Craft For Health

Being Creative Makes My Heart Sing by Helping Others by Vickie

My story is very simple...seeing others go through life changing events, losing my sister to cancer, watching my husband go through chemotherapy and seeing others struggle with other life changing events has stirred in me a desire to encourage and uplift others through art.

In 2006 my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer...I spent hours with him as he went through chemotherapy. Sitting in the treatment room and watching him and the other patients go through this ordeal made me think about how I could use art to help others going through life changing events.

So I began to dream of sharing my art with others and encouraging others to use their creative gifts to gain strength in the midst of their journeys.

www.vickieleastudios.com and www.suitetwentytwo.com

Everyone has a story to tell, we are all artists in some way and art is a medium that everyone can use to tell that story. This dream to encourage through art hasn't left me and 2010 will be the year for me to put this dream into action.

Some form of art has been part of my life since childhood; painting, sewing, photography and jewelry making are just a few of my creative endeavors. My love of all things artistic has led me to pursue surface design, live a creative life and leave behind my old profession of accounting. Creativity makes my heart sing and I truly want to help others find the creative outlet that puts a song in their hearts.

It is an honor to share my story at Craft for Health and I look forward to reading the stories that others share.

My name is Vickie Lea and you can see more of myh artwork at

Piper Always Painted a Smile on my Face

 

 

I lost my  little dog, Piper, from congestive heart failure 6 years ago.  His death hurt me deeply but strangely I had been unable to grieve for my little Piper at the time of his death because of my heavy travel schedule with the launch of a new product I had developed--going from show to show, city to city promoting the new line.  Poor excuse I know, but now as I write this story, I'm shedding long over due tears of grief from my loss----- yet I'm drawn more now to the happiness that little dog brought to my life--which paints a smile on my face. 

So I smile now thinking about how Piper was always a camera hog!  He loved having his picture taken! And he loved being on TV with me when I was asked to be a guest on other shows.   

 

He even became my co-star on my TV series--Town & Country Crafts with Kathy Peterson and co-hosted his own crafty how-to video called Pet Crafts.  Piper had his own fan base too...people would send him letters and pictures of their own pet's all decked out in the outfits I made for him on the show. 

Piper never minded posing in his little crafty outfits including a handmade tuxedo, star spangle star collar, dogie hats, angel wings and more!   And every Halloween, he would sit in my bicycle basket to go dogie trick or treating all decked out in his little halloween outfit I had made for him.  At every house we stopped at, people would smile and hand him a dogie treat. Crafting his little outfits was the best treat of all and great therapy for me.  

So now as I close this story, a few more tears fall down my face wishing Piper were still here with me and wishing I could hear him say "ma-ma-ma-ma".  To my sweet little Piper, mommy misses you but I always smile when I think of you.  You will always be my little man in a dog suit and you will always be in my thoughts.  And yes,  you still paint a smile on my face when I see your own little happy face.  In his memory, I hope to write a childrens book based on his happy life.

In Memory of Piper Peterson 1990-2004

 

My Art is a Tool to Talk about Something Other than my Cancer, by Michelle

 

This is an incredible journey by an incredible woman. Here she shares a bit of her story and some of her art.

Over five years ago I was diagnosed breast cancer. Lumpectomy, radiation, and medication followed.

In May and June of last year my surgeon removed a Sarcoma tumor underneath the skin of my thigh. The following month a third cancer was diagnosed.

Primary peritoneal carcinoma, aka, my Cancer #3, is in the same area my mother’s fatal ovarian cancer. Surgeries, chemotherapy, side effects, scans, physical therapy, and blood tests are ongoing.

Art therapy class is helping me explore feelings of fear and comfort, my past and future, as well as a tool to talk about something other than cancer. I’m an Artist!

Joyful Art

We love the art of Jennifer Lambein and wanted to share more with you this holiday season. 

Enjoy and be well.  Kathy and Barb

 

Merry and Happy and to All a Good Night

 

 

Stay warm, stay cozy and sweet dreams for 2011.  See you back next week.    

Art influencing life By Jennifer Lambein

 

How has art influenced my life? How does art help get me through life's challenges?

The question could be, "How HASN'T art influenced my life." From what clothes I wear, to what song I hear, to what movie I watch, to what pictures grace my walls, to the poem I write a loved one, to what nature is all around, and to what I create with pencil and paintbrush. All of these are forms of art, which effect me constantly. These influence my life physically and mentally. 

For example, I view fashion as art. A pretty shirt, or the perfect pair of shoes can lift my confidence and spirit. The right art on my walls can bring me a serene peace. On a day I'm down, the right song can bring me back to the land of the laughter. I created a painting entitled "Angel Kitty". You can view it here

Anytime people seem harsh or things are too hectic, I look at this painting. It reminds me that there is always pure love existing in the world, and to slow down to appreciate the little things. Creating art is a gift I have been fortunate enough to turn in to a career. Having a career I enjoy is such a blessing! Knowing that my art will connect with others, is one of the most rewarding ways it influences my life. I strive to connect with people by evoking comforting and happy feelings, like the uplifting song. I also hope to bring them some lighthearted fun. Couldn't we ALL use some more fun! 

The influence art has on my life ties in to how it gets me through life's challenges. It can be extremely therapeutic to not only have art in my life, but create it.  It's a self expressive emotional release. The act of painting or creating in general, can be very calming. This is healthy for the mind, body, and spirit. Painting something I'm proud of can be very empowering. Knowing my art touches people is very satisfying. It gives me a greater purpose beyond existing for myself in life. I love the idea of this. 

The thought of cheering up a sick patient or bringing some light in to a darkened soul. There really have been so many times where art has gotten me through a challenge. For example, I currently have my ring tone set to "Eye Of The Tiger" from the movie Rocky. That way every time someone calls, I'll hear that song. It's a very inspirational, energetic, and "You can do it!" kind of song. The lyrics, the tune, and the movie attached are all powerful influences to be something stronger...to be something greater! 

It's through my own art, others creations, and the world around us that art influences me on a daily basis. It helps cleanse the mind, body, and spirit of damaging impurities. It helps connect us on a deep and personal level, even in a world where we can seem more separated than ever. It inspires me to be better, brighter, and colorfully bolder. I also want to point out that you don't have to be a Van Gogh to obtain these rewards or benefits. Even if you can only draw a stick figure, you can still create. So, sign up for that pottery class or buy that scrapbook! 

"Eye Of The Tiger" baby...Eye Of The Tiger.  

To learn more about Jennifer Lambein, visit her website:  www.studiopetite.com

Here's another one of her wonderful Holiday creations.  Check back for more!

 
 

Stockings were Hung

 

 Well, it's that time of year, when Kathy and I are busy getting ready for the Holidays and celebrating this season. It's particularly fun this time of year, because we've loved meeting so many people this year who shared their inspiring stories of how crafting helped them create healthier lives or improved outlooks.

We're gearing up for another fun year and more fun projects and we hope you'll check back regularly and submit your own story of how crafting helped you connect to a friend or family member, lose weight, recover from an illness or just have a sunnier outlook.

Kathy is brushing off the pine needles and busy decorating the tree and her lovely home in time for a family gathering.  I'm exploring Rome and the Italian traditions of Christmas.  We hope that each of you have a holiday season filled with laughter and crafting!

Check back next week for some amazing Holiday art, that we absolutely adore.

Love,

Kathy & Barb

A Daughter Uses Crafts to Honor and Remember Her Mother by Gail Green

 

 

I used crafts to heal from my mother’s death from cancer and the agonizing months watching her deteriorate from the strong, attractive woman I saw my entire life into a total stranger. It was difficult to have so many memories of her suffering, and these daily visuals haunted me throughout the day and night. 

 

 For example, at one point, she was bleeding internally and looked just like someone in full makeup from a scene from the movie “Beetlejuice”, including lips covered in black from the dried blood. Images like that are very hard to erase.  And when they are happening to someone you love, it also becomes traumatizing.

How I coped

So, while my mom was dying from the end stages of the disease, I colorized black and white photos of her, both as a little girl and as a new bride, bringing her back to her past when she was in her happiest days, free from any illness or pain.  The act of coloring was actually an act of lovingly stroking my mother’s face, hair, etc, as well as a way for me to erase the reality of what I saw each time I visited her in hospice.  

  After she passed, I also created a memory box that included one of those photos plus miniature items I crafted representing the things my mother loved to do.  Unfortunately, that box was lost so I do not have a reference photo of it to share.   

  It was not so much the object, however, as it was the act of creating the components for the memory box that helped me heal from the pain.  It was as if I was making things right, erasing her pain as I stroked on the color that gave back life to the black and white photos. Creating items uniquely representing what she loved the most also brought honor to her life and served as a process of reflection on all that we had shared.

You can learn more about Gail Green at www.gailgreen.net and also at www.Sweetpetatoes.com.

  

Visit me on the blogosphere at www.gailgreen.blogspot.com

Creativity to the Obesity Rescue! by Joan Fee

 

 

I was an overweight kid and it hurt!  The whole not being picked for a team, the coming in last in races, having my mom buy me maternity clothes when I was in elementary school, the negative looks and comments from others ripped my little heart out.  

 I carry those hurtful instances around in my daily baggage. But, this baggage has become the catalyst for a whole new direction in my life.  It has led me to becoming involved fighting the childhood obesity epidemic so children will not have to hear the taunts, not have diabetes, not have heart disease.

My journey reminds me that it's not just a personal struggle, it’s a VERY scary thought to see the path that our World is on.  I took my baggage, teamed it with my love of crafting and came up with creative projects to get kids to exercise, eat healthy and unplug without them knowing it.  

   

  

The amazing process is blossoming right before my eyes with my heavy involvement with the Center for Obesity Prevention and Education at a local university.  I'm also finishing an e-book Make Healthy Fun! that has 120+ exciting projects from recipes for a fun healthy edible monster to unusual gardens that kids can create no matter where they live and also to making projects to get kids moving and exercising – all without them knowing it!  

Even more

This has spread into workshops and videos helping families to incorporate healthy living into their lives through fun hands-on projects.  

 

When I look back on my childhood adversity, I now smile when I think how that baggage has changed my life and has rescued me!

  

 

 Join in the fun of getting healthy with creativity at www.MakeHealthyFun.com and  at the Make Healthy Fun Blog.  

The e-book featuring 120+ projects is available at this link. 

 http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fStoreID=2188713

Join the hands-on fun at the Make Healthy Fun! Workshop at the CHA Craft SuperShow in Anaheim, January 23^rd!!! Register at www.CraftSuperShow.com  and sign-up for workshop #W0803 

 

Crafting Helps Me Deal with My Emotions by Gabriela Delworth

 

Art has always been a very important part of my life helped me through challenging times.

Designing and channeling creative energy have helped me express my feelings through art...and deal with my emotions. It has been said that the great masters of art have produced their best pieces through the most difficult times in their lives. I believe this is true.  

My name is Gabriela Delworth and I am a designer and craft instructor.  You can view my work at  www.gabrieladelworth.com and also on my blog. 

Job Loss and Breast Cancer Started my Path to Creative Design by Melissa Lisbon

Hi Kathy & Barb:  I really enjoy reading your blog, and sincerely believe that crafting, or simply exercising your creative side is incredibly beneficial to one's health.   This is my story:

I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer over 3 years ago when I was 39.  I had yet to go for my first mammogram, but after finding a lump in my breast I was sent for a mammogram and biopsy right away.  Like anyone who has had something like this happen, you never prepare yourself for the bad news.  In my mind, I couldn't possibly have cancer.  I prided myself on taking good care of myself and eating healthier than most people I knew.  Nevertheless, I got breast cancer and had a lumpectomy followed by 6 weeks of radiation and hormonal treatment (prescribed for 5 years).  I went through this stage in my life in a daze.  I knew I could get through it but I don't believe I really internalized what was happening.  While I was being treated, I took medical leave from my demanding corporate position.  I was a head of a department with an international law firm, and had worked for this firm for over 13 years. 


Once back at work, I resumed my fast paced stressful existence and put my breast cancer diagnosis behind me.  Early this year, I was told (over the phone) that I was being laid off.  Similar to receiving the call from my doctor to inform me that I had breast cancer, I was in shock and disbelief.  In both circumstances, nothing prepares you for this life changing news.  When I finally came to terms with the layoff and the concept of no longer being responsible for my job, an overwhelming urge came over me to make something with my hands.  It's hard to describe this feeling other than I believe I had surpressed my creative side for so many years that something inside me finally made it's way to my attention.  This urge led me to purchase books on making jewelry and it started my path into creative thinking.  When I learned from a friend that I could sell my handcrafted jewelry on Etsy.com, I got excited.  I soon had set up a shop, entitled "californiablue" where I could post my casual, fresh designs (http://californiablue.etsy.com).  I also started a blog, also called "californiablue" which chronicles my journey into creativity and day to day inspirations I have. 


All in all, I truly believe that crafting, or allowing yourself to be creative in a variety of ways is nourishing for the soul and healing for the body.  My life post cancer and post corporate is not only happier, but healthier due making jewelry.  I don't think anyone needs to get a life threatening diagnosis or be laid off from their job to realize how important feeding your creative spirit really is.  I'm grateful for my life journey thus far, and look forward to the future.

 - Melissa N. Lisbon

shop:  http://californiablue.etsy.com
blog:  http://californiablue.tumblr.com