Being a maker has been a part of me for as long as I can remember.
And its something that I consciously continue to nurture through adulthood.
This yearLoveCraftsis hosting their annual awards for craft bloggers, the Crafties (love it!).
They asked bloggers to ponder about a simple question: Why do you make?.
My mom is a maker.
We grew up thinking she just plain ol loved gardening, but now that Im older I think otherwise.
It wasnt always the perennials that ignited her.
I believe gardening is a vessel in which she is able to express her creativity through.
It excites her and shes darn good at it too!
My dad is a maker.
My brother and I watched him enjoy every inch of the process and learn along the way.
My grandma was a creative soul too.
From crocheting/knitting/sewing to jewelry design.
And I recently learned she was a painter too (watercolour) !
The picture below is one of her beautiful blanket creations which she made for us years ago.
Ive tried crocheting before and I sucked, lol.
But one day Ill stitch that blanket and make my grandma proud!
It has also shown me that there is no one way to be creative.
It all depends on your personal experiences, and what draws you in or calls to you.
But had I been forced to paint, I might have not enjoyed it either.
And this is what drew ME in.
Id sketch something interesting in front of me or a random design.
I soon learned that I could shade/blend using my pencil and a simple Kleenex tissue and a finger.
From drawing, I started dabbling into paints and this hit a sweet spot of enjoyment and expression.
I also experimented with different painting styles.
From portraits, landscapes, realistic to abstract.
The one that really spoke to me was abstract art.
It makes me feel nifty by living in the absolute moment.
And this, my friends, circles back to the question of why I make.
I make because it feels good and its fun.
I make because it allows me to express something I cant through any other means.
I make because I need me time to explore my own unique enjoyments.
