SNAIL COLLECTION

"Nwod wols"

I have a piece of art framed on my desk. I see it every day. It’s a dark mustard block print of a snail, with the inscription "nwod wols" swirling around its spiral shell.

Before I explain that, let me take you back to 2023.

I was in Texas at a creativity retreat, remembering how to slow down and make things for the sake of making. One of the exercises was gelli printing. You cut out designs, letters, and use found things like leaves and seeds to build layered prints. I’d never done anything like it.

I was missing my kids, so I decided to make them something, their names, so they could frame them for their rooms. 

In a rush to make it happen, I cut out the letters, picked the colors, and started printing.

I held up my masterpiece and read: “elilil.” 

Wait. That’s not my kid's name.

My brain glitched. How did this happen? Where did I go wrong? 

Speed. Got me again.

In my rush to pick the right colors and textures and get the scale right, I completely neglected the most basic detail, spelling her name correctly. Oh, and flipping the whole thing so it didn’t print as a mirror image of what I intended.

Slowing down is like a software update I’m too busy to install. It would make all my old programs run more smoothly, but I just can’t seem to find the time to do it. 

Until something crashes.
Until something glitches.
And I’m reminded all over again. 

"Nwod wols"

This Snail Collection is my wearable reminder to slow down. To move with intention. To savor. To enjoy. And maybe, just maybe, prevent a few of those crashes and glitches along the way.