Red and green tissue paper. Wire stems. Elmer’s glue. Scissors. 6-year-old hands.Voila! Handmade roses for sale.

Phoebe and I crafted our fragile roses with love. We took the elevator down to the West Village streeet below and stood together on the street corner. We held the dozen roses in our mittened hands. Blew breath smoke into the air.

“A dollar a rose,” Phoebe called out to the crowds rushing by.

“Would you like a rose?” I said, smiling sweetly at a tall man in an overcoat. “How about you?” I turned to a tired-looking woman carrying a toddler.

They sold in minutes. Phoebe took off to the candy store while I dashed to the nearby curio shop and bough miniature creatures. My obsession at the time. I think without realizing it I felt the perfection of these small animals — tiny hippos, delicately wrought birds, microscopic giraffes — somehow balanced the crazy pot- and wine-soaked hippie parenting. It was the late 60s. The miniatures were perfect; the adults were not. We kids had to stick together, scrap together. We were resourceful. We earned with pure delight.

Where was that little girl?

Somewhere the innocent confidence, the ease of exchange got lost over time.

Somehow, the natural joy of creation and its value to others split apart. Art became noble; money became filth.

Only recently am I healing that split.

What’s your money story today? What was your money story when you were a kid?

Today I spoke with Sarah Graves, PhD., about art and commerce. About money and creativity. About the new paradigm. Sarah — who is a writer as well as a money and finance coach — is hosting a lively and groundbreaking series of tele-interviews called “Girlfriends Talk About Money.” Our conversation will “air” this Friday. Here’s the link:

http://girlfriendstalkaboutmoney.com/

Come join. Let me know your thoughts. And if you listen — you’ll hear a special offer I make toward the end. I invite you to participate. The first two people who do the assignment will win a 30-minute Creativity Consultation with me, a value of $97. We can talk money, memoir, the art of the ask — you name it.

In preparation, I invite you to write a childhood memory or moment when you sold something you created. Share your stories. Let’s circulate that creative currency and fire up the conversation. Isn’t it time writers figured out their worth, and entrepreneurs got in touch with their unique stories?

Spread the wealth of the written word. Speak your truth. And don’t be afraid to Ask.