Art Therapy for Broads Abroad : Love Circles : Exercise #8

::If your sister hits you, don't hit her back.  Parents always catch the second person.:: 
- Michael, age 10

As odd as it may sound, Michael's parents have taught him a very important resiliency skill.  The last six years in Texas, I worked exclusively with very high risk kids in extremely tough home situations.  The laws that we all believe are meant to protect children, unfortunately leave them vulnerable to some very distorted dynamics.  In twenty-five years of counseling, only four children, who were being physically and/or sexually assaulted in their homes, were ever fully protected. 

Acknowledging this fact, that legally we protect families, i.e., especially adult males, over children's welfare, was desperately heartbreaking for me.  With limited alternatives, The Little Level 5 Tornadoes that came to the alternative elementary school where I counseled, helped me create some very fun projects that taught them how to survive their experiences.  

Today's Secret Message of Love: I trust myself!

Love Circles © News From A Broad, 2012

with special thanks to the Super Heroes Power Club founders : Kenny, Karen, Jessie, Sam, and Alli, the bravest kids in The Universe!

Materials:

• Scissors
• Any circle form, from a Hula Hoop to a large embroidery hoop (interior portion only)
• Fabric : For a Hula Hoop, 12 t-shirts : For embroidery hoop, 12 large fabric napkins, bandanas, or 2 t-shirts.  

NOTE: Different colors and textures will make the Love Circles POP!

 

Process:

Create the Warp

• For a Hula Hoop, using a large t-shirt, cut just under the arm pits.  Cut the tube into 1" strips.  These will be stretched over the hoop.  For an embroidery hoop, cut a large bandana into 1" strips.  These will be tied onto the embroidery hoop.
• For a Hula Hoop, begin stretching the tube 1" strips over the hoop, creating a cross initially, continuing until approximately 10-12 tubes are stretched evenly around the hoop.  For an embroidery hoop, tie each end of each 1" strip, end-to-end until you have 10-12 strips tied to the hoop.  
• Make sure the strips are tight.  In both cases, your warp will look like spokes on a bicycle tire.

Create the Weft

• For a Hula Hoop, cut the rest of your t-shirts under the arm pits, open up one seam, and cut 1" strips.  For an embroidery hoop, cut the remaining napkins or bandanas into 1" strips.
• Gathering any two warp loops in the center, tie one end of a 1" strip onto this point.
• Weave into a tight spiral.
• Overlap the next strip, and continue until the spiral is complete.

Options:
Added touches:

• Use beautiful yarns as the warp or weft
• Tie trinkets, like sea shells or beads, onto your Love Circle

Conclusions:
Our most sacred shape is the circle.  The are found in nature, in sacred spaces around the world, and as a mathematical function for understanding the chaotic order of the Universe.  Use the Broad Dream Notes as a guide for processing this exercise.

Create the life you want!

The Broad  
 

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