5 Tips for a balanced creative life

I came upon this post on Maternal Spark today and thought her words on the creative life were so right on, that as a friend, I had to share them with you (in my own words).

1. Write it down!

This is also a lesson I have learned from my MIL, who always has a notebook or index cards in her purse. She is always ready to record what has inspired her. Also, for those of us addicted to our cellphones – I often save notes on my phone.

2. Let it go.

There are always other things that you “should” be doing when you sit down to actually get started on that creative project you’ve been dreaming about. I never realize how dirty my house is until I sit down at my computer with an essay/blog post in mind. Each day we are faced with choices, what we decide shapes our day and ultimately who we are. I want to make decisions that shape my creative spirit, more than I need to have a clean house.

3. Take time out.

For yourself. It can be a nap, a drive, a walk….or an Artist’s date.

4. Avoid brain suckers.

TV. TMZ. It is an unfair trade to us. In return for mind-numbing junk that clutters and confuses our creative spirit, we trade our value time.

5. Get organized/prepared.

My favorite creative times are when I’m able to prepare some – clean off my space, get a cup of water & some tea, fire up the laptop and kick Dan out of the house.

Tags: Art Heals, Crafty, From another, Spirituality, Writing

Be Stronger Than Your Excuses

So, you know how we all have those things that we want to do….learn a skill, travel the world, start a garden, take an art class….but we never have time to do them?!  Well, one of mine is to craft and sell my crafts to make money to buy more things to craft with.  I’ve been talking about this for a couple years and have now decided that I’m done bullshitting.

So, I’ve started….kinda.  With a couple of awesome gal pals, I’ve applied to Spring Bada Bing!  I’ve also opened an Etsy shop with a friend, our store is named RatherBee (nothing is up, yet).   I also decided to use my other vanity site to showcase (and maybe someday blog) my craftiness.

Yeah, I know, my vanity site looks like it was done in 5 minutes (it was), and the pics posted look like I took them myself in my bathroom (I did), and there is nothing to buy at my Etsy shop.  BUT, its a start to being stronger than all my excuses about why I can’t do this.

Tags: Art Heals, Crafty, Friends

Found Poems, in my mailbox

Yesterday I received a small, unexpected package in the mail.  I was confused to see the return address was for Annie Dillard.  The only Annie Dillard I know is “Annie Dillard the author of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek and other fabulous things”.  And, by know I mean I know of her.  I have been reading her writings since I was 14 or 15 years old. I can easily remember the first essay I read by Annie Dillard – it was a sunny afternoon at MACC practice with my friends and Mrs. Wood, one of the most influential teachers I have ever had.  I still feel excitement as I think about the incredible details and descriptions we poured ourselves over that afternoon.  Flooded with those memories, I quickly opened the package to find Mornings Like This, Found Poems, by Annie Dillard, a book that has been sitting on my Amazon Wish List.  Inside, I found a short note saying, “For Alicia Farrell, From Annie Dillard”.  I have no idea why or how Annie Dillard sent me this book, but I am grateful for the gift.  I am grateful for the memories it has brought to the front of my mind, memories that inspire me to be creative and give myself to the writing life.

Tags: Art Heals, Celebrities, Reading, Writing

An Inspiration

About a year ago I was in a very cute shop in C’ville. I came across this watercolor painting that has a touching poem about love on it. Tonight I finally bought a damn frame for this piece of beauty. On the back of the art there is a love note from the artist, this is how it starts:

“during the most painful time of my life, i made a promise to myself. instead of numbing my pain, and avoiding it, i would turn into it, feel what was going on inside of me, and explore it. at times the emotion was too much for me. filling me up so completely that i needed to let some spill out.”

She goes on to say that the “spilling out” became bonesigharts.

This is so fitting for me to read tonight, since I just spent the past couple of hours sipping wine with a friend and dreaming of what we want to spill out of our pain.

Tags: Art Heals, Crafty, Richmond

A friendly reminder

Just wanting to remind all Anne Lamott fans that she is coming to Richmond this spring!

Tags: Art Heals, Celebrities, Reading, Spirituality, Writing

Weekend Plans

This weekend I will be:

Making curtains for my sister

Making at least 6 jewelry sets

Knitting until my fingers fall off

Holiday Baking (maybe)

Drinking lots of wine

If you would like to join me in crafting and drinking, come on over.

Tags: Art Heals, Crafty

Inspiring the Creative Spirit

Crafting holiday gifts has got me thinking about creativity. Nothing has seemed to bring “healing” into my life like trying to connect with my creative spirit. Though I’m just making simple jewelry and knit gifts, each completed project brings a little bit of peace into my life. But, even though it brings so much goodness into my day, there are times when I need some inspiration to get started with a project, or to have the courage to do something different. I know a lot of you also enjoy being creative – with crafts, writing, blogs, relationships, baking, work, home decorating and much more. What are some sources of inspiration for you? Songs? Poems? Movies? Books? People?

Tags: Art Heals, Crafty, Spirituality, Writing

New Ink

I went to River City Tattoo tonight to get some new ink. I have a bird on my back, carrying a banner for Jarrett.

Dan took this picture as soon as the tattoo was finished, as you can see my skin is red and irritated. I’ll post a new picture when everything looks better.

Tags: Art Heals, Family, Insanity