Beauty That Points Beyond- Jessica from TelosArt {Guest Post} (AND the Giveaway!)

In a world that craves the true, the good, and the beautiful, is a joy to host the fourth Why Make Beautiful Things series here at Look to Him and Be Radiant. You can read the original post with my thoughts on beauty here and read all the guest posts in the previous series here. Today I have the honor of sharing the work and reflections of Jessica from Telos Art, maker of jewelry and paintings and my very favorite Liturgical Calendars. I think you'll enjoy reading her wisdom about the WHY behind her creativity. We'll be featuring guest posts all week, and a huge giveaway of beautiful things on Friday, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. We'd love to hear from you here or on Instagram why YOU make beautiful things- Chime in on today's post!!

Throughout life I have been captivated by the visual world. As a child I would often map the layout of a building in my mind or on paper, trying to make sense of each space and how they were connected. Converting to Catholicism was a similar process of piecing together the truths I had heard growing up. After completing architecture school, where modernism was king, Catholicism encapsulated my pursuit for truth, beauty, and goodness...both in my faith and in my aesthetic.

Image Courtesy of  31Four, Inc.

“For all its rooted loveliness, the world has no continuing city here; it is an outlandish place, a foreign home, a session in via to a better version of itself--and it is our glory to see it so and to thirst until Jerusalem comes home at last. We were given appetites, not to consume the world and forget it, but to taste its goodness and hunger to make it great.”

This quote from Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Reflection, by Robert Farrar, speaks in part to the vision behind my work. The beauty of this world is meant to give us a glimpse of the truth and beauty beyond. While we are just "passing through" the truth, beauty, and goodness still has a purpose.



Visiting beautiful churches, hearing sacred chant, even studying the geometry of seashells can point to something beyond. Something greater. I think we all want more of those reminders in our lives.

The definition of telos is an ultimate end or aim. As Christians, we are called to be a new creation. Many of my necklaces are designed around vintage medals. Taking old, vintage, forgotten jewelry and bring them back to life is not only fun, it's symbolic.



"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." 
--Ephesians 4:16

This verse from Ephesians 4:16 has always been an encouragement to me, especially when I felt like "making pretty things" was trivial. But being able to design jewelry, modern liturgical calendars, and other unique resources is a joy. I'm so grateful I get to share in some creative acts as my work. Through Telos Design and the Telos Art Shop my hope is to join others in our journey of faith.

If we recognize that our lives are not the end itself, but rather a "session in via to a better version...", then truth, beauty, and goodness each play a part in that journey. And they are anything but trivial. The music we enjoy, the jewelry we wear, or the art we hang on our walls can be an opportunity for us to live for our telos. 

We are all on a journey and the true beauty of this world is a means to a greater end.





I'm honored to get to share Jessica's words of wisdom with you.  Please go visit her shop and social media, and join the conversation here in the comments or on today's Instagram post. And don't forget to come back every day this week for more creative wisdom from a set of beautiful women makers! Sign up for the Telos Art Shop monthly newsletter to receive a liturgical calendar download each month as well as shop updates:

Find Jessica:

Shop- Telos Art Shop

Instagram- @telosart

Facebook- Telos Design

Jessica is generously donating a set of her brand new Mysteries of the Rosary window clings to our Beautiful Things Giveaway! You'll be able to enter to win here on the blog and on Instagram, 

Enter the Beautiful Things Giveaway:
You can enter the giveaway here on the blog, and for more chances to win you can enter on Instagram as well! I hope you enjoy visiting all these lovely and generous makers, and know that they appreciate you following along with them on your favorite social media tools.

The winner of the Beautiful Things Giveaway will receive:
$55 Credit towards a Doll and Guaranteed spot in 2019 from Marcy of Marzipantz
8x10 Sacred Heart of Jesus Print from Tricia of Providential Co.
Red Sacred Heart Tote Bag from Rakhi of Rakstar Designs
Set of Cards and Stickers from Shari of Catholic Paper Goods
Set of Mysteries of the Rosary Window Clings from Jessica of Telos Art
Any In-stock Stamp of Your Choice from Katie of Look to Him and Be Radiant

One winner will be chosen using random generator from combination of entries on blog and Instagram. US only and must be 18 or older to win. Winner must meet entry guidelines. Winner has 24 hours to respond or new winner will be chosen. Giveaway closes at midnight Central time Sunday, June 30, 2019. (And if you're viewing this in your email browser, you'll have to click over to the blog to enter using the Rafflecopter giveaway widget!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway