Last weekend, I made an art piece using a reclaimed barn wood board and some heart milagros. For anyone not familiar with milagros, they are small charms, usually made of mixed metals, tin, silver, gold, or other materials. They are traditionally used as votive objects on shrines and altars for prayer and healing in Mexico, other Latinx countries, and parts of the United States. Milagro usage in North, Central, and South America comes from ancient Iberians who inhabited the coastal regions of Spain. In addition to their use in prayer, milagros may also be carried for good luck and are sometimes used as decorative embellishments on mirrors, picture frames, and other items.

The heart milagro represents the healing of heart-related illnesses or gratitude for such healing, but it can also represent love, general healing, and gratitude. I chose heart milagros because I felt I could use a reminder to have gratitude, and although I am not a religious person, it can’t hurt to focus on love and healing, right?

I had already purchased the barn wood a few months ago to have something on which to paint things for my garden. I got the wood from a seller on Etsy, and I got the milagros from another Etsy shop.

Milagros are often attached to wood using small nails, as they typically have a hanging loop; however, I decided to use Gorilla Glue, since I didn’t have nails that were small enough to fit through the holes. It took a few tries to get the arrangement of the milagros the way I wanted. I finished it up by attaching hanging hardware on the back. I was happy with the final result!

Now, when I see my milagro art, I think about the things for which I am grateful. I also reflect on my health and that of my loved ones and wish for good health for all of us. It also reminds me to appreciate love in all its many forms. Wishing love, healing, and gratitude to all of my readers!