The oh-so-not smallness of The Small

Assortment of small print fabrics from binskystudio.

Fabric watches by Julie Arkell.

Fabric brooches by Julie Arkell.

Fabric covered buttons.

From seemingly out of nothing, nowhere, I was overtaken by an obsession for little bits of leftover fabric in tiny prints.  Day upon day I tracked scrap packets on etsy, chased images of art that made glorious use of such prints and similar remnants.  At some point I realized I was nourished by, enamored of, The Small.

The Welsh author and felting artist, Karin Celestine, invites her followers to post their Small Beauties daily.  These joys may include the sunrise, a rock, a flower, cuddling a beloved creature, something chocolate (or, as we write it in the Celestine world, choklit).  These delights are in no way less for their simplicity, the way in which they often exist for free, their lack of influence on a seismograph or their fleeting nature.  I challenge you to quantify the sweetness of ripe mango slices or a kind word.

A scrap of patterned cotton that would fit in the circle of a thumb and forefinger could not be the cause for exhaled tension, could it?  Well, yes.  Thus have I launched myself as a self-proclaimed smalloligist.  Of course I will require new business cards.

Regardless of what anyone tells you, none among us is made healthier by frenzy.  All that is loud and unloving contributes to every sort of affliction.  Small is known to hold hands with quiet.  They understand each other perfectly.  Attempts to seduce us to noise and The Big go on without cease. 

Whether or not there exists a scrap of fabric too small to be used is a question without answer.  There is not, nor will ever be, a beauty too small.