I used to own a key chain that was a particular favorite. It was the shape of a Celtic Cross and stamped into the metal were the words of the first verse of psalm 23, otherwise known as The Shepherd’s prayer.

The Psalm is beautiful, and it was a continual reminder for me; however, this was a favorite keychain for practical reasons as well as spiritual ones. One, its shape. While feeling through my purse I could easily find my keys without ever having to look for them. I would feel for the cross and voila, there it was! Second, its size. The cross was just a little larger than my car key. One note here, this was back in 2005 so, I still had a car that had to be opened with a key! No automatic buttons to press, it was all manual. Because of the size of the cross I never had a problem pulling it from its burial at the bottom of my purse. Third, the key ring that was attached to the cross was a good, medium size that easily fit many keys.

All in all, there were a few characteristics of my Celtic Cross key chain to make it highly favored. I also had several incidents where I would accidentally try to put the cross in my car door’s lock. It had a similar feel as my car key. Times when I would be looking around or not looking directly at the lock, I would inadvertently try to stick the cross in the lock and not my car key. That is what eventually grabbed my attention and gave me an idea for a cross design. From those inadvertent mistakes, I drew a sketch and started making cross key designs in different mediums. I started with polymer clay.

As I learned more about soldering metals and wire wrapping, I started applying the design to metals. I even took antique keys and made a few cross keys from them. This design has been gradually growing since the initial idea came to my mind in 2005. Now I am creating pendants in copper and silver. My goal is to eventually make bracelets and earrings.

The Cross Key has another important facet to its design, its underlying symbolic significance. The cross was originally a pagan symbol; however, after the death of Christ, it became a highly significant symbol of Christianity as it recalled the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. There are a few basic types of crosses that have evolved throughout the history of Christianity. The Crux immissa, or Latin cross, is the basis of my Cross Key design.

The cross is the key to the knowledge of the kingdom of heaven that Jesus Christ spoke of during his ministry on earth. To be a disciple of Christ is to take up one’s cross and follow him which he said in Matthew 16:24, “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (NRSV) This is a call to self-sacrifice. Dying to oneself is a complete surrender to God.