hey friends! toaster and i are so excited to be over on treasuring, jessica swift’s blog for a super fun interview! i was so excited when she asked me to be a part of her artists and renegades series- she’s one of my most favorite surface pattern designers and i always love to see what she’s up to! in this interview, we’re talking about dreams, mottos, embarrassing photos and playing two truths and a lie. come join the fun!

p.s. if you guess the lie, but sure to check back later today as i’ll be popping in to reveal the TRUTH!

p.s.s. if you haven’t already, be sure to check out jessica’s rainboots, jump trust repeat - the e-book for aspiring artists, and her super fun shop.

wrap up: {artists & renegades} {creative} {fun} {interview} {jessica swift}

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i’ve been especially inspired by ink lately. if you have any favorite tattoos you been eying, please share them in the comments section! i’ll meet you there. :)

p.s. if you’re interested, you can follow my ink board here!

wrap up: {art} {body} {creative} {ink} {inspirational} {tattoo}

today i hope you’ll find this inspirational art by louisest art inspiring. maybe you can see, if only for a moment, that there is nothing lacking, and draw inspiration from that place. happy creating, dear friends!

wrap up: {creative} {inspiration} {LouisestArt} {nothing lacking} {quote}

blue like the sea by yvette inufio photography

well dear ones, we come to the close of yet another week. for the next few days, i want to inspire you to be like the sea. always tossing and trying new directions, while keeping a constant current and predictable tide. try something new this weekend, but remember what your constant is. be creative and honor yourself with some special you time. i look forward to meeting you again on monday- love, bonnie

wrap up: {constand} {creative} {ocean} {predictable} {sea} {tide} {water}

Next time you find yourself sitting for long periods of time writing a story or standing in that awkward position at the easel…try these five yoga poses and see how they will ENHANCE your creativity.

Wrist relief. As we hold our pen, type across the keys of the keyboard, or practice notes on our instruments we forget about the tiny bunch of bones that make it all possible…our wrists. The next moment…Cramp! Before you cramp up take a few moments to bend your elbow so that your forearm comes in toward your chest. Flex the wrist so that your palm faces up toward to ceiling. Using the opposite hand, press down on your extended fingertips to open the wrist…hold for 10 breaths and then bend your wrist in the opposite direction, so that your fingertips almost rest on your shoulder. Hold for 10 breaths and then do the other side.

Seated cat/cow. If you’re confined to the desk this is a great move to try out, but I recommend getting on the floor and doing regular cat/cow if you can. Artists tend to find themselves with shoulders that are hunched over so this is great to open up the heart and increase mobility in the spine. Inhale and draw the shoulder blades onto the back, spread the collarbones, look up and allow the chest to expand. Exhale, round the spine like a Halloween cat, round the shoulders, draw the navel toward your spine, and tuck your chin. This pose is just as much about the breath as it is the fluid motion of the spine. Work it and it will work you!

Hello Hamstrings! Giving the ole’ hamstrings a good stretch with a forward fold, standing or seated, is a great, restorative pose for artists. As creative people we tend to put so much pressure on ourselves to always perform and put out “perfect” work. Try this pose and as you stand there hinging at the hips let all your insecurities and fears literally roll off your back. Anatomically this pose will release your lower back, lengthen the spine, and tone the hamstrings that we all love to shorten as we sit driving or creating for hours.

Healing Hip Opener. Here is another pose that you can do in the chair or supine on a yoga mat. Releasing tension in the hips opens up more space for creative breakthroughs so try it out! Scoot to the edge of your seat…both feet firmly planted on the ground. Place your right ankle on top of your left leg just above the knee. Breathing in, lengthen your spine by rooting through the sit bones and reaching the crown of your head toward the sky. Breathing out and keeping the spine long and straight begin folding the torso gently over the legs. You’ll feel this in your hip. Be kind to your hips and only fold to your edge. Hold this pose for a minute or so and then switch sides.

Breathe. That’s right! It’s that simple. Taking a moment to walk away from your work, get out of your mind, and back into your body can do wonders for your creative energy. Try sitting in a comfortable position. Relax the jaw, let your shoulders fall away from your ears, root through your sit bones as you extend through the crown of your head and turn inward. Silently and lovingly observe your breath as you send yourself some kindness. If nothing else, Artists can always use more breathing and more kindness.

How has yoga enhanced your creative experience? How has creativity enhanced your yoga? I would love to know!

My name is Courtney Pearce! I am a yoga teacher, creative soul, Great Dane momma, Health Promotions nerd, blogger at yogag33k.com, and co-creator of “Dancing in the Fire: A 30 day journey to creativity through yoga and art” with Eliza Tobin. Join us this August to meet your creativity through art journaling, meditation, and yoga! Go to 30 days of yoga and art and receive two FREE creative affirmation prints. I look forward to connecting and meeting kindred spirits along the journey to creativity through yoga and art! Namaste.

wrap up: {artist} {courtney pearce} {creative} {health} {poses} {yoga}

hello, friends! i’ve been enjoying some really great reads lately and thought you might like to know the latest additions to my bookshelf!

 
1. creative, inc.- the ultimate guide to running a successful freelance business by meg mateo ilasco & joy deangdeelert cho. this crafster book teaches you everything you need to know about starting your own freelance biz. from setting up shop to working with clients and agents- the advice in this book is priceless.

2. the total money makeover by dave ramsey. finally! a book that spells out exactly what you should do with your finances in an easy to understand way. the sure-fire way to get out of debt, stay out of it, and start managing your finances responsibly. i’m telling you, this is the best book i’ve read in a very long time.

3. the conscious cook by tal ronnen. i just got this fantastic cook book in the mail this week! it’s 100% vegan, and you’d never know it. with creamy, ‘meaty’, and easy-to-fix-unusual meals throughout, i’m going to be cooking my way through this one start to finish.

4. the history of redemption edited by ronnie smith and illustrated by christopher koelle. i’ve talked about this book before and was so excited to finally get it. the illustrations are absolutely stunning and the story (of course) is timelessly beautiful.

do you have a favorite latest additions to your bookshelf? please share!

wrap up: {books} {bookshelf} {cookbook} {crafty} {creative} {money} {read}

as crafsters, we need to make sure to support and encourage our creative side as much as possible.  walking into a space that doesn’t inspire you can be a real buzz kill, so today, we’ll talk about 10 things you can do to keep your creative spaces inspirational.

{inspiration wall in my sewing room}

1) surround yourself with beautiful things.  whether it’s artwork, colorful patterns or previous projects, make sure your space is a reflection of yourself and that you get inspired by the things you see when you enter the room.  ever evolving inspiration boards, clip boards or wire picture holders are a great way to keep beauty around you.

{my sewing room}

2) lighten up. natural day light is invigorating and clear, where as yellow house bulbs can be a little suppressing.  either way, make sure you have plenty of light for your projects, as straining your eyes can be exhausting.  using lamps with clear bulbs can be a savior when it comes to detailed work.

3) keep a well stocked craft room. whether it’s scissors, glue, yarn or thread- make sure to have plenty of whatever you find you need the most.  having to run to the store mid-project can totally disrupt your creative process.

{my sewing table feb 09}

4) keep your space organized. it’s amazing how much more quickly you can accomplish tasks when you know exactly where everything is. take note of the positioning as well,  if you find yourself always having to get up to cross the room for a pair of scissors, move them (that sounds silly, but i just realized i was doing this a few weeks ago)!

5) be comfortable. if you’re sitting make sure to have a supportive, comfortable chair with a table at the appropriate height.  if you’re standing, make sure you have supportive shoes on and you’re not hunching over to work.  keep the temperature where you like it and pull your hair back if it’s in your way. heck- stay in your pj’s if you like!

{sewing room}

6) keep it tidy.  easier said than done, right?  this is a new one that i’ve been really trying to stick to.  it’s so overwhelming to feel inspired to create, and then enter a mess (okay, a disaster) of a sewing room.  clean up after every single project, and you’re space will be clean and inviting the next time you get ready to craft.

{moving and cleaning}

7) minimize distractions. take the phone off the hook, ask your mister to watch the kids, lock the door or do whatever you need to be able to focus.  if you find yourself stopping everything to watch the tv or check twitter, consider turning off those distractions as well.  time wasters are addicting, consuming and definitely not productive.

8) remove anything you find bothersome. is it something in your room? a piece of art? the way you have to walk around the ironing board to get to the cutting table? whatever you find annoying, remove it or rethink it.

{sewing nook complete}

9) jam out. jazz, hip hop, oldies- if it get’s your hips swinging and your mind focused, turn it on and jam out.

10) stop before you get overwhelmed.  open a window and let a fresh breeze hit your face or turn a pot of tea on.  make sure to take care of yourself and do a few things that you know will keep you refreshed, focused and on task.

i took these photos of my sewing room this morning.  i really am keeping it clean, see?! :)  i think i have finally gotten it well stocked, organized and planned out- and because of that, i have been more productive than ever.

how do you keep your space inspiring?

wrap up: {creative} {inspire} {organize} {room} {sewing} {spaces} {tidy}

today’s post is going to take you on a little trip!  i’m guest posting for tara over at scoutie girl on how to nourish your creativity, and that’s where i’m going to send you for today’s etsy shop help article! it’s all about the things i do to nourish, embrace and support my creativity, and i encourage you to share the ways that you feed your creative side as well.  head over to scoutie girl to read nourish your creativity and share with us all the things you do that keep your creative side inspired!

wrap up: {creative} {creativity} {etsy shop help} {inspire} {nourish} {small business}