Putting the Pieces Together; Mending What's Broken:
how the metaphors and art of Kintsugi can help us
First, you might be wondering what is Kintsugi?
Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese art in which broken pottery is mended with glue and gold honoring and highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. The belief is the pottery is stronger and more valuable after the breakage and mending.
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Kintsugi is a powerful metaphor and art form to explore layers of meaning and an invitation to look at the pieces in new ways as we put them back together.
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Narrative Practices honor and acknowledge the layers of influence that impact our view of self, other and the world around us.
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Melding these two practices provides an opportunity to reflect, explore the pieces, and begin to create a preferred story.
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Imagine the power of our preferred narrative of our lives rather than the often dominant stories placed upon us by society, culture, gender, families, systems and surviving traumas. Imagine what can happen when we journey together and see ourselves and others as more than a 'single' story or stereotype.
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This workshop incorporates visual, auditory and sensory learning styles through silent reflection, journaling, verbal discussion and the kinesthetic hands-on experience of Kintsugi.
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Why might you wish to participate?
Putting the Pieces Together; Mending What’s Broken is an opportunity for insightful acknowledgement, exploration and re-authoring to open up possibilities. The hands-on art process of Kintsugi also provides potential for each of us to see our own strengths and skills in action, and to remember what has helped us get through challenging times while also perhaps letting go of the pieces which no longer serve us.
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What to expect:
First, we explore: the Metaphors of Kintsugi supported by Narrative Practices.
Brief introduction to the art and principles of Kintsugi.
Brief introduction to Narrative Therapy Practices.
Through reflections, journaling prompts and small group discussion we will explore the metaphors of Kintsugi, broken pieces and the glue that assists us to mend.
Each question is an invitation and you are welcome to participate in whatever way feels comfortable for you.
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Next we Put the Pieces Together and Mend what was Broken through the Physical Art Practice of Kintsugi:
Hands-on session you will be guided through each step in the art process.
In our session, there is no wrong way to do Kintsugi; it is all about noticing what comes to mind while doing each step.
No matter what happens with the pieces, there is an opportunity for learning and observations.
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Each participant will be invited to break and mend a bowl.
Together, we will reflect on questions such as:
What do you notice as you break the bowl?
What might you hope to break and repair?
What do you notice in the pieces? What might they signify for you?
What skills are you using as you glue the pieces?
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The hands-on experience of mending the broken pieces assists participants to see their skills in action and highlights their preferred story of pieces of their lives (or others lives) mended together through the process.
Participants keep their bowls as a tangible reminder.
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If in person, All supplies provided.
If via Zoom, a list of supplies is provided. Supplies cost between $12 and $15 per person.
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Timeframe: 4 to 6 hours, or full day options are available.
Sessions can also can be broken into two, or three 2 hour sessions
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Where? Sessions are currently offered in 3 ways:
* In person (with out of doors options weather permitting),
* Virtually via Zoom
* Hybrid: with some participants in person and some via Zoom.
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Testimonials:
“Kristin facilitates and gently guides with attention and sensitivity, allowing each person their own experience in a safe setting, successfully balancing individual needs and experiences with group standards and integrity. A competent, compassionate leader who honors the art's origins and significance. Rachel A.
“Kristin's open, inclusive, loving spirit quickly created a safe and enjoyable space for us to explore the ancient art of Kintsugi and ourselves. Through her adept facilitation we experienced the program as a highly supportive, well connected community. ~Catherine Rosensteel, Well for the Journey Coordinator
Who is the Facilitator? Kristin Pedemonti, Master’s Narrative Therapy & Community Work is a Narrative Practitioner specializing in piecing together preferred stories across a wide range of challenges. She has worked with persons with lived experiences of childhood trauma, domestic violence, trafficking and war. As well as with caregivers, creatives, educators, frontline workers, healthcare professionals, and teachers. She also works with couples, mother/daughters who wish to repair their relationships.
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Kristin is a also an International Storyteller, Speaker and the recipient of National Storytelling Network’s International Story Bridge Award for her work across cultures. She has presented and performed on 5 continents and 20 countries from Albania to Bali to Colombia to France to Kenya and her favorite so far, Iran.
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She is also a Storytelling Consultant at the World Bank where she teaches upper-level staff how to tell the human stories behind the data. Kristin is the author of three books, most recently A Bridge of Stories which chronicles her journey creating and facilitating a decolonized seven year volunteer literacy project in Belize in which she returned banned stories to their rightful owners. Kristin was also a finalist in TED Talks Talent Search, watch by clicking. You can learn more about her latest work here: www.steeryourstory.com
Contact Kristin here: storytellerpk@gmail.com
Or here Kristin@steeryourstory.com
215-541-4535 cell​
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Optional Add-Ons for On-going Support:
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Private Facebook Group Forum
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Follow-up Zoom video group or individual coaching sessions
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Your options:
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Scheduled dates and times:
check calendar for a city near you: Events -
Schedule your own group or one on one session
Use the Book Me Tool.
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Investment: Sliding Scale, those who are able to pay more support those with fewer resources so those who need sessions can receive assistance.
Suggested $100 per person, limited to 20 persons in a group.
Kristin understands budget constraints, so please do email and we will work together to make this work for your group or individuals.