Painting is the first medium I explored in my 20s which made me realize being creative was therapeutic for me. Embracing the creativity in me feeds my soul...I have always known that. I love to create items with my hands. I took many Tole painting classes in the 90s. I even had my work schedule changed so I would have an alternative work schedule which allowed me to take off most Fridays. I did not mind working 10 hour days if it meant I could have the Friday to paint! After my daughter Laura was born and I became a stay at home mom, I continued painting but discovered scrapbooking. With limited creative hours, I spent more time scrapbooking and less time painting. The mediums I have explored over the years have been many and have introduced me to many creative people. These days, most of my creative time is spent with up-cycling felted wool sweaters and vintage finds like embroidered linens. Many of the items I create using felted wool and vintage finds have been to sell at the craft shows and my Etsy shop (which I really need to make time to properly update). I also create many things just for me or my friends/family.
One of the things I learned when I took Kelly Rae Roberts e-course, Flying Lessons Tips and Tricks to HelpYour Creative Business Soar was to make items I truly love. Don't over-think the process of whether the item I am creating to sell will in fact sell. Will people like it? I realized I was second guessing myself. I think the most important lesson I learned from that e-course is to create what I like...be true to myself. Every item I create with the intention to sell is created exactly the same way I create items for me or my friends and family. I love listening to music when I create. I don't like to work in silence...I have to have music. It's an essential ingredient in my creative process. I am so grateful my little studio is in the basement of my home because I can enjoy listening to my music as I create late into the night. Although, many nights I have stayed up late "working" on many items for my little business, it does not feel like work at all.
Staying focused is sometimes an issue for me. I have more projects in my mind than time. Sometimes, I have to make time to work on other projects just for me. I struggle with allowing myself that time. One of the things I like to do just for me is working on mix media projects.
Mix media gives me the freedom to explore and just play. I can combine my love of paper, fabric, lace, stencils and of course, paints! One of my favorite classes was the She Art Workshop by Christy Tomlinson I took last year. This is what I created...for me.
Mix media artists who have inspired me have been Christy Tomlinson, Donna Downey, Kelly Rae Roberts and Julie Nutting. One of the instructors I was introduced at Christy Tomlinson's, the 12 Arsty Ornaments of Christmas e-course was Jeanne Oliver. When I visited her blog, I was immediately drawn to the e-course she was offering.
The e-course started this last Monday, January 9th (although registration will remain open through January 16th). I highly recommend this course. It's is so much more than just tutorials on how to create a vintage or altered journal (week 1). It is inspirational and has touched my creative soul. After I finish my current paper garland/dress and vintage hankie origami dresses (because it currently occupies all the space on my table) I plan on creating various mix media projects. I have started little piles of papers and elements to use in my vintage journal I plan to create. I am so glad I am taking this 4 week e-course...
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