Feeling Blah? Here are 5 tips for keeping the Creative Fuel alive

Image via WikipediaWell, we're mid way through January. This is the point when the weather has been gross for weeks on end and springtime seems like a myth, a joke, a fantasy that will never come true. The snow is now far from pristine. Once white flakes are now mixed with sand and gravel in an effort to provide traction for commuters. It's smooshy, slushy nature causes it to splash sidewalks and automobiles with it's dirty sludge.

Now, when we are dealing with kids suffering from cabin fever, when we are immersed in soggy socks and pant cuffs and when we travel to and from work in the dark it's hard to think sunny thoughts and be creative. Here are five tips to keep the spark alive when it's hibernating:

1) Get one of those CDs with the beach sounds on it. Turn it on, put on your swimsuit and get in the tub with your kiddos. Pretend you are having a day at the beach. Draw on the tub walls with soap paints and make up stories about things you uncover in the sand.

2) Close your eyes. Think about a field. There are bees buzzing about bright red poppys and songbirds singing in the scarce perimeter trees. Can you hear them? Go to this place for five minutes...steal them if you need to. You can do this while you are waiting for your kids during dance lessons or while you are waiting for the coffee to perk in the morning. Thinking about sunshine makes it actually feel like there might be an end to winter.

3) Go through your photo albums. Pick out some of your favorite summer memories and make them into a scrapbook page. You'll feel like you're back in that time no matter what's going on outside.

4) Stop by your local flower shop and grab some sunny blooms. Not only will their colorful petals perk you up but the scent will lift your spirits as well. Place them in the area where you spend your creative time and maybe something fun will grow.

5) Grab the crayons and markers and sit down with your kids. Draw a sunny sun and ask them what else is happening on that summer day. Draw out the scene they describe. Don't worry if you aren't a visual artist. The point is to have fun, to play and to think about warmer weather!

Get to it! There's no reason the winter blahs should steal your creativity - push them aside and make something sunny happen.

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How to Encourage a Love of Reading by Nurturing an Interest in Storytelling.

A fantastic way to show your child the virtue of reading is by developing their love for a good story. Not only does an interest in storytelling encourage curiosity for what's between the pages of a book but nurturing that interest will also give kids some creative problem solving ideas as well.

Creativity is a skill. Use it often and it will grow, multiply and become stronger until creative approaches to challenges become almost instinctual. Ignored, this skill withers and becomes wrought with second guesses, dead end walls and the feeling of not knowing where to begin.

To me, beginning is the hardest part. Once I get rolling a story often takes on a life of it's own. So in helping your kids to come up with a story where do you begin? You begin with DreamStarters.

The DreamStarter Book: by Jennifer Karin Sidford is a collection of 50 story beginnings.

Here is what Jennifer has to say about her book:

In truth, DreamStarters began out of desperation and an inability to pull a creative thought from my brain at the end of a busy day. The day had come when my kids (three boys, ages seven to fifteen) had mastered reading, and they no longer needed me to read them chapters from their favorite books. Instead, they asked me to tell them a story. At bedtime I would begin the story, then (struggling to come up with something compelling and worthy of serious Harry Potter fans) I would ask my kids to tell me what happened next. What began as a solution to my creative drought turned into a favorite family tradition.

Soon DreamStarters made its way to the dinner table, as we found it was a great way to keep our kids engaged at the table a few precious minutes more. Even my teenager stayed to present his own plot twists!

Here's one of the DreamStarters from the book. This one is called "Ice Wind"

Justin and Nicole were hiking toward the top of their favorite mountain when the wind
began to blow. At first, the wind was light and warm, but it soon became fierce and bitter
cold. Even though it was summer, the wind turned everything around them to ice.
“There’s a cave,” Justin yelled to Nicole over the high-pitched scream of the wind.
They leaned into each other as they walked, bracing their weight against the powerful
gusts. The cave’s entrance was covered with icy vines that refused to move. Justin pulled out
his Swiss Army Knife and cut through the vines. From deep within the cave came a blast of
warm air. Justin pushed Nicole into the cave and followed next. It was very dark, and the
warm air smelled damp and…

Is this not a great idea? Engage with your kids. Spend time on something together. Encourage siblings to work towards a conclusion. Show them that daydreaming and being creative is something to indulge in. How could they not enjoy this activity and how could it not develop an interest in story and the written word?

Want a copy of the book? I have one to giveaway! And yes, it's signed :) To be eligible to win, visit the DreamStarters Website and read through this reader submitted DreamStarter. Come back here and tell us in comments what you see happening next. Make sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you're the winner.

Bloggers, get an extra entry by posting about DreamStarters on your blog. Leave a separate comment with your url for it to be counted.

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My attempt at the "Idiots Square" an easy dishcloth knitting pattern

The person who invented knitting is a freakin genius. How this person conceived that you could use two sticks to twirl a string into a cloth-like material I'll never know.

When I was a kid, my Grandmother gave me a few brief lessons on the craft. I never did much with it but I've always held on to the thought that I'd continue to learn to knit. I've made a few simple pieces - scarves mostly and now I've completed my first attempt at using a knitting pattern. Until now, my knitting has consisted of only the basic knit stitch. Nothing more.

I decided to try out a dishcloth pattern and found this one, aptly named the Idiots Square. They turned out alright though, as you can see - the one on the lower right is quite a bit smaller than the other. I guess I have something to learn about gauge and tension.

If you want to try one yourself, I'd recommend this pattern as it was quick to learn, and complete in one day. I could imagine that if you were adept, you could whip one of these babies up in about an hour or so but I'm not there yet.

I also found these how-to knitting videos extreamly helpful. Check 'em out.

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Sarah Pinto Weekly Planners - Organize your life and get creative!

There are few things that inspire me like a blank notebook. I get all warm and fuzzy and feel full of possibility. I almost hate to write in them, tarnish their freshness and mar their potential. I always do though, and I always love to have a stack of different ones around.

Then there is one time of the year when a blank book not only inspires possibilities for creativity, but possibility for life. That time of year is now because it's time to buy your daytimer for the upcoming year!

This year I acquired a Sarah Pinto weekly planner and man am I in LOVE!

At first glance, it's very pretty and it's the perfect size. I mean perfect! At 5"x7" it is small enough to fit in your purse but large enough to have lots of space to write.

The cover choices are fun and whimsical...some of my favorites are the horseshoe and the pink tapestry...part of the proceeds from sales of pink tapestry journals will go to help support CPMC Pediatric Cardiology. It's near and dear to her as her son was born with heart problems and had open heart surgery at 2 days old.

Some of the features I love:

• Month at a glance with to do list in the margin
• Lots of room on the weekly plans
• Note pages in the front and back
• Telephone and address section
• A full month for January 2010 and mini months for all of 2010 and
• a "Special Days" section for the whole year so you can have a quick peek at what's going on easily.

Not only is this a functional planner, but it's mom made too. Sarah's planners are also eco-friendly and made with soy based inks and recycled papers. Staying organized is one of the best time savers you can find. I look forward to all the time my Sarah Pinto Planner will find me and I hope I can put it to good creative use!

Go and check out the product line and if you like what you've read, you better get yours. Last year she sold out.

Don't fret though, if you're an RSS subscriber you can have a chance to win one. Get an extra chance by blogging about this great mom made product line. Just leave a comment with the link if you do so.

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Monday's Muse - the Meme for Creative Moms

Read about the Meme.

‘When inspiration does not come to meet me, I go halfway to meet it.’
— Sigmund Freud

I read this quote today and it had me wondering about going to meet your inspiration. Like I said last week, I had very little inspiration happening. I was busy, I was tired, I was mushy headed.

But, going out to meet your inspiration is why I started this blog. I know we, as moms, can have tremendous highs and lows when it comes to creativity. We look at our children and the love overcomes us. We want to capture that emotion and hang onto it forever. But at the same time, we're tired, we're spent mentally and we give all we can of ourselves.

In order to be able to meet our inspirations we need to keep our sights on what is most important to us and where we want to go. Last week I wasn't in any shape to push myself creatively but this week is new. This week I will put on my walking shoes and go down a creative path. I just hope inspiration is there to meet me when I arrive.

Where are you going this week? Link below to bring us along.




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You've just got to hear this

In my post - A Simple Way to Jump Start your Creativity
I write about how changing something in your environment can spur on creative feelings. One thing I find easy to change up is the music I listen to as I work. Normally I love classic rock, modern rock - any kind of rock really. I find the intensity of it provides me with a certain energy that I hope carries over to what I'm writing. If I'm not listening to rock, then it's classical I go for. The piano especially. I'm not really sure why, I just like it - mostly when I'm writing fiction.

Recently I've learned of Rebecca Martin. Her music is completely outside my standard rotation and I'm absolutely loving her CD The Growing Season. Her voice is like placing a premium dark chocolate on your tongue. At first it's sweet, then you feel the edge and it melts into smoothness and delight all at once. I'm elevated with the jazzy energy and spunk mixed with the piano I love so much - a perfect compliment to her voice. Rebecca is a mom and an artist who not only follows her passion in terms of music but she also spearheaded a civic community group to raise awareness of safety issues in her neighborhood. You can feel her passion in her songs and if even a 1/4 of that trickles through me into my work then it's all the better for it.

Rebecca and Shore Fire Media have provided an MP3 download for her song aptly titled "The Space in a Song to Think." Go ahead, grab it and have a listen. I'm interested to hear what you guys think of it.


I'm also pleased to say, I have a copy of Growing Season for one lucky Maternal Spark reader! This CD will go to an email subscriber. If you already get the RSS feed via email then you're entered. There's nothing else to do. If you don't get Maternal Spark via email, add your address to that box up there in the right hand corner, the one that says "Get Maternal Spark via Email", and you'll be entered to win. I'll draw the winner on Nov 30th.



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1 Great Project - 3 Reasons to Do It

I've recently corresponded with Creative Mom Jenna McCarthy, Author of The Parent Trip
She was telling me about how as a writer, she walks around with a notebook to capture all the funny things her kids say. She says her children are "pure fodder" for her writing endeavors. She then told me how she takes those notebooks and turns them into a special project that allows her to do three important things:

1) Use and encourage her creative mind.
2) Include her children in that creative process and
3) Encourage her children to read and enjoy stories.

Here's what to do:

As your kids say funny things write them down. I know that many of you are bloggers and chose to journal these silly snippets in a digital format - that works too and in fact, might be a nice way to keep everything all in one place for later use.

Once you have a nice collection of quotes, start transferring them into a small journal or scrapbook. Here is where you can include your kids. Ask them to doodle on the pages or decorate with stickers. You can also have them choose photographs of themselves to be included in the book. Don't forget to add a title that includes their name.

When it's done, you'll have a storybook that your kids will want you to read over and over again. What child doesn't like being the main character in a story?! Especially a main character who is funny, silly and smart too! You'll have loads of fun reliving memories and your child will feel special and loved in a whole new way. Plus, they will be learning without even knowing it. These books will help them to recognize their name in print, as well as the names of any siblings or other 'characters' in the book such as pets. Older kids will learn to see why you thought what they said was humorous and laugh at themselves too. What could be better?


Here are a few gems from Jenna's collection -

At the park:
Sophie (4 years): Mom, why is there a hole in this bench?
Me: Well, what is the bench made from?
Sophie: Wood!
Me: That’s right! And where do we get wood?
Sophie: Home Depot!

In bed at night, singing songs:
Sophie: “This old man, he played seven, he played seven up in heaven…” Mom, what’s heaven again?
Me: That’s where grandpa lives, with God and all of the other people who have died.

Sophie: God DIED?

I know you have a funny quote from your own little one in your mind right now don't you? Go on now, start their book you can always come back later.

About Jenna McCarthy's book:

The Parent Trip: From High Heels and Parties to Highchairs and Potties is a must-read for expecting and new moms. Packed with wit and wisdom, The Parent Trip is "smart, hilarious, incredibly useful and so honest it almost hurts,” says Peg Moline, Editor-in-Chief of Fit Pregnancy magazine, adding “Every pregnant woman should read this book."

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Monday's Muse - the Meme for Creative Moms

Read about the Meme.

This is a picture of my daughter with pants on her head. This week, take a look at things around you and think about how they might be used in different ways. How can you translate this into your craft? Can you use something in a new way for a different result? In turning something upside down, can it inspire a different reaction from you?

What's inspiring you today? Share it in a blog post of your own and link below if you do.




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A Simple way to Jumpstart your Creativity

Mommyhood revolves around schedules and routines. We all know that days we mess up our babies napping schedules never end well and most kids stomachs growl at precisely the same time every day. Delay that meal or snack and we hear about it faster than a toddler knocks their noggin on every surface in sight.

But did you know that a well oiled schedule can hinder your creative thinking? It's true. Once our brains get to a place where they don't have to do any creative work, they just float along, taking everything in stride. Diapers, feedings, cleaning, diapers, feedings, cleaning...wash, rinse, repeat.

Now, don't get me wrong. Motherhood is full of surprises and rewards that go deeper than anyone could know until they look into their child's eyes for the first time. But. We all know there are days that hum along 'as scheduled' and it can be a little difficult to shake our brains awake to do some creative work.

What to do about it?

Chose something that you see day to day and change it. Pick up a new CD that is from a genre you don't normally listen to. Buy a new room fragrance. Hang some new curtains. Use Stumbleupon to take you to some new websites. Cook something completely different for dinner. Plug in a little water fountain to change the ambient noise around you.

It won't take much. Just something little that get's your brain to pay attention. As soon as it fades into the background, change something else. Just make sure it suits as a source of invigoration and doesn't act as a distraction.

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One for the Writer Moms - Paying Market - ApronStrings Mag

If you are looking for somewhere to submit your writings on motherhood check out ApronStrings Magazine. It's new and although the website looks a bit rough, the premise behind the mag is great.

From their Mission Statement:

ApronStrings is a magazine for mothers with a mission to portray the rich and varied experiences of women as they adjust to motherhood. We want to make this very different to other parenting magazines which are filled with the usual product pushing and often patronizing, advice-filled columns.

There is more so check out the writer's guidelines. Payment will be agreed with the author prior to publication. At present they are looking at approx €60 - €100 per essay, depending on length.
ApronStrings Magazine is based in Ireland but is accepting submissions from international writers. All the best to those who submit!


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Creativity Killers - how to avoid the 5 biggest blocks

As hard as we try to make the best use of our free time towards our creativity. There are always those days when the heart just isn't behind the work and we struggle to be productive. Be on the lookout for these Creativity Killers so you can put them to bed and get motivated!

1) Television

This one is a no-brainer. I'm sure you all know that it's hard to form an original thought while immersed in a rousing rendition of your favorite show. Now that the new TV season is upon us I know that shows like Fringe are going to suck up a bit of my free time and I'm ok with that. But the problem lies in that many of us have the idiot box (and they call it that for a reason) on all day in the background - even when we aren't really watching it. If it's a re-run, turn it off. If you aren't really watching it, turn it off. If you have something else to do, don't try and do it with the TV nattering at you in the background. Turn it off and turn your focus on.

2) Lack of organization

Clutter is a killer of free time and free thinking. It's so oppressive. Our time for ourselves is so precious we can't have minutes flittering away into nothingness because we can't find our scissors or that special pen or what ever else you might need to complete your project. If we're organized then we are able to get down to business at a moments notice.

3) Chaos

Life with kids is a whirlwin of fun, frustration and emotion. As much as we love this about our children, we also need to teach them that there are times for play and there are times for quiet. You'll be teaching them a life skill when you show them that it is ok to sit and read a book by themselves. They will learn to focus. They will learn to turn inwards. Even if it is only for 30 seconds at a time, teach your children about relaxation and you'll be doing both of you a favor. As they get older, you'll be able to work on your creative endeavors while your little one colors, reads or does a puzzle beside you.

4) Perfectionism

This goes back to the quote I posted for Monday's Muse. Just because we don't feel we have the time to do a perfect job, or a complete job doesn't mean we shouldn't begin. Don't talk yourself out of it by thinking a little bit isn't worth doing.

5) Fatigue

I'm always foggy when I feel tired. I know that sometimes it can't be avoided - like the other night when little H woke up at midnight with teething pain and refused to go back to bed until we'd exhausted a whole rigmarole of tricks. But on days that you stay up surfing the net (I'm bad for this one) or watching those TV shows we talked about while half awake, you could have grabbed a precious hour of extra sleep making you bright and ready to roll the next morning.

What is your biggest block? What do you do to overcome them? Share in comments :)

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Monday's Muse - The Meme for Creative Moms

About this Meme:

Monday's Muse is all about inspiring creativity in our fellow moms. Maybe they are having a bad day. Maybe their children are puking or throwing a tantrum or refusing to nap. Help them use their creative minds, if only to ponder our Monday Muse-ings. Join in and post with me - anything that inspires your creativity. It could be a photo, a quote, a piece of writing or an idea. Please respect the copyrights of your fellow artists and refrain from posting images or artistic works that you do not have permission to post. Anything public domain or created by you is game!

My pick today is a quote from Edmund Burke. I've adapted it to fit our gender :)

"Nobody made a greater mistake than (s)he who did nothing because (s)he could do only a little."

I think it is very fitting for us Moms. It's tempting to put our creativity aside while we raise our babies. After all, it is hard to find the time and we can often only do a little. Make that little bit count. Don't give up on it. That little bit will keep you going, keep your mind flexible and your skills fresh until you find yourself with the ability to do more. If we don't cling to that little bit it will be like starting all over once we decide we can really begin.

If you participate(and I hope you do) please email me and I'll link back to your post...eventually I'll put up one of those auto linky things.

Visit Monday's Muse Participants:

Plan, Party and Repeat!

All About Kimberly

Nellie of The Reconstructed Life

Our Family

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Share your inspirations...Interested?

I thought I'd share these wee paintings which were done quite some time ago. They are 5x7 which I'd found the perfect size to complete in one sitting. I should really take some time to do a few more as I miss the fluid pace of brush over paper.

These days, I find it takes a bit too much time setting up my supplies, and then the clean up is another story. I guess that's why I haven't done any for a while.

My minis are pinned to a bulletin board in my office and I intend to add a few more images so that it becomes my Inspiration Board. Maybe I'll snap a pic of the board every time I add something new. How about we do it together and maybe add something new once a week? Are you up for it? I think it would be fun to see each other's boards grow and it will give us a bit of insight into who we are.

It could be like one of those meme things I keep seeing around. You know the ones - like wordless wednesday? Leave me a comment if you are interested and if there is enough response I'll make it all official like with a button and linky thing and all :)

Recognizing your influences - Part 2 of 2

In my last post I wrote about recognizing our influences. Today, I'd like to discuss using this information now that we've revealed what it is.

There are two ways we can go here. We can embrace our influences and work towards incorporating them as much as we can while still maintaining our originality, or, we can shut them out and see where our mind wanders when it finds itself in unfamiliar territory.

So what does this mean really?

1) Embracing our influences.

How do we go about incorporating everything we love and still remain truthful to ourselves? The key is in our awareness. In order to include or exclude anything we must be aware of our inclinations and that is why my previous post was important. If you haven't done a little self study exercise go and do so.

Once we know why it is we do the things we do; we are free to pick and choose which techniques, which feelings, which voice to incorporate into any given project. Not only can we choose what we want to do openly, we will recognize when we are losing ourselves amongst our influences.

2) Shutting out our influences.

In the opposite direction we can attempt to abandon what we know and forge ahead into uncharted territory. This is going to be more difficult as our influences are so ingrained into us that they may even form the basis of our creativity. However, we can take drastic measures here. If we normally write in prose, we may switch to poetry. If we normally paint in oil, we can switch to sculpture. If we are comfortable in sewing, what would happen if we picked up a paper art? Changing mediums gives us a higher chance of leaving behind our influences and seeing our basic creative nature show through. Will we create a masterpiece? It's unlikely. We will though, get in touch with ourselves and how we work when our instincts are challenged. We will have fun and we will learn. Teaching ourselves how to be creative in a new way will help us to carry over those new techniques into our medium of choice. Like remapping our brains, we will be able to see things afresh and it may be the key to breaking out of a creative rut.

I hope you take some time for self reflection. Think about your influences and what they mean to you. Be aware of why you do the things you do and it will only elevate your art. All the best to you in your endeavors.

by H.E.Eigler of Maternal Spark

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Recognizing your influences - Part 1 of 2

Novelist and Blogger Charles Gramlich of Razored Zen (which I read religiously) has recently posted on how our influences can affect how we create. He writes

Being “unconscious” of one's sources has potential risks and potential benefits. On the risk side, it’s possible to stay so close to the original that you are simply writing pastiche. On the benefit side, being unconscious of influences allows a seamless mix and match of many influences into the blend that makes up true creativity.

It's got me thinking about how this carries over to other mediums besides the written word. Singer/Songwriters often speak about their influences and often those artists were the ones their parents listened to. I remember my Dad listening to Elvis, Alice Cooper and some other band with a song called "Chicken Train" on our 8 track stereo. And my mother had a large country music collection including Alabama, Kenny Rogers and Waylon Jennings. These influences have a large part in what I listen to today and I love that I can trace it all back to those memories.

We all know the rich history behind painters and the huge influence they had on visual artists. Many visual artists will rattle off their favorites -Mattise, Picasso, and Cezanne. If you look closely, you can see those influences in their work and they are happy to speak of them. Same goes for photographers.

What about scrapbookers, knitters and crocheters or sewers or jewelers? Where do they find their influences? I would imagine the mothers and grandmothers who taught them their craft had most of that influence when it comes to technique but what about style? Influence can come from many places. What has influenced you and how does that play out in your work? Take a moment to think back to your childhood. What was around you then? Who was around you then? What were your passions, your interests? It is important that we understand what influences us so that we can harness or ignore it - which is what I'll write about in part 2 of this series. Comment about your own work. I'd love to hear about who you see in your craft.

by H.E.Eigler of Maternal Spark

image via wikipedia

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Busy Moms know how to save time -10 ideas for what to do with it

You're smart. I know that. You've been reading time saving tips all over the place; heck there are entire sites dedicated to saving time.

You write a grocery list so you aren't wandering aimlessly around the store - time saved : 10 min.

You organize your home so you know exactly where stuff is when you need it - time saved searching for a pair of scissors: 3 min.

You cook meals in bulk and freeze for later - time saved upwards of 1/2 hour.


So, once you've saved all this time what are you doing with it? How do you make the most of those 3 or 10 minute chunks of time when it is easy to let them flitter away. Sometimes, your three year old will smear their pb&j all over the kitchen floor and then that time is used - it's unavoidable. But there are days, here and there, when everything is running smoothly and you've got 5 min to spare. How on earth can you use such a small amount of time towards your creative endeavors? Here are 10 things you can do in 10 min or less.

1) Write down three ideas for future projects - don't worry about fleshing them out. Just get them down on paper. Next time you go to get creative you won't be wondering what to do - that part will be done for you.

2) Do a Doodle. Sketching or doodling, even for those of us without a visual bone in our bodies, still loosens up the mind and allows for a connection between thought and action.

3) Read. Take 2 minutes to read your favorite crafty website or blog........ahem.

4) Set up. Go to your creative space and thread your sewing machine. Lay out your bead supplies. Cast on that first row of knit stitches. Then, when the kids are in bed you'll be all ready to dive in - and anticipating it too.

5) Shut off. Get comfy and close your eyes. Relax for once wont'cha! You never know what might come if you let your brain breathe.

6) Pack Jr. in the stroller and go for a walk around the block - longer if you have the time. Or even better, go along a river path or woodland walkway. Nature inspires many.

7) Review something you've completed in the past that you weren't quite happy with. Think about what you could do to make it better.

8) Start in - depending on what type of artist you are, 10 minutes might be long enough to actually DO something. Cut out some pattern pieces. Embroider that little butterfly motif. Ice your cupcakes.

9) Do some research. Writing a historical story? Find out what they would have cooked for a celebration in 1856. Need to know how to solder something - hit the Google. Five minutes of learning never did anyone harm.

10) Did I say 10? I meant 9, yeah 9 ideas for what to do with your saved time. My time is up. See you later!

written by H.E.Eigler of Maternal Spark dot com

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If it's in my horoscope, it can't be wrong.

I use iGoogle to easily view my gmail account, my rss feeds and several other things. I also set it up to include my daily horoscope - just for fun. I don't put a lot of stock in these things but I enjoy reading them nonetheless. It seems the folks who write over at Tarot.com are in my head this week. Think they've been reading my blog?



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Featured Mom - Veronica of Vernonica Willingham Jewlery

Today's featured mom is Veronica of Veronica Willingham Jewelry. Finding herself amongst a family of artists and her without the ability to 'draw a straight line with a ruler', she felt like she didn't possess any artistic ability - until the birth of her daughter Taylor. Then she captured the spark and found her talent for design.

H: How long have you been doing what you do?

V: I have been designing and creating jewelry for over seven years now. It all started one day when my husband and I where bored so we went around to crafts stores trying to find things to do. Two weeks later I discovered there where actually bead stores in my area. Well, I guess you can figure out the rest…I was hooked.

H: Tell me about what you make.

V: I like to create handcrafted jewelry using semi-precious and precious gemstones. My creations use a lot of metal and chains of sterling silver, gold, vermeil and gold filled. I tend to create a lot of earrings. I guess the way earrings can frame a face and make even the most timid persons eyes just pop; I just love them.

H: Describe your creative process.

V: Wow I would love to say that I have this amazing process that involves…..well a process. But long story short I dream of designs, designs pop in my head, inspiration comes at the oddest times, heck the architecture in a building can set me off and a design comes. Although, more often than not (because I’m a workaholic), I’ll just sit at my work area and ask the question,” Who wants to play?” Sometimes I get an answer and I get to it…sometimes I don’t. In that case I’ll do some sort of clerical work that must be done.

H: Were you creative before you had children?

V: To be truly honest my creativity came more to me after my daughter Taylor was born. She is quite the artists herself. She has been drawing three dimensionally since she was three. I guess her spark of creativity led me to investigate my own. My father and older brother are artists as well. I used to think I had no talent. Believe me I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler. Then after I had Taylor I discovered I had the ability to design and use color combinations that even surprised me.

H: Have your methods changed?

V: My methods have stayed pretty consistent. I let the moment take me…sometimes an amazing journey. And sometimes…well you remember those bad road trips as a child. You just never know, right. I just try and go with it and see what happens.

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

V: I am amazingly lucky in the respect that this is my full time vocation. But don’t loose sight of the fact that luck favours the prepared. I dot all my I’s and cross all the t’s that need to be done. So creativity has no time limit with me…my days are pretty open to create.

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

V: As I stated earlier my daughter Taylor who is now thirteen has been a budding artist since three years old. She has always had a creative spirit. Even when she used to draw on the walls I couldn’t get to upset...mostly because she has always been able to draw better than me. So it’s hard to knock someone who’s better than you.

H: What have you learned after having your kids (in relation to your art)

V: I have learned to let your process be what it needs to be. Meaning you have to let your art come from the true you. I guess to go out and try to manipulate your art to be what someone else thinks of art is only going to get you one thing. And that’s simply someone else’s art. Your art has to be about the core of you….and to be honest I’ve never found that when I have extended myself too far outside my core, that I’ve come up with anything that was truly me. I have to keep a line connected to my core while exploring the vast amount of knowledge out there. I have to be able to come back to my core self…that which started my journey. Although my daughter and many other things have given me inspiration; if I have learned anything from her is to be true to your self. Taylor at thirteen has her own personal style, which involves rocking a sterling silver skull ring her dad designed and made for her. That’s true artisanship to the core!

H: What do you feel makes you successful and are you finding success?

V: Wow that’s a hard question to answer. On the one hand being able to pay the bills with my business is success. Having a following of customers that easily recognize my work is success. Loving and I do mean truly LOVING what you do is a kind of success that goes beyond success to self fulfillment. So success I guess is an everyday accounting practice. When and if I ever come up with a formula….I guess I’ll write a book or something.

H: Anything else to add?

V: I guess I have to add that I have a wonderful husband Rodney Sherman who has come on board and he does all my metalwork with true professionalism and I love him truly and I will forever be in his debt.

And to anyone who ever has a dream, don’t wait for it to come true…kick it in the butt, reinvent a process, dream a little harder. But by all means understand that a dream only dies when it’s not given life. Give your dream life….whatever it may be.

Feel free to visit my website veronicawillingham.com or drop me a line at my email veronicawillinghamjewelry@hotmail.com

P.S. Remember…luck favours the prepared!

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So what are you into?

I've been working on developing a weekly "Energizer" post. The idea being, I would post exercises or fun projects or ways to jump start your creative projects and you would get so inspired you would rush away to work into the wee hours and come out with a masterpiece. That's the idea anyhow. Then it occurred to me that it would be a whole lot easier if I knew what my readers enjoyed most. Are sewing tutorials going to fall on uninterested ears? Who cares about writing prompts? Punch your answer into the poll below and give me a little direction wont'cha? After all, this blog is for you.

Lock yourselves away - How the simple act of bathing is great for your creativity

You've heard me mention before that in order to capture your creativity it is important to take time out for yourself to think. Think about the project you're currently working on. Think about where you want to take it. What obstacles are you coming up against? What are you going to do to over come them? If you have something new floating in your mind, think about what options you have. How are you going to make this project different and unique?

If you're saying to me that you don't have time for all this thinking, that it's impossible to think with kids running rampant and eating three week old cheerios from behind the couch I'll say I agree. It is impossible to think creative thoughts, thoughts that can expand and grow and take you somewhere down your creative path with chaos happening. So here's what you do.

Lock yourself in the bathroom.

Of course you need to make sure the munchkins have adequate supervision, or are confined to their cages cribs for bedtime. A half an hour is all it takes to make this work. You owe it to yourself to find a half hour. It's not long.

Go into the bathroom, draw a bath, grab a notebook and pen and relax. Let you mind wander. Think about your creative works in progress and if inspiration strikes jot your thoughts down. Lock the door so hubby doesn't pop in, ignore the calls of 'hey Mom, mom, mom, mom, mom.' Don't worry if the phone rings, if it's important they will call back. Maybe you need some light music to mask the goings on beyond the door.

Does it sound luxurious? Well, let's make it even more so. Win one small, one medium, one large and one heart bath bomb from Beyond the Bomb!

Go to the Beyond the bomb site and have a browse, come back here and leave a comment telling us which specialty bomb you'd like to drop into your tub most. The draw runs from July 14th to July 28th and is open to US residents only. Between now and then I want you to take at least 1 time out for you bath! You deserve it!!

Oh and make sure you leave an email address so we can contact you if you're the winner!!

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