The Beauty of the Cross

I’ve met some pretty amazing folks on Twitter, and my friend Julie Clark of Clark Crosses is one of my all-time favorites.

When I first visited her website, I was blown away by the beautiful, intricate crosses she designs and cuts out with her scroll saw.

Wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

There’s something about crosses.

My hubby is out in the garage right this minute creating rustic crosses out of various exotic and common woods.

The other night, we got to talking…

Crosses were instruments of torture and death. In the day when they were used as a mode of execution, I suspect anyone who displayed one on a wall would be thought morbid and flat-out strange.

I mean, think about it! Would you wear a golden electric chair around your neck? I don’t think so!

The cross went from repulsive to ravishing on the day Jesus died on one.

Jesus made the cross an instrument of grace.

I’ve never been a fan of crosses with Jesus still hanging on them.

The beauty of the cross is that Jesus no longer hangs there!

He lived. He died. He rose. He ascended. And one day, He will return!

My friend Julie understands the beauty of the cross.

But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.” Luke 15:22

She understands that every aspect of our lives is touched by the cross.

She understands that the abundant Christian life has the cross as its foundation.

She understands that, without the cross, she’d be lost and without hope.

Meet my friend, Julie Clark of Azle, Texas.

LeeBird: How did you get started making such intricate wooden crosses?

Julie: In 1996,  I was a stay at home Navy wife and mom.  My husband was at sea for months at a time.  Our Christmas tree was bare, and I didn’t have the money to buy ornaments, so I decided to make some.  I was invited to an ornament exchange at church, and I brought one of my ornaments, which was in the shape of an oak leaf with a cross at the top.  The women loved it and asked me to bring more to church!  In two weeks, I sold $200 worth of ornaments and this started my little business! 

By Christmas of 2001, I was sitting at my computer and praying to God that I was kind of tired of making ornaments and wanted to try something new.  The next morning my computer crashed and I lost all my designs!  I was confused and asked God what this meant.  Within the next four weeks, He gave me eight new large wall cross designs and Clark Crosses was born!

LeeBird: Describe the process of making your crosses from start to finish. 

Julie:  Ideas come to me in the strangest of places.  While I am sleeping, driving, during sermons on Sundays, or in conversation with others. 

 I sit at my computer and start drawing in a program called Corel Draw.  I love this program because I can manipulate my lines any way I want!  I spend hours tweaking designs until it is not only pleasing to my eye but structurally sound. That is what happens when you are the daughter of a creative mother and an engineer! 

I print out my design and lay it on a board with some carbon paper underneath and trace  the cross.  I then drill holes in each area that I want to cut out and then the fun begins of cutting the cross out! 

This is the time I pray for the recipient of the cross. [LeeBird loves this!]

  After I am finished, I sand the cross using a 220 grit sand paper and dip my cross in orange oil.  I love the smell of orange oil and it is non- toxic.  This feeds the wood and brings out the beautiful natural colors.  I dry the cross on a rack and brand my initials on the back.  Then it is ready to go!

LeeBird: Which of your crosses is your favorite and why? 

Julie: The Vine Cross is my favorite!  I was taking care of a dear friend in the last six months of her life and I told her I didn’t know why it was my favorite.  She looked at me with a “DUH!” expression and explained to me that it was how I reached out and touched other people’s lives!  Candy Howard was an amazing woman,  and I miss her dearly.

LeeBird: Do you have any new products on the horizon in 2012? 

Julie:  I never know what God has in store for me, but He continues to bless me regularly with designs.  I just made a design called “He Saves Me,” and I’m very excited about it!  I keep praying about other ways to share my designs, like through silver.  I’m trying to patiently wait for God to guide me in that!

"And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." Luke 12:7

LeeBird: Why crosses?

Julie: Crosses have always been a part of my life.  I have been called a cradle Christian in that I have always been a believer.  I can’t imagine my life without the love and support of God.

LeeBird: Give us a little glimpse of the woman behind the crosses?

Julie: I never meet a stranger!  I love people!  I love to smile at everyone I see at Walmart!  I am a rascal at church, and I say that my momma angels love me despite who I am!  I tend to be the “call it like I see it” kind of woman who enjoys trying to make people laugh.  I love to sing and go to thrift stores, and I love to turn trash into treasure!

LeeBird: How can folks purchase your work? 

Julie: I have a website, http://www.clarkcrosses.com where I  sell my crosses.  I have tried to sell them in stores, but I get so nervous trying to sell to store owners that IF I drank, I would certainly want a cold beer!  I have no idea why I have so much anxiety about selling to stores!

LeeBird: Give the story behind the VINE cross, the one I’m giving away to a lucky commenter!

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Julie:  I can’t believe  you are asking me this question!  I am so deeply intertwined (pun intended!) with this design, and I truly don’t know why.  If my name was translated into cross language, it would be spelled out in this design!  The vine cross is who I am.  It’s that simple.  It’s where my heart is.

See why I love this girl? She is the real deal, and her crosses are works of art.

To celebrate the kick-off of my new website, I’m giving away Julie’s favorite design, the VINE cross.

You have lots of ways to enter. (Choose one or do them all!)

1. Leave a comment on this post.

2. Follow @Clarkcrosses and @LeeBirdFree on Twitter and comment here to let me know.

3. Like my PrayerGifts page on Facebook

4. Visit Julie’s website and comment here letting me know which of her designs is your personal favorite! It’ll be hard to pick. I think the “Fleur di Lis” is mine because of my Louisiana roots.