Do what you love

A friend asked me to participate in a holiday bazaar with her in early November. Before I had much chance to overthink things (which oftentimes leaves me in a place of doubt), I said "Yes!" So glad I did.  :)  Signing up gave us a bonafide excuse to get crafty! It lifted my spirits to know I had something creative to work on and it propelled me through October, which wasn't an easy emotional time for me.

Was it a success? I'd say so.

Early on, this little grasshopper decided to practice something: letting go of expectations. After all, letting go of expectations helps one be in a more peaceful/content mind space. The final tally on sold items or money earned was not the objective. It was all about the experience. (Full disclosure: okay, so I kinda-sorta really hoped to at least make back what I paid to participate in the bazaar, which I did.) I found that I was much more pleased about the whole experience having taken that approach. BTW: Jo seems to have already mastered this life lesson. She's smart like that.

Between the two of us, there were: greeting cards, decoupaged tissue boxes, beaded snowflakes, beaded stars/trees/angels, decoupaged Santa cookie plates/platters, key fobs, felt flower magnets, decoupaged cookie tins, and more.

Laura and Jo ... sittin' at a table ... S-M-I-L-I-N-G!

Jo modeling the snowflakes
...as earrings. She so silly.

The beaded clip display -
in action!

This year's holiday bazaar led to many more creative hours spent in my studio. Artful time gives me peace of mind. Is it odd to say that it reminds me of swimming? -- It does!

When swimming laps in the past, I'd get into a rhythm and have a jingle playing in my head (in a loop) or have some great songs with motivational beats in mind to help keep a consistent pace. My brain somehow mulled things over (factoids for a test, interactions with others that day, the latest and greatest "problem" in my eyes) while I was swimming laps. Sometimes I was purposefully thoughtful; other times not so much. But that time was mine; I was being physical, letting go of stress, thinking things over, coming up with ideas... you get the picture.

Well, same thing when I'm in my studio: I enjoy playing music that matches my creative rhythm on any particular day. On low energy days, music helps me get into the creative mind frame  Other days it helps me stay motivated, masks my tinnitus, gets me excited, reminds me of days past, or allows me to mull things over.

This Huffington Post article shares study results that art therapy and mindfulness training lead to decreased stress in breast cancer patients. And - what the heck - I'll go out on a limb and make the assertion that if it's good for "us" it's probably good for all.

Would I care for another helping of creativity and mindfulness? Yes, please! If it feels as good as it does, allows ideas to percolate, and reduces stress and anxiety...BRING IT ON.

Artsy pics of some of the beaded snowflakes.
These can be used as tree ornaments or winter window decorations.

Card and/or photo clip display sets.