Alicia Baker - No Heart Untouched
When you pray the rosary, what rosary beads do you grab?
I’m sure that as you read that you knew your answer the minute you saw the word “rosary”. As Catholics this is a vital part of our practice and a personal part as well. My rosaries are not ones that carry a tremendous amount of “glitz or glam”, in fact at first glance they can appear to be “silly” to most. But the reason I have it is what matters.
My rosaries are made of plastic white and yellow beads, almost as if they were made at a camp. Its simple and innocent but most important they were a subtle gift from my friends over at the St. Anthony’s Shelter (Bronx, NY) run by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. My students and I would frequent the shelter to share meals and fellowship with the guys there and on one occasion I was offered a gift from a basket of homemade craft style rosaries.
I say all of this because our personal rosary beads carry so much value, more than we can ever truly explain. They carry spiritual presence, memories, intentions and are forever connected to where we were when we discovered prayer on such a level.
This week’s creation comes from Alicia Baker, a creative who makes beautiful rosaries, cards, necklaces, ornaments, and more. What drew me to her work was her rosary, specifically the Divine Mercy knotted rosary. The beautiful detail behind the work is wonderful yet humble.
At first creating was just an outlet, I just love to experiment & try new things. But the Holy Spirit was really working on me to bring these things on my heart to more than just my family & friends. That’s when I knew I had to pursue this for more than just a hobby & start my own business.
Alicia Baker
Seeing art like this excites me, not only because of the art, but the potential of the art’s impact. I saw these rosaries on her Etsy page, and I immediately thought of future experiences of individuals being introduced to the rosary. Whether it’s a child’s first rosary from school or young adults growing in faith or maybe adults coming back to their faith. No matter the circumstance each person’s journey is unique and wonderful.
Now imagine if the rosary that you witness is not only spiritually beautiful, in its true design, but is also a work of art. Art that makes you truly want to pray. Pray, perhaps in a unique way that you have never felt before. It’s almost like that great book you wish to reread. The cover art and the text are wonderfully laid out and when you see it you are suddenly dying to find time to reopen it and jump back in. What if we treated our prayer life the same way? With the same excitement?
Well it seems to me that Alicia has been treating her pray life in a special way and we are fortunate to see the fruits of that work through her company No Heart Untouched.
Inspired by St. Marie Goretti and the message that St. Marie left “no heart untouched”. Alicia was ready to create and the wheels began moving in her heart and mind.
After having my 2nd child, while I was home on maternity leave is when No Heart Untouched really started. I read an article about the Pilgrimage of Mercy with the relics of my confirmation Saint, St Maria Goretti. A priest had commented that anyone who came to venerate her relics or came with a special petition, that she left “no heart untouched”. I realized at that exact moment I was meant to do the same.
Alicia Baker
Another aspect that I love about Alicia’s work is that it is so hard to categorize which, in today’s artistic climate, is a tough accomplishment. We as creatives are always struggling to stay out of any artistic “box or style” that can limit us. Alicia seems to notice that and, from what I gather, she has naturally developed as an artist of diverse materials and projects.
Truly though, the icing on the proverbial cake is that Alicia cares about the power of prayer and what her art can do for other spiritual lives. With the recent passing of her Grandmother, Alicia has taken this vocation even deeper in meaning and has fully committed herself to making work that represents her faith and culture in ways that would make her customers, family and friends proud.
Anything I create, usually has the purpose of bringing the mind to focus on Christ’s beauty & His love & mercy that endlessly pours out for us. I love thinking of new ways to help the domestic church flourish & making items that will establish a prayerful home.
Alicia Baker
For more on Alicia and No Heart Untouched visit her Etsy page: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NoHeartUntouched
And follow her on Instagram and Facebook – @noheartuntouched
Also be sure to be on the lookout for her own webpage which will fully showcase all her work and future projects, coming soon.
