostly use paper, paint, ink, bits of fabric and wax seals which are incorporated into inspirational greeting cards and an occasional journal cover. What I do is a joy and a blessing and a great privilege. 

Have you experienced any unexpected lessons or developments in character while working with different mediums?

For me, the most unexpected lesson and character builder was when I came to the realization of two pivotal points. First, was the fact that I couldn’t do it all… I had to whittle my interests and expertise down to a sustainable level. Figuring out what you don’t want in your life allows you to concentrate on what you do want. That was a huge lesson for me! The second came when I concluded: you can’t please everyone. So, I stopped trying. Some people have unrealistic expectations of others. I try to please the Lord and myself with the projects I work on now… I rarely, very rarely take commissioned works. I work at my own pace and accumulate an inventory… if that inventory should hold an item someone is interested in, praise the Lord… let’s talk. 

Tell me about a deeply personal project and the story behind it.

I’ve designed and embellished several wedding invitations, an adoption announcement, birth announcements, graduation announcements, and gifts. Those were personal and hopefully of lasting value. Over the past two years I did a series of cards for my young niece. She is in her 20’s; discovered she had breast cancer along with the hereditary gene. She was so touched by the cards that she had them professionally framed in a grouping. How tender and moving is that?

What are some things you might tell your younger self concerning your craft? 

Don’t try to do it all, and don’t rush what you do! If you are dreading a project, generally you shouldn’t be doing it. When something stops being enjoyable… move on.

How can people contact you if they want to inquire about your work?

By email at ljmick44@gmail.cov