Living an Artful Life: Creativity as a Means to Heal

Normally I save the serious posts for my personal blog, but I have been meditating on the subject of creativity and how it can assist in healing.

I have said before that I feel that the home and our location are intimately connected to our sense of serenity, purpose, and even identity.  That is not to say, that from time to time we don't find ourselves blocked, stuck, and at a cross purposes with our soul path.

In fact, it is in precisely those times that I think we should turn to art: and when I say "art" I mean the term in the most inclusive, all encompassing sense.  I think living an artful life happens every day.  It happens while you are sipping your coffee, and really savoring that moment.  It happens in the tub when you reach for that artisanal goat soap from your local farmer's market.  It happens while you are cooking dinner, or even while staring out the window with sudsy hands over a sink full of dishes.  Life is art.

But life is also pain.  And loss.  And disappointment.  And acts of creativity can help center you: it can literally return you to you.  I feel that the artist within is a direct connection to the inner child.  Who were you when you were eight?  What did you believe?  Who did you love? Who did you want to be?

I think that too many people worry about having "talent."  I think that is an unnecessary worry.  Creating isn't about being the best at anything.  Being a maker (living as a maker) is so much more accessible than we think it is, and that can heal.  When you purchase something off of etsy, you are a maker and a supporter of makers.  When you pick up those sharpies and do some zen tangle, you are "making" and healing your soul.  When you sit down with your child and jointly put some Crayola to coloring book page, you are doing something amazing.  This is not about being Picasso.  This is not about obtaining an Art History degree, maintaining a blog with the most followers, or branding yourself in such a way that you make a lot of money.  None of those things are negative in any way, if that is your particular journey, but those goals aren't the "point." 

Creativity is a spiritual fulfillment, and unlike other means of spirituality, it's not exclusionary or controversial or dogmatic.  It can be those things, but art is not inherently any of those things.  Art is life.  And the process of making art can heal the broken and direct the lost.

Recent Projects! Painting, Painting, Painting

I am so behind in posting my recent projects and additions to the Etsy Shop!  I've been really busy.  I'd say that's a good thing overall, and not because I am so distracted that I am avoiding anything, but because I am keeping myself genuinely busy. 

Here are some pictures!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MiscellaneousM

before

after

pillows are still for sale in my etsy shop that match!



Jane Austen silhouette art

Charlotte Bronte silhouette art

The Etsy Shop is Live!

After three years I have finally done it.

Etsy is up and running.  There are still a few items to post at a later date, but this is most of it for now.

Here is the link.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/MiscellaneousM

thanks in advance for checking it out!

Local people: if you want something, there is no reason to deal with shipping.  Just let me know and we will talk about it.  Message me.

Again, the shop email is handmadebymiscellaneousm@gmail.com

The Miscellaneous M Shop Inventory

I owe a big thank you to my brother in law David, of Whitney Productions (see his website here http://whitneypro.com/) who is actually a wonderful videographer, but he knows how to take pictures leaps and bounds above my ability.  So, one of the reasons I have hesitated to actually make my Etsy page go live is because I couldn't take a decent picture of my product to save my life.

But Dave really helped me out and we did a super quick photo shoot.  Here is a taste of what I will be displaying at the Winsted United Methodist Church Craft and Vendor Fair on Saturday (9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Main Street, Winsted CT.)

I have been building up a variety of crafts for my inventory for awhile (hence the name "Miscellaneous" M.  I couldn't possibly commit to making just one thing!  I just want to be a Maker, period.  :)

First, here are the facial cloths I made in a variety of colors, from 100% cotton (prewashed, preshrunk.) 

Then the Polish stars (these still make me so happy to look at.  It will be Christmas before we know it.  Would also make wonderful all year round décor in a bowl on a coffee table, etc, if you buy colors to match your décor.)

Here are the earrings I made:

Here are the mug cozies and the scarf (I have another scarf done too in red and white that I didn't get a picture of yet)

Here are my paintings and home décor projects for sale

I made these ceramic mug art projects using oil based markers.  These were super fun and came out really pretty.   (FYI, I forgot to have Dave take a picture of these, so these are MY photos as if you couldn't tell.)

Back View

 

Front View

 

Front View ("Hot and Steamy")



Back View

 

And last, but definitely not least, the pillow covers I worked on (of course there are 2 of each pattern made and I am selling them as pairs)

Anything that doesn't sell at the vendor fair (again, 9 to 2 this coming Saturday at the Winsted United Methodist Church along with a bake sale and tag sale) will be posted to my Etsy page going live soon.  Unless I sell everything which would be great.  Wish me (and the Church Raise the Roof fundraiser) luck!