Where we create

Sometimes people ask me, how do I have the time and energy to make all the stuff I make. Crafting and creating gives me energy and joy in life. I just need to create and play.

I don't run a perfectly clean house, our floors are invaded by toys and bits of paper, yarn and bread and sand and a parade of ants. In life there might always be a shortage of time (although I think we have time for things we want to have time for). Anyway, I try to make crafting as easy as possible. I keep my supplies mostly in good order and easily available, so that once the moment presents itself, I can just jump into crafting. I have several works in progress at almost all times.

One practical thing that allows me to create is this table that is just for the kids in our study/studio/working room. It's a creating station, where colors and papers and scissors and glitter glue are always available.

The poster hanging above the table is from Laura. Its message is intended for us parents since it really sums up what is like in a household with two young ones. And when you've got dried out Play-Doh combined with bits of colored feathers and pieces of your most favorite wool yarn in a pile on the table, all generously covered with a cupful of glue, it's best to just keep calm and to carry on.

I have enjoyed reading the Kids Craft Weekly newsletters, because I so agree on the fact that you don't need tons of fancy toys for kids, that kids can make toys for themselves. Just last week three kids in our neighborhood created 1,5 hours of play from three little balls of wool yarn I gave from my crocheting project. They turned into spider's webs and fishing nets among other things. The power of the creative mind!




One of the wisest pieces of advice I've gotten is to have good quality basics - even for the smallest children and even in art supplies. Our first Giotto Bebe colors have lasted for more than four years. We have Fiskars scissors for kids (a pair for each since our son is most likely lefthanded). Good quality water colors and brushes. I have to admit that I've been skimping on paper, using printing paper.

I've have also started an art journal of sorts. It will be an inspiration journal where I'll save my favorite cuttings and images from magazines, pieces of color, furniture, moods, play with colors, make sketches and plans. I have never thought of myself as an artsy person - I can't draw or paint really, but I figured I can play around with an art journal anyway.

I thought of making several journals, one for magazine cuttings, one for project ideas and plans, but ended up with this one only. I have piles and piles of magazines and odd notes scribbled on pieces of paper and basically it's just all the same thing: my ideas, my need to create and to gather inspiration. So I'll just make on huge book of it all.