I am not an expert, nor do I feel I really even have a shred of an idea of how to proceed in the face of what feels like an overwhelmingly broken, suffering world. And I'm becoming (slowly and fumblingly) more aware of the life my white privilege affords me.  I can only speak from my own experience, and I'd never presume to know what is best for anyone else, so I'll only share what has been a fit for me so far as I find my way through this heartbreaking time in my home town of Louisville, where the police officers who murdered an innocent young black woman in her own home have yet to be held accountable nearly three months later, and in this country, where systemic racism and inequality for hundreds of years have led us to horrific realities.

I deeply believe in the idea that we each have an inner guidance system that calls us toward our purpose, our highest self, and our ultimate good. I have been listening to the song "Hammer and a Nail" by the Indigo Girls on repeat lately, and while several lines speak so clearly to me about taking action, one especially is inclusively encouraging: "If I have a care in the world, I have a gift to bring."  If I care, there is a place for me to contribute my particular abilities, knowledge, experience, hope, love, and light. If you care, too, perhaps some of these resources resonate for you and inspire your own gifts as well: 

~ 

Brittany Packnett Cunningham and this article by her helped me to better understand my unearned privilege and gave beautiful words to the feeling (often uncomfortable, but so be it) I have deep in my soul about my responsibility, my obligation, and my genuine desire to live differently.

I watched Rachel Cargle's public address on Revolution on Saturday, and I suspect that is just the teensiest beginning of what she will teach me. She has created learning resources available by monthly subscription (PAY PEOPLE FOR THEIR WORK!) called The Great Unlearn, and I look forward to expanding my awareness that way.

There are many reading lists circulating now to help educate us all on issues of racism, anti-racism, white privilege, untaught American history, oppression, mass incarceration, police brutality, activism, about and by BIPOC.  (Layla F. Saad not only wrote one of these books herself, but also shares her own bookshelves full of her favorite titles.) Many of these publications are currently sold out on Amazon and vendors are engaging in price-gauging. (I will not support that kind of manipulative, opportunistic behavior.) I'm anxious to get started on a few, but I'm willing to place an order with my local bookstore, and I'll wait to receive the books as soon as the publisher can distribute them.

I have been following or have begun following lots of Instagram accounts for resources and information, including Black Coffee with White Friends, Chani Nicholas, Ibram X. Kendi, Ray Emmanuel, Be The Bridge, The Conscious Kid, Until Freedom, NAACP, Check Your Privilege, and Campaign Zero.  

Here locally, I am especially interested in the voices of Jecorey Arthur, Charles Booker, Louisville's Black Lives Matter chapter, Louisville Showing Up for Racial Justice (LSURJ), and Louisville's nonprofit news station 89.3 WFPL.  (Many of the organizations listed will have chapters in your own community, too!)

I have made or will make donations to the Louisville Community Bail Fund, the NAACP, and the Loveland Foundation, and I pledge to continue my support of BIPOC vendors and BIPOC-owned businesses in my personal and in my professional life. (Elva Fields has historically sourced materials from vendors and businesses owned by people of color, and I will continue to make that a priority.)

I'll be voting on June 23rd in Kentucky's primary elections. (Kentucky peeps, go to GoVoteKY.com or call 502.574.5700 to request a ballot if you'd rather not visit the polls in person.) To determine the State Senatorial candidate that best aligns with my values, I'll watch on KET as host Renee Shaw discusses the 2020 Democratic primary election for the US Senate with candidates Charles Booker, Mike Broihier, and Amy McGrath. The conversation will air at the following times on the stations listed:

• Monday June 1, 2020 8:00 pm ET on KET

• Tuesday June 2, 2020 6:00 am ET on KETKY

• Wednesday June 3, 2020 6:00 pm ET on KETKY

 

There are lots of petitions circulating on behalf of victims of police brutality and violence, including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, (this one, too!) and signing those brings powerful numbers that can hopefully sway those in power to take more swift legal action against those who committed these disgusting and awful crimes. 

And, if I'm feeling I can add my voice to my written word and name, I can call the Louisville Mayor's Office at 502.574.2003 or I enlist the help of an organization working on behalf of Breonna Taylor to make calls to the appropriate offices handling her case. Grassroots Law Project also posts helpful action checklists for calls, emails, and petitions.

~

Mostly, I'm going to listen to learn, pray for guidance on how best to take inspired action, and take those steps with humility, courage, and a sense of the gifts I hope I have to bring to this world. 

Be well, friends.

 

(quote above by Brittany Packnett)

 

 

If you're reading this, I'll assume you're ready to make a necklace - and I'm here to help!  Step-by-step instructions are available to download and/or print HERE. Just follow along and, soon enough, you'll have your very own necklace for wearing or sharing!

You can also check out my (very amateur!) video tutorial COMING SOON to help walk you through the steps of necklace making with your DIY Kit.

Either way, I can't wait to see what you create, and I hope you're having fun along the way! Thank you so much for wanting to make something wonderful with me!

Questions? Email me here.

Care to share your design on the webs?

Tag us @elvafields #madewithloveandElva

Oh, friends, what wild and weird times we're living in lately. As uncertain and challenging as this all feels to me and maybe to you, too, the truth is - if you're reading this - you're among the most fortunate, as it means you have internet access, a working technological device of some sort at your fingertips, and time to read for pleasure, and I keep thinking that, for so many, these are luxuries. I'd never advocate guilt (that emotion certainly never helped anyone) but I am a fan of gratitude, and remembering to notice what I do have and what I am able to appreciate helps to alleviate any frustration or difficulty I experience now or may in these weeks ahead. 

On that note, how 'bout a list of things to bring a smile, offer perspective, or to be of service to you during this time? If nothing else, I'm seeing how connected we all really are and the beauty of humanity when we keep our focus on kindness, patience, and respect for every one of us, and if I can contribute to that energy, I'm in!

For bookworms and music-lovers:

1. Local libraries may be closed, but their online resources are going strong, including access to eBooks, downloadable audiobooks, eMagazines, and streaming movies online. (Louisville peeps: lfpl.org for info and access.)

2. Some bookstores are remaining open while they can, but I have heard many of them are offering alternative shopping options online AND providing local delivery. (Our beloved Carmichael's in Louisville will deliver to customers in the Louisville area if you call or order online.)

3. Audiobooks are a great option for listening to some amazing literature - I'm a fan of dish duty or even necklace-designing while listening to Audible. (And they offer a free 30-day trial for new listeners.) 

4. Some of my favorite authors (of kids books, specifically) are reading their beloved books on video - sort of a virtual story time, which is so fun. Oliver Jeffers, who has written so many of the greatest books, kicks off the fun today! 

5. Want some suggestions on what to read? I share some of my favorites (audio or actual) books on the Elva Fields blog. Check out the full collection of our Reading Lists here.

6. No concerts for a while, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a great dance party at home - check out our Elva Fields playlists on Spotify or tune in to your local radio stations who continue to support their communities with information and entertainment. (Love to Louisville Public Media!)

 For art appreciation and/or making (all ages!):

1. While there's nothing quite like a museum visit - truly, maybe one of my most favorite things to do ever - so many wonderful places are opening up their collections with virtual tours and behind-the-scenes fun, including:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City - a series of virtual tour videos AND tours just for kiddos by kiddos!

Musée d'Orsay, Paris - virtual tour

The Uffizi Gallery, Florence - virtual tour

British Museum, London - virtual tour

National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C. - virtual tours

And many smaller museums are offering ways to interact on social media, including local favorite Historic Locust Grove, where staff and volunteers will answer your questions and give you the dish on everything from the 18th-century house to the people who once lived in it!

2. My daughters and I, on a whim a few nights ago, found Bob Ross on Netflix and I have to admit it was incredibly (and very unexpectedly) soothing to watch paint brushed on canvas, creating "happy little trees" and even a tree named Clyde. It felt like art therapy in a way, really.

3. Prefer to make art or create something yourself? I'm working on an Elva Fields option for this, so stay tuned...but, in the meantime, a handful of artists, makers, or just all-around interesting humans I enjoy are offering print-outs to color, projects to do, and fun activities to share with kids at home. 

- Raising Wonder (free daily print-outs and easy activities via email)

 - Donald Drawbertson (quirky and fun print-out)

- beautifully talented artist Dorothy Shain is teaching art history lessons each week, along with fun projects and print-outs for at-home activities

- another wonderful artist, Sally King Benedict, has created some whimsical coloring sheets to print out and color on your own as well

- Painted Flower Challenge (for you at-home artists or bored-out-of-your-mind peeps looking to create with community)

- A sweet friend shares her homeschooling activities and ideas - complete with free print-outs and free trials to certain learning sites.

 For health/wellness:

1. Even though my sanity-saving, uplifting, high-fiving Barre 3 studio has closed for the time being, I still plan to enjoy classes from my very own spot at home via online access. There are HUNDREDS of classes of all lengths, skill levels, and styles, and a quick 30-minute mindful workout this weekend turned my whole day around. (A free 15-day trial is available now, too!)

 2. Therapy (or health care) from your own couch: I've heard really good things about Maven, Talkspace, and BetterHelp, and we even received an email from one of the editors at e-counseling.com,  the leading resource online for digital therapy, and its site is full of helpful information.  Full disclosure - I've never tried these. I can, however, vouch for the necessity and benefit of sharing my thoughts and feelings with a trusted listener, and these times have led me to do so more than ever. We are not alone, nor do we have to be, and I don't know where I'd be without the support of others who listen without judgment. 

3. So many 12-step recovery programs meet in churches and other spaces that are temporarily closed, and I keep thinking about how necessary these meetings are for those seeking various forms of wellness in their lives. While an online app is always available (specifically this one for Al-Anon, with speakers, slogans, and reminders, and most 12-step official websites offer online options) I've also seen several phone and online groups for sobriety support and recovery. 

4. Grocery stores are still open and serving their customers (thank you!) and most local restaurants are still able to offer carry-out options and/or delivery for their patrons, which is amazing. Here in Louisville, I know that Rainbow Blossom has had shelves stocked, Blue Dog and Red Hog are offering delicious carry-out options, Wiltshire Pantry (in addition to take-away orders) will take phone orders and walk them out to your car if you'd rather not come inside, and Mayan Cafe is preparing delicious boxed meals for pick-up to keep staff supported and diners happy!

5. Want to help those who can't afford these options for health or monetary reasons? Consider donating to local food banks (Dare to Care here in Louisville for those in critical need, including students who depend on school cafeterias for most meals) local Ronald McDonald Houses (who depend on volunteers to provide meals for their guests and are now having to close doors to outside help in order to keep everyone healthy) or Meals on Wheels to offer food to home-bound elderly populations. Our financial contribution makes a significant difference when we aren't able to offer our in-person efforts.

For fun and cheer:

1. Upworthy is my go-to for feel-good stories that prove how great this world can really be.

2. This guy is my new favorite Italian. Cannot stop laughing at the fun he makes at his own stove.

3. Two gals (Jennifer and Kristen) who are awesomely bringing joy to the world with each of their respective followings one post at a time.

4. This will never not be funny to me.

 

* Note: This list reflects my initial thoughts and personal opinions - I'd be happy for you to share some feedback, whether additional suggestions for ways to help and connect or perhaps corrections I may need to make to my current information. As always (and as with most of life) take what you like and leave the rest!

XO Emily

 

Join us for our next

Elva Awesome Instagram Sale

Sunday, January 26th / 9 pm EST

@elvaawesome

(fun vintage finds and fresh handmade designs, all at awesome prices!)