A Bit Of Creative Inspiration…
Don’t laugh, I’ve found a new hobby! I love crafts although knitting has always been my ‘go-to’, but after a recent disaster that took months to create I need to put it aside for a while so I can lick my wounds.
I went to the Creative Craft Show a few weeks ago at the NEC and had a great day! It was lovely to see all the beautiful things people create with different mediums. Now, I’ve wanted to try Quilling for years but never had easy access to the equipment you need to do it. But, Hey Presto, there was one stand at the show devoted to the art!
So what’s Quilling? It’s the ancient art of creating patterns and pictures with strips of paper to create infinite filigree patterns and pictures and so much more. I got home and tried it and I’m hooked! And no, it’s nothing like Origami!
These were made using strips of paper (not by me I hasten to add, I’m not that good yet!)! Oh god, I’m starting to sound like an advert for Quilling! But, I love art, I went to art school and was in my element but had to leave for reasons beyond my control, my love of creating art in different forms has never left me though.
Why am sharing this with you? Because I believe that everyone needs a pastime that is all consuming whilst you’re doing it. Our brains need a rest and an absorbing hobby can provide just that, if you’re engrossed in something it’s hard to worry about everything else going on your life. It’s a kind of Mindfulness, even Meditation.
Reading is the same type of brain rest and everyone must give their minds a rest or the world will overwhelm you. Until relatively recently in history, everything was made by hand. Hard, meticulous, painstaking work, it’s that stillness of mind that we need to try and recreate in this modern, hectic world.
Quilling or knitting etc…may not be for you but sport, reading, drama, puzzles etc… might be. Looking for a pastime that helps still your mind is time well invested in yourself, and you deserve that investment. Not only do you deserve that investment, your family and friends deserve it too as you work towards becoming the best version of yourself you can be…for yourself and them.
I’d love to know what you do to still your mind, it might inspire someone else, and I’ll keep you updated on my ‘Quilling’ progress!
