For the past several years I have been dreaming and planning about how I want to live a creative life again…I felt I had no direction…I didn't even know for sure what it was I wanted to do creatively…of course, one of the first things that came to mind was making dolls again, but after making 100s and 100s and wholesaling them, that wasn't really an option. Wholesaling really took the fun out of creating for me. And, there is just no way I'd be able to sit at a sewing machine for hours and hours like I did 20 years ago.
For about the past 2 1/2 years I've been taking online mixed media classes and deveoping and honing new skills…I learned how to scuplt clay, I taught myself to knit, and there is so much more I want to learn and/or get better at. But trying to narrow down my choices and options…I really struggled with that. And then…sometimes life has a way of happening…no matter what we plan and work towards…sometimes we're just scooped up in a twister and we land PLOP…right in the Land of Oz!
I began collaborating with Monica Zuniga of Hands and Heart in the beginning of December, and since then I've hardly had a chance to catch my breath! It's been so easy to work with her…we have similar tastes…styles…this partnership is just SO easy…we began our second mixed media doll class on February 2. The Mixed Media Quilted Art Doll workshop combines so many of the materials and skills that I love! If I weren't teaching it, I'd surely be taking it, that's for sure! Ah…but let me back up a bit…to…THE…first doll making class…Moshi Moshi…the first class that began on January 1…
It has been so exciting to see our students' projects, and especially seeing them so excited about making cloth dolls…this class is perfect for someone who has never made a cloth doll before, and yet, with Monica's instructions for doing the faces…they turns out just beautifully! One of our students, Brenda, is just exuberant about making dolls, and I'm pleased that she gave me permission to share her first dolls…all her Moshi Moshi dolls so far have been given as gifts, and she tells me that even though it's hard to give up her creations, the receivers have been very grateful…I can see why…she definitely gave them a piece of herself! I know now, that as a teacher, it is such a blessing to see what your students have learned and use it…and Brenda definitely has THE spark of creativity!
These are a couple of the dolls that Brenda recently completed…
Monica and I recently discussed Moshi Moshi and the feedback we've received from our students…and we're working on expanding that class…so be looking for updates on Moshi Moshi!
This week we began our second collaboration, and as usual, once Monica and I got to discussing technqiues and possibilities, this class has taken on a life of it's own as well…I'm so excited about it that I can hardly sleep! Here's the promotional video for that class…our classroom is growing and with it, the excitement is growing as well…good stuff…
So…with all my careful planning, my education…when did actually LIVING THE CREATIVE LIFE HAPPEN? I think it happened at the moment I decided to take a risk and just do it. No planning everything in detail, and keeping notebook after notebook of plans and to do lists will ever make it happen if you don't just begin…and BEGIN is my "word" for 2011. I can't procrastinate, and make detailed plan after detailed plan if I don't just do it…and, I'm so thankful I did. This is already turning out to be a fabulous year! It's a lot of hard work, but when you're doing what you love…you don't even notice…living the creative life isn't always easy…but I wouldn't want to be doing anything else right now…and THIS time I will enjoy and be thankful every step of the way, for however long it lasts.
Thank you for stopping by today, and as always…
Hugs and toodles!
What say you?