A Bold New Direction
Why is a woman (who loved her career of 36 years, who was told by a teacher as a child that she was no good at art, and who didn’t actually start ‘having a go’ at creative ‘stuff’ until her 40s) now absolutely bursting with excitement and anticipation about completely changing direction in life and opening a craft centre?
Overcoming the "I'm Not Good Enough" Myth
My passion comes from a number of places. I’ve always wanted people to feel valued—I’ve been like that since childhood. I know exactly what it feels like to worry that I won’t be good enough. Well, I was told I couldn’t be at an informative age, so that’s got to be true, right?! … It now turns out that this is far from the truth.
The Magic of Crafting
I love witnessing someone achieving something for the first time and the joy that brings (I was privileged to witness that many times as an Occupational Therapist). I love experiencing that for myself too, especially when crafting. I’ve discovered that a whole day just disappears in happy, engrossed seconds. I can actually make things I’m proud of!
I’m still ‘great’ at beating myself up, thinking “surely it’s not going right” along the way—d’oh! But I think it’s the pure enjoyment of creativity that still amazes me. How on earth can making this card out of bits and pieces I’ve collected allow me to feel so blooming good about myself—even if I’ve been stressed or grumpy before making it?
The Joy of Sharing Creativity
The answer… well, there’s a growing body of research out there that’s finding out those answers. But personally, it’s the sense of achievement, being able to forget about the world around me and just ‘be,’ and finding my confidence growing bit by bit as I make yet another thing that isn’t a ‘disaster.’
Plus, there’s the enjoyment of sharing the experience with others and the contentment that ‘giving something I’ve made to someone I love’ can bring them such happiness. As far as I’m concerned, crafting is ace!!!
Building a Community of Crafters
The why that will keep my passion alive is primarily giving others the experience of having a go and the sense of achievement it brings. I guess there are quite a few of ‘me’ out there…
“I’m no good at art.”
“I’ve never been able to draw.”
“How do you do that? I couldn’t even start.”
Well, my new lived experience is this: Even though I’ve said all of the above, I’ve now made a range of gorgeous things by simply ignoring the voice that says, “you won’t be able to do that” and actually trying. Suddenly, the “I can’t” has become “I can!”—isn’t that just a soul-affirming thing?!
I want to share that experience with as many people as possible. I want to grow a community of:
“I came, I experienced, I achieved – and to top it all, I made new friends.”
The Power of Support
Finally, of massive significance, importance, and joy to me is my beautiful Kate. Everyone needs a Kate in their lives! I know having her by my side will certainly keep my passion for Our Crafty Place burning. She patiently supports me, trusts me, and encourages me to try new things.
I adore the very bones of her. Thank you for being on this journey with me, gorgeous woman. Bit by bit, you are helping me dismantle the negatives in my head and replace them with a “well, what’s the worst that could happen?!”.
A Craft Centre with Purpose
Kate and I make a great team with the varying skills we have between us, and together, we will create a positive experience for our crafters. When folk come and join us, our passion and belief in the power of crafting will no doubt rub off.
We’ll create a whole new community of budding crafters, all proudly enjoying their new skills in a happy, friendly building that, like me, now has a new purpose in life.
