[Image courtesy of Jessica Swift]
I love happy people.
And Jessica Swift is definitely one of life’s happy people (see here for the Do What You Love interview with her).
Have you heard she is making rainboots covered in her gorgeous designs and carrying secret messages?
We would call them ‘wellies’ here in England.
She needs your help to get them manufactured – and bring puddle-splashing happiness to people all over the world.
Check out her fun Kickstarter video here – only six days to go!
Sometimes I find myself overthinking things when I am trying to create something.
Usually when I find myself stuck, or frustrated with what I am making, it is because I am thinking about it too much. And when I am in the zone, not really thinking at all, it always works out better.
Last week my little nephew – who is five years old – took this photo of me with my ipod. He didn’t think about it at all. Just aimed it at me, moved it around a bit then hit the button. And for someone who doesn’t usually like photos of myself, I love it!
And it really made me think that sometimes we just need to ‘hit the button’.
Have you found yourself overthinking things lately?
There is magic in the air as the bonfire crackles, sparklers hiss and laughter floats past in the wind.
Open-hearted souls from all over the world are gathered deep in the English countryside to create, discover and grow.
This is just the beginning…
On the opening night of the Do What You Love retreat, as wine flowed and stories were shared, I took a moment just to watch.
And I am sure I could actually see new friendships forming, creative wings unfurling, and possibility bubbling up.
There is nothing quite like a creative retreat to connect you with like minded people, boost your confidence and gently guide you in your true direction. And that is why I am so delighted that today sees the launch of Seek Your Course, an innovative concept from Jess Greene, which provides a database and online hub for connecting you with creative learning opportunities online and around the world.
I have been mentoring Jess over the past through months as she has developed this from idea to valuable tool, which gives you the wonderful world of creative retreats and online creative courses at your fingertips. I know how powerful retreats and e-courses can be, and am excited that so many more people will get the chance to get involved, now the information is being provided in one easy-to-navigate place.
I hope you will use Seek Your Course to find whatever is the right course for you, connect with others and step into this brave new world!
[All images taken at the Do What You Love retreat in May by NavyBlur.]
For more posts about the May retreat see: Full of Love / Reflecting / Bloom True with Flora Bowley / Paper heaven with Rachel Hazell / Delicate wax and wire sculptures with Priscilla Jones
Here are a few of the lovely stationery and supplies finds I made at the gorgeous Salts Mill in Saltaire. Just love the way they are displayed…
See here for yesterday’s post about the lovely building that houses all these finds.
This is my kind of shop… what’s yours?
One of the things I love about the north of England is the old industrial beauty of some of its buildings. This place used to be a thriving hub for the textile and other industries, and many of the old buildings have been saved and converted – and are still very much loved. I lived in Manchester for several years, firstly in a converted cotton mill and then in a lovely area of the city by its working canal, where the old wharfs now serve restaurant goers and picnickers. Now I live in Leeds I have fallen for buildings like the Corn Exchange, a 150 year old Victorian building which used to be centre for trade and is now a beautiful home for independent shops, delis and cafes. Today I wanted to share another gorgeous building with you – the Salts Mill in Saltaire, which has been converted into an art gallery (featuring David Hockney) and huge open space selling paper, books, stationery – all things I love!
I love the way they use a hotchpotch of furniture – from this designer sofa…
… to this old school desk
… and even a garden bench.
Their displays are wonderful, with everything laid out as if it is in someone’s home being shown to friends.
They sell all sorts of things – from artists’ palettes to potted plants.
If you ever find yourself near Leeds it is definitely worth a visit, and if you are feeling energetic it can be reached by a lovely long cycle up the canal towpath…
Pop back tomorrow to see what gorgeous papery finds I discovered…
Is the blue paint peeling away or being revealed? Depending on how you screw your eyes up, either could be true. It depends which way you look at it.
Ahh perspective. Been thinking a lot about this lately, and how important it is to seek out and listen to other people’s perspectives, and then make your own call on things.
There is so much wisdom all around us – and so much inside. It sometimes just takes a few words from someone else to make us think about things in a different way, or from a different angle, and that can be so valuable.
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What about you? Have you found someone else’s perspective helpful lately?
So excited to have been invited to moderate a panel at The Creative Connection Event featuring inspiring artist Kelly Rae Roberts and creative business mentor Kathy Hansen. We will discuss ‘The Nuts and Bolts of Launching a Creative Business’. It will be a fantastic opportunity to draw out real insights and practical advice from three women who have achieved so much in a relatively short time, learning some incredibly valuable lessons along the way.
The event is the brainchild of Jo Packham, the creative force behind Where Women Create. It will be in Minneapolis in September (more details here). Will I see you there??
I spend far too much time in cafes.
When I go travelling I tend to gravitate towards cosy, welcoming places and love sitting with a steaming coffee watching the world go by.
This picture is of one my latest discoveries, in Oia on the Greek island of Santorini.
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What about you? Where is your favourite cafe and why do you like it so much? Recommendations are always very welcome…
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Something Vivienne McMaster said in a recent lesson in her photography e-course ‘You are your own muse’ really struck me. She said that when you take self-portrait photos you have all the control. Kind of obvious, but I had never thought about it before. It’s a really powerful thought if you don’t normally like pictures taken of yourself. So with that in mind I have been experimenting.
Here are a couple from my recent trip to Greece – I loved the way the shadows from my floppy sun hat fell on my face.
What do you think about taking pictures of yourself? Have you taken any lately?
[Images edited and altered using Picnik and Camerabag]
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PS – Read my new interview with Vivienne HERE!
When I put the Do What You Love e-course out into the world for the first time at the beginning of the year I had no idea the impact it was going to have on participants – and on me. Every day of the six-week class was a new adventure, offering new discoveries about myself and others, opening up in new ways and sharing stories, tools and inspiration. It thrills me to think that more people are on their path towards doing what they love because of it.
And now, by popular demand, it’s back… There are less than two weeks before class begins for the summer session on June 6. The Do What You Love e-course will help you expand your comfort zone, nurture your playful spirit and feed your creative soul. It will help you identify your passion, and work out what ‘doing what you love’ actually means for you. Don’t miss out on this important opportunity – it might just change your life. Register now!
Don’t just take my word for it – here are some thoughts from the community of like-minded souls from all over the world that benefitted from the class last time…
“I was and continue to be floored by this course–it was so valuable. I felt like it helped me focus on me, my interests, my desires, and what was holding me back from those things. I was more painfully honest with myself than I have been in years, but I also allowed myself to play more than ever. Since joining the course, I’ve gone paragliding, quit my steady but unfulfilling job, participated in a 5k charity run, met tons of new people and basically blossomed into a new person. I feel like the course will continue working it’s magic for ages. It has a killer curriculum covering all the bases. I’m so absolutely pleased I chose this as a way to start turning my life around.”
“In the moments when I have down time, ALL I think about is this course – where it’s leading me, what I can do to bring more fun, creativity, and passion into my life, and it’s JUST what I need.”
“My heart is bursting. How empowering and inspiring it is to share our stories and know that we aren’t alone and that there is always a way through.”
“Highly recommend to anyone on the brink of making important changes in their life!”
“I loved that this 6 weeks course made me put aside this time only for myself, away from all the noise in my life, and to really reflect on what I am doing, who I am and what direction I want to go in. During the course I got the tools to do just that.”
“This eCourse is a sparkling combination of creative projects, inspiring interviews and compelling worksheets. Beth has done a magnificent job of creating a fresh approach to uncovering what you love. Even if you know what you love, you’ll discover fresh insights as you go on this soulful adventure.”
“For 6 weeks it felt like a companion on a very exciting journey I hadn’t been able to take by myself.”
“Wow, wow and wow again.”
In a post-ecourse survey 95% of participants said they were more focused and clear about what ‘doing what they love’ means to them. 100% of respondents said the e-course had had an impact on them and made them think about the changes they need to make in their lives.
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