What We Love: What Sparks Our Creativity
Perhaps you had a chance to see a lovely fireworks display in the last couple of days, or to write your name on the night with a burning sparkler. Though July often begins with a literal bang, this month we’re contemplating what keeps the creative spark kindled in our own lives—the kinds of activities that inspire us and help nourish our creativity.
Carolyn:
In a word: CREATION! For the past two years, it’s been challenging to find a creative outlet when your full time jobs (my work in communications for the Church and being the Creative Director for theYCW & VIGIL) require a lot of creative juice. The well doth run dry, and frequently. And even though I love what I do as my work, I still find myself hungry for a space to go “a little off brand” or try new things or simply allow freedom to make mistakes. For this, I go thrifting, and the way my heart a-flutters when I find something I love is the best feeling. I always go for home goods, and I’m constantly in search of natural materials. I love woven baskets, wooden bookends, marble boxes for trinkets, and the like. Simple and natural. My dad once pointed out man’s creation when we were in a city and how sharp and glaring and harsh it all seemed, and then he told me to think about God’s creation: soft, warm colors, rolling and easy on the eyes. I’ve never forgotten this.
Olivia:
For me, the intention behind creating something is what inspires me the most. While I was pregnant with my second child, I picked up embroidery as a new hobby. Once I learned the basics, instead of embroidering little wall hangings that didn’t have any meaning to me, I wanted to use my new skill with intention. So, I looked for ways I could use embroidery to add value or sentiment to an item: I embroidered a nativity scene on my daughter’s Christmas stocking, hoping that she will cherish it when she’s older and decorating her own home for Christmas (it’s on my to-do list to embroider the rest of our family stockings, too!). I sewed and embroidered a set of cocktail napkins as a wedding gift for my friend, knowing that these small details of beauty can add deeper meaning to a bubbly toast or informal happy hour. I’m also working on embroidering a spring-themed table runner that will be reserved for Easter time, reminding me of my grandmother and mother’s traditions of bringing out special table linens only during their corresponding holidays.
Who can I make this for? Why should I make it? How will it be edifying and enjoyable to others?
Creativity isn’t necessarily about crafting something totally unique and novel. It could be recreating a delectable recipe or copying a flower arrangement in a magazine. But I think it’s the meaning and intention you have in creating something that gives it your own signature and opens up your creation to others.
Johanna:
A therapist once told me that the best way to relax your brain is to do what you used to do for fun as a kid, whether that is playing sports, cooking with family, or—for me—crafting! Looking at what I have on hand and creatively putting something together is a great passion. Sometimes that may be a thrifted outfit; other days, it may be calligraphy. History is a passion of mine, and lately I have enjoyed writing down a motivational and inspiring speech such as Teddy Roosevelt’s “The Man in The Arena” and adding to it a watercolor landscape on the side or background. Sometimes it stays in my sketchbook, and other times I may frame it for myself or a friend. I originally got this idea from a Sunday school project, in which the kids made their own prayer cards. The kids were encouraged to take their time writing down the prayer nicely and decorating their card. I also enjoy pulling apart old (and/or thrifted) jewelry and putting together new pieces. There is something refreshing and recharging about creating beauty with our hands and seeing the fruits of the process.
Lindsey:
In this past year, writing has become a more prominent part of my work. Though poetry is certainly more playful for me than prose, I’ve lately found inspiration for both from the work of other artists. Last year, I asked a few friends to send me a favorite song and tell me why they liked the song. With this information, I based a poem off that song. I loved getting to play with words from the song, what I knew about my friends, and the emotional landscape the music created.
I find that random facts, lovely conversations, and delicious details inspire my writing. For example, I was recently writing a poem about battling desolation, and a memory of a friend helping me make a birthday cake came to mind. It was late at night and I was so tired, but my friend created this lovely lemon glaze for the cake and the sheen that glaze created seemed a fitting image for finding light even in the difficult moments. So my friend and the cake are now part of the poem. The Holy Spirit moves in whimsical ways.
Mercedes:
Of my many hobbies, gardening most inspires my creativity. There is something about working with my hands in a colorful, fragrant garden that transports me to another world. Gardening brings life, renewing my mind and inviting me to marvel at God’s creation. Just as the Lord creates and renews new life in my garden each spring, He refines and renews my own sense of creativity. Whether stooped over pulling weeds with the warm summer sun on my back, admiring my garden’s colorful tapestry of flowers, taking in floral fragrances or watching bees buzz from flower to flower, gardening recharges my sense of creativity, energizing me to create through other outlets.
Hannah:
Creativity, for me, has most often taken the form of writing. Piecing together a piece that is not only engaging but beautiful has always been a welcome challenge. Since having children, though, I’ve rediscovered the joy of creating works of expression that aren’t preconceived ideas simply meant to convince readers. Although simple, coloring with my son has reminded me of how taking up “mindless” activities allows our minds to rest and create beauty organically. This creative space allows ideas to flow freely and rejuvenates my desire to explore ideas, topics, and outlets in the written word for the sake of their mere goodness and my enjoyment.
And you, dear reader, what sparks your creativity?
