I was asked by the lovely & super talented Massofhair to do my very first blog hop!
She is a fabulous artist & inspirational woman! Well worth a follow on her blog & on Twitter!
The blog hop is about getting to know more about each other by answering some questions, so here goes!
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| Journal page 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.' |
About Me
I'm a 35 year old wife & mother from Northants in UK & I work as a Teaching Assistant in a local primary school. I am also partially deaf and currently studying British Sign Language.
I started making things from a young age. My Grandma taught me to knit, crochet, embroider, cook & to embrace my creative side. She even allowed me to paint a mural on her bedroom wall when I was 9! I started distressing jeans long before it was fashionable & have always had my own sense of style. I always wanted to go to art college but unfortunately it never happened... My art teacher didn't like me much & told me that I wasn't very good so I didn't continue with my creative journey until I was much older. I re-started my journey by making cards, which my Mum encouraged me to do! Thanks Mum!
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| Greetings card. |
Then moved into jewellery...
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| 'Saracen' Necklace. |
and also mixed media, which I love!
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| Altered box. |
Before working in school, I was a self employed mixed media artist & sold my wares at local art markets & emporiums. I also taught workshops in various techniques and medias. Guess my art teacher was wrong, eh!
I was also on Stamping Dragon design team & have taken part in art challenges for PaperArtsy.
Why do you create what you do?
I used to create commissions for others but it can be very frustrating to create things for sale! I mainly make art for myself & as gifts to others. My art is my therapy! My job can be very stressful but also very rewarding. I don't get a lot of spare time as I have 4 children, 3 step-children & 2 beautiful step-granddaughters, but when I do, I love to get messy & the kids can join in too!
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| 'Elsie' Wedding Posy made with polymer clay. |
How does your creative process work?
I usually have an idea of how it will look & my brain is fabulous at keeping me awake at night with loads of ideas! I even dream ideas... Although I quite often 'see' my creations before they actually exist, I do love the freedom of 'randomness' & going with the flow.
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| 'Lydia's Happiness House' made for my daughter's 13th birthday. |
How do you stay motivated?
I will be honest, I have lost my mojo & found it hard to get it back. I'm the first to admit I am, (as most creatives are) emotionally charged. So my art is closely linked to how I'm feeling. I have suffered with depression in the past and am very aware how quickly the downward spiral can start, so I try to stay positive as much as I can. But sometimes the fight becomes too hard. My art can reflect this. Sometimes I dry up completely, then other times my creative juices overflow! I must be a challenge to live with!
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| 'Tears' journal page. |
What are you creating at the moment?
My latest make was a 'Positivity folder'. It stores my inspiration papers, which I hope will help me fight off the mojo eater! I am a member of Jennibellie's Journal Workshop and made an 'Inspiration Station'. Check out her YouTube channel, she's fab!
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| 'Positivity Folder' |
I hope this 'getting to know you' post wasn't too boring...
Thank you for taking the time to stop by & read it!
Now to introduce the creative souls I have chosen to pass the baton too!
Mary Woolley from Black Flower Creative.
Find her on Twitter as @Mezzy1306
and the lovely Emma Taylor from Pink Sparkle Days.
Find her on Twitter as @pinksparklegirl
Give them both a follow & pop over to read their inspirational stories next week!
Crafty hugs
Sez x
WOW Sarah, i love your post far from boring! Great to know you know who you are and that you have a style.
ReplyDeleteHave been a HUGE fan of your work since i found you and i enjoy reading about your challenges with life and Art.
Loving the Positivity Folder as a way of keeping your dream and awake ideas. Gave myself permission to have a 'vent journal' as i need somewhere i can say anything. Am afraid to start it as have a notion it will get full very quickly lol.
Thank you for sharing your varied and very beautiful creations with us. It's been an honour to get to know you a little bit more.
Fantastic post, Love & Light
M :-) xxx
What a lovely blog post. I have enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteYou have inspired me with the positivity folder, something which I could find very useful..... another thing I have to copy from you.
And as for the house I only wish I had girls, sadly my boys aren't interested in things like that.
Well I best get planning my post. Aaargh!
I have found your "getting to know you" blog really interesting Sarah. I have always found your work to be completely inspiring and look to you as someone who is hugely creative. So, you go quiet from time to time, that is your way of coping with stuff. I understand that and wait for the light to shine on you once again. So pleased that you are able to inspire little ones also. They will remember for a long time things that they create with you. Soo pleased that you shared your thoughts with us and really admire your honesty. Xx
ReplyDeleteLove your post - it's so good to find out more about fellow crafters might bump into you at some time as I'm in northants aswell .
ReplyDeleteAny tips on local workshops etc gratefully received .
I love the idea of a positivity folder
Xxx
Well, Sarah, it wasn't boring at all! It's been lovely getting to know you a little better. I dream of projects too and I often can't sleep when I have something on the boil! I so sympathize with your depression, it's a horrible thing to suffer from, but arts and crafts can be fabulous therapy. i love the idea of your Positivity Folder. Your art teacher was most definitely wrong because you are creative, talented and versatile as this blog shows. Also you share your gift in your job, which, as Hazel says, will stay with those kids for all their lives, i'm sure. Thank you for sharing so much with us. Julie Annxxx
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to read this - and I hope you get some ideas soon - whether when you're awake or asleep! Your positivity folder sounds a great idea. Happy Creating!!
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your post Sarah. It so nice to learn a little about you and hear about successes as well as your struggles. I too have found joy in art which was recaptured about 18 months ago after being lost for a long time. It has become crucial to my emotional well being. I have found that when I can not find inspiration to create something I stop trying and just play with mediums in any way with no plan. Sometimes something grows into a creation and sometimes not either way is ok. For me the process of playing is what is necessary not what get created.
ReplyDeleteI hope you soon recover your mojo and if I can help in any way let me know. Xxx
Sarah this is a great post and it definately nice getting to know you!! Don't much like the sound of your art teacher!! and you've certainly proved her wrong lol. I think we all lose our mojo at times but what I love about the arty crafty world are the rules...there aren't any!
ReplyDeleteWell lets hope Mr mojo comes hme soon xxxx