Craft For Health

Gifted Hands by Kathy Peterson

 

Photo courtesy of Guido Danele

In my efforts to discover new and exciting artists and crafters, I have uncovered some amazing people.  During this journey, I recently stumbled across an amazing man named Guido Daniele.  His art is so spellbinding and his canvas is as unusual as is his art.  Look closely--what do you see?  A Zebra, yes but wait it's someones hand and arm.  This curious approach to art does fool the eye-- then becomes  suddenly provoking. 

 

Photo courtesy of Guido Danele

Place two hands together and wallah!  An eagle spreads it's wings.  Quido's creativity goes way beyond these two creatures.  You can check him out at his website.

  

Barb and I are so  pleased to say that Guido gave Craft For Health his permission to show off his inspiring artwork.  Just looking at his amazing artistic style is so inspiring and enriching.  I can only imagine the calming feel to the skin as his paint brush makes each stroke and then later---your hand and arm are beautifully transformed into an artful wild animal. 

 

  

If you know of any artists that inspire and empower you in unexpected therapeutic ways, Barb and I would enjoy hearing from you.  You can email us at Kathy-Barb (@) CraftForHealth (dot) com

  

 

To your good health,

Kathy Peterson –Founder Craft For Health

Creative Every Day Challenge by Leah

Creativity is an essential part of my mental health toolkit. Like many creative people, I'm a sensitive soul who has dealt with depression. One of the ways I've healed and continue to heal myself is through creating. I find when I'm feeling low or anxious, if I can turn to my creativity and pick up the paintbrush, I almost always feel better. 

Creating art is my way of expressing that which can't be expressed in words. I work in an intuitive way, so oftentimes when I start, I don't know what I'm going to create. I simply keep asking myself, "What color or material am I drawn to? What mark do I want to make?" and I go with the flow. When I work in this way, things that are floating around in my subconscious start to come to the surface, my chattering monkey-mind quiets, and I feel more connected to my spirituality. I love creating in this way because what happens is always a bit of a surprise and I feel a sense of relief afterwards.

 

Sometimes, when I'm feeling depressed, it can be hard to get going. I think that's part of why I started the Creative Every Day Challenge. It's a gentle approach with a broad idea of what creativity means, so I can keep involved in different creative projects even when my energy is low. I've also learned to embrace my creative cycles, knowing that there will be times when I'm totally inspired and creating a lot, and other times when I'm more quiet and taking in information. By accepting these cycles, I'm much less stressed when my productivity is slower, and I simply turn my attention to other things. 

I love how the Creative Every Day Challenge keeps creativity in the forefront of my mind each day. I've found that what I focus on expands, and by focusing on how I can live a creative life, I see opportunities and inspiration in everything I do. I also love the community that has built up around the challenge. I'm continually inspired by the work everyone involved is doing and seeing their work encourages me to stretch myself in new ways. 

 

I can't imagine my life without creating. It's an incredibly healing practice and there's always room to grow and learn within it. 

 

My name is Leah Piken Kolidas and I'm a mixed-media artist living near Boston, Massachusetts with my husband and o four fuzzy cats. Leah sells her artwork at BlueTreeArtGallery.com and blogs, teaches workshops, and runs creativity challenges at CreativeEveryDay.com. 

 

Fabric and Thread --My Therapy in Disguise by Diane

 

It’s taken me a long time to discover that the handwork passions I have pursued all of my life are my therapies in disguise.  I’ve always felt that there was a frustrated artist lurking below my veneer of high school math teacher.  I had complained for years that I was unable to meditate successfully (my mind continually moves around in ridiculous directions), and it took a highly intuitive friend to help me realize that machine quilting is my form of meditation.

  

  

 

 

I enter a different world when I walk into my studio.  The physical aches and pains that accompany six decades of living seem to fade into the background –- I am about to have fun with fabric and thread, and nothing else matters.  It is nearly impossible for my mind to wander too far from the project before me; the left half of my brain, which has guided me through 24 years of teaching mathematics, refuses to give up on solving the problem at hand until the right half has played with all the possibilities. 

  

 

 

I seem to be in my most meditative state when I am guiding the quilt sandwich through the machine, following the lines of the motifs which I have drawn on the fabric, concentrating on the size of the stitches as I strive for uniformity.  Sometimes there is a great dealing of un-sewing, but I know this is necessary, because, in the end, I want to experience that rush of joy at seeing my vision come to life in fabric.

 

 

 

  

  

My name is Diane Evans and I am a retired math teacher, studio quilt artist, and blogger.  I agree with Danny Kaye that “life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint you can on it.”  My designs are available for sale on my website and I am happy to do commissions –- just contact me.

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.    

Hear My Artistic Voice by Manon Doyle

 

For many years I didn't know who I was or what I wanted out of life. I was creating art everyday but it was work that I thought would make others happy. I believe that I was lost with my work and lost in my life.

 

In my late thirties things slowly started to shift. I started to paint women in my journal. These women were strong, sensitive, happy, sad and most had a message of hope. They spoke to my heart and showed me the way. Somehow through the women, I discovered my artistic voice but most importantly I found me.

Art journaling is so easy and can be life changing. No skills required. You can use paint, crayons, pencil, collage.... whatever your heart desires. Squish your fingers in the paint, write words and scribble. Set yourself free.... dig in!  And fill your heart with art!

 

 

 

My name is Manon Doyle and I'm a mixed media and mosaic artist. You can visit me at my blog, http://manondoyle.blogspot.com  or website  http://hoochiepoochiestudios.com

 

GIVEAWAY:  Manon has graciously offered to giveaway one of her mixed media pieces.  TO ENTER simply post your comment on her entry and we'll pull the winner out of a hat!  Good Luck!

I Found Myself in Arts and Crafts by Reija Eng

I was recently talking to some old friends that I hadn't met since me and my family moved from Sweden to UK nearly two years ago. During this time I have carried our now 13-month-old twins full-term, given birth to them via a painful cesarean section, looked after our eldest four-year-old daughter alongside two babies and tried to keep everyone happy while never getting a whole night's sleep. In addition, I have been bound to my neighbourhood surroundings; I don't drive and I wouldn't fit in to the bus with the twin buggy and buggy board - a combination that people, more or less accurately, refer to as a minivan.
 
I was telling my friends how hard life was in the grey suburbs of London with endless rows of shabby houses and only a few trees, and how difficult it has been for us to adjust, being used to the lush green nature and fresh air of Sweden. In this moment one of my friends commented, with some amusement in his voice, that at least I had my scrapbooking.

 
Yes, at least I have my scrapbooking! My days are filled with routines involving my children and their wellbeing. It's a five to nine job without any major breaks. I take huge pride in what I do for my children, but without realising it I have slowly given up my social life and my freedom. There really isn't much one can do after the kids have gone to sleep, and although my husband contributes a lot to childcare and housework, I'm always too tired in the evenings. All this has led me to question who I am. Am I just a mother, an all-in-one diaper changing-washing-cooking-soothing-smoothing-mother-machine, alone in a foreign country? Or am I still me and if so, who exactly am I?

 
Everybody with children knows that part of being a parent is giving up on your own time and making way for a new identity. It's about thinking what's best for the children and doing your utmost for their growth and happiness in life. All parents know that in this lifechanging process it's easy to forget about yourself, but I think it's extremely important to find a balance between being a parent and being you, and giving yourself time without children.
 
In the midst of all these domestic demands, I can honestly say that scrapbooking has saved my life. It might sound strange but when I finally get some time for myself, after being up and running for 15 hours, being by myself and being creative means everything to me. Scrapbooking is my therapy. I love the evenings when I get to sit by myself and indulge in the pretty materials. It's a creative process, a complete opposite to my daily routines. It's my way of developing my identity and holding on to it. Going back to the moments captured on the photos helps me reflect on life and decide what memories I want to preserve for the future. To create something with photos of me and my family also makes me realise how great life is, despite the sleepless nights and the heavy workload. Ultimately, scrapbooking has made me realise that yes, I am a mum of three but I'm still me and a huge part of me is to use my hands creatively. I found myself in arts and crafts and being creative and expressing myself has helped me in finding my identity. And in the end, exploring and developing my identity has made me both happier and healthier. 
 
If you are interested in scrapbooking, have any questions or want to see what else I've made, you are more than welcome to visit my blog: http://reijapysslar.blogspot.com/

 

Simple Act of Shaping Paper Unleashes My Creative Side by Ann

I’m fortunate to have been born into a family of makers. My dad is the proverbial fix-it man, and mother and grandmothers were role models of patience while introducing me to many crafts during my childhood. Christmas at our house always included the latest kits and stacks of supplies under the tree. I became a medical/surgical hospital nurse and although I loved my fast-paced job, I always looked forward to coming home and spending a stress-free hour or two on whatever craft I was immersed in at the moment.  

Several years ago, I noticed an article in a magazine about something that was completely new to me, called paper filigree. I was instantly captivated by its elegant look and the seemingly magical things that could be done by rolling and shaping narrow strips of paper. I set about reading all I could find on the subject and connected with other paper artisans via online groups. I was interested to learn that paper filigree has changed very little in its five hundred year history. Believed to have begun in European monasteries, gilded paper coils and scrolls were used to embellish objects as an alternative to more costly gold or silver filigree.

Once I had familiarized myself with the technique, quilling as it’s also known, became one of the most relaxing things I’ve ever done. Completely immersed in my thoughts, I plan a project and move through the steps of creating it. Most of all I love the challenge of making something that shows a completely fresh approach to this age-old art.

When doing demonstrations to introduce paper filigree to others, some people are so fascinated they linger to watch and ask many questions. I love seeing their enthusiasm and excitement, so similar to what I felt the first time I came across paper quilling.

I’m grateful that the simple act of shaping paper allows me to unleash my creative side and brings goodness into my life – new skills, new friends, and a sense of accomplishment with each completed design.

 

My name is  Ann Martin and I'm a paper filigree artist in Delaware. US.  I design projects for books and magazines and enjoy writing about a wide variety of creative paper artisans on my blog, All Things Paper.

Happy To Be Creative Everyday by Julene

My craft of paper cutting helped me through the challenge of being laid off in 2008.  Now I'm so happy that I can be creative everyday and earn a living from it. It's a dream really.  Because of the lay-off, this changed the path of my creative career. I began making paper cuts as one-off gifts for friends, and realised they were hugely popular.  Although I am now very busy, the time spent at the actual cutting mat however is very relaxing. The precision required and the repetitive nature helps me to focus and unwind. Not only from the stress of this new venture but also from the other things in life that weigh you down. It's a time for me to think and plan rather than the running about like a headless chicken which I now seem to do the rest of the time.

Shortly after my job loss, I started getting commissions for my designs. Since then I have set up a website and blog (madebyjulene.com) to deal with demand, and have since created hand-made paper cuts for people all over the world. I haven't done any advertising myself, I really have the online design community to thank. None of this would have been possible without the internet and the encouragement of others. 

My name is Julene Harrison and I love how my art of paper cutting helps me to relax.

Healing From Illness Made Easier Through Artwork by Gail Green

After the initial shock of my early breast cancer diagnosis, I created an illustration line (Sweet PETatoes®) that was immediately licensed for memory products for pets and is the foundation for my current illustration style that I am known for nationwide.  Prior to that, I had always spent my time creating art according to client needs and specs, instead of exploring and expressing my passions.  Art and crafting had become a business, and, in doing so, had lost much of the pure joy associated with the act of simply playing. 

The unexpected diagnosis, however, was a wake-up call for me.  At that moment I realized I didn’t have unlimited time to create the art I wanted to create—the kind of art that comes straight from the heart.  When I was healing from my surgeries and later, radiation, I began playing, going back to a time when I was an art student drawing and painting for the sake of creating instead for the purpose of pleasing a client. 

Craft Your Fat Off by Janice Taylor

“What’s your ‘stay fat’ strategy?”  
“Is your past masquerading as your future?”  
“Are you drowning in drama?” 

And my favorite, “What’s the difference between you and an Olympic swimmer? … Seriously!”

You can be sure that these queries bring about lively conversation that ultimately helps to change their relationship not just with food, but with themselves! 

Extraordinary results!

And then the day culminates in an arts & crafts project. One such project that has popped up in previous workshops is: The Affirmation Container!

What is An Affirmation?

An affirmation is a form of auto-suggestion a.k.a. self-hypnosis, in which a statement is made about the future in the present tense, as if it had already happened in the past.

Yes, that's right. Repeat, please ... An affirmation is a statement about the future, made in the present, as if it had already happened in the past!

It is a statement or a desirable intention that you can deliberately meditate on, or repeat in order to embed in both your conscious and unconscious minds. It is a statement that transcends time and space.

Repetition opens the door to your unconscious mind. And your unconscious mind is much like a computer. Today, you are beginning to input the right program into your mind. Your programming is called the "I CAN" Program and it is designed by YOU!

When we speak in 'affirmations...'

"I am in control of my life, and I am committed to my goals."

... our unconscious hears the affirmation as a fact that is yet to be and it immediately seeks ways in which to manifest this new fact. Yes, your unconscious is taking your affirmation in as fact.