Metal and meaning

I'm fascinated by the way people create meaning from the seemingly mundane.

Here's a story about how a metal worker, Shane Prukop, adapted his skill in producing industrial parts to create Sacred Cut, which sells custom-cut tags with spiritual designs. His motivation: "to integrate his artistic talent, engineering skill and spiritual beliefs." The article has lots of good stuff, including the educational function of jewelry, the transformative value of spiritual dog tags and Shane's plan to give part of the profits to charity or perhaps start a nonprofit himself.

For more, check out the above-linked piece in the Ventura County Reporter, which in true Southern California style chose, out of the diverse range of available spiritual symbols, to picture the happy face. You can visit Shane's site here and, if you're truly dedicated, read the quick write-up on my blog on spirituality and material culture, The Blingdom of God.