Salve!
Welcome, everyone!
As a Catholic, I believe we have been given this earth to be good stewards of it and that means our gifts and talents as well. That's what I have set out to do! I am a creator of many things - handmade garments, artwork, poetry, and much more - and I want to share those gifts (and the skills required) with YOU!

Here is the crux of the issue:
Our world is slowly losing its grasp of the beautiful.

I believe this is due to a lack of wonder but also, a lack of willingness (not ability) to create - to make things with our hands. We have been so swept up by a modern consumerist culture (i.e. "fast-food," "fast-fashion," etc.) that we seldom give back through our God-given talents.

We are accustomed to buying cheap clothes with the expectation of throwing them away as soon as they wear out. (I will forever be astounded by the amount of people who do not know how to sew on a button!)

We sacrifice our health for the sake of consuming poorly-made food because it can be made quickly instead of benefiting from a home-cooked meal with loved ones.

We "celebrate" the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass by going through the motions, expecting God to wave a magic wand and fix all the problems in our lives without giving back to Him.

In essence, our lives are too fast: spiritually, mentally, and physically. We only care about the speed and ease at which our lives progress, instead of the quality of the life we live. Since our lives have been given to us so that we can give ourselves for others, what does that say about how much/little we value those people whom God has gifted to us?

As a high school Latin teacher at Chesterton Academy of the Sacred Heart with a masters in English Literature and a bachelors in Literature, History, and creative writing, I have an innate love for traditional ways of living. I believe these values are a balm to a modern world, struggling to find its purpose. In addition to promoting traditional Catholic values (through art and literature) on my Facebook page, I sell handmade wares that are meant to last on this Etsy shop. I also share videos on my youtube channel to teach others how to master skills that our society has lost, due to an over-industrialized culture.

My family has encouraged me to share my ability to create, so I want to encourage you to discover your own talents by opening a window into my own. God gave you gifts to share with the world. Help me promote traditional living in a world that is sorely lacking creativity!

God bless you all and thank you!

Deus vult!
Ad Jesum per Mariam,

Anna Berlinger