Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Create Wherever You Can (& another chance to win!)

Free Spirit Spotlight Graphic

This next Free Spirit Spotlight introduces you to Suzy, creator and owner of Hip Mountain Mama.  Many of you are probably already familiar with her as she has a wonderful presence on her blog in the world of Twitter.  She sells natural products for mamas at her on-line store.  I just ordered a Moby wrap from her and can't wait to start using it with Ashton. 

Enjoy her lovely interview, and leave a comment for your chance to win a $30 gift certificate to use at the Hip Mountain Mama shop!

*Photos provided by Hip Mountain Mama.

1) How did you come to a place in your life where you embrace yourself as a creative person?
I guess I have always felt like a creative person.  There are certain mediums that I am better at using than others, but as a whole I'm pretty creative.  I think a lot of this comes from my mom always telling me how creative I am.  She really boosts my confidence when it comes to my creativity and it has been important to have someone in my life to keep me feeling good about my creations.  I honestly feel that we are all creative beings; we just need to recognize and embrace it.

2) What's your favorite art medium for self-expression?
I really enjoy putting things together...making something beautiful from just a few materials.  Things like jewelry, knitting, and basket weaving.  I feel that when given a few materials and asked to create something, this really brings out ones personality and is such a wonderful freedom of self-expression.


3) Where do you get your inspiration?
I get a lot of my inspiration from nature.  I love creating things using natural materials or even things taken right out of nature.  I also find tons of inspiration from other creative people through blogs, craft fairs or friends.

4) How do you manage to find time and make space for your creative projects?
Well, if you are literally talking about space...I usually find myself crafting on my bed, or couch, or the kitchen table with materials spread out all over.  I don't have a craft room or area of the house, so I keep most of my supplies in my closet or mixed in with the kids art supplies.  As far as time goes, I usually create with the kids so I am basically killing two birds with one stone, right?  I get to spend quality time with the kids while teaching them the importance of fostering their creative sides, while also getting to embrace my creativity at the same time!  There are also times I find myself knitting in the waiting room of the dentist office, or in bed at night, or in the car on the way to Grandma's house...I sneak it in when I can!


5) What is a free spirit to you and do you feel like one?
I totally feel like a free spirit.  My definition of a free spirit and why I feel like one is: 
~having an open mind ~willingness to try new things ~not afraid to get messy ~lots of laughing and having fun ~exploring new places.  

To me, being a free spirit means having a blast, but also taking care of your loved ones and acting in a caring and responsible manor.

6) What would you say to those who want to live a creative, free spirited life but don't feel very creative and don't know where to begin?
Like I said in the beginning, I completely believe that we are all creative beings.  Think about it...when we are kids, we are all given crayons and glue and other materials and we know just what to do with them.  There is some point in our lives when we stop playing with those materials and we seem to lose the desire to create.  My advice is to start creating again!  Pick up those crayons and doodle, paint, learn to knit, start a blog, or take guitar lessons.  Don't worry about the outcome or about getting messy - just have fun!

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BIG thanks to you, Suzy, for sharing your creative spirit with us.


Your Personal Reflection:  Do you carve out enough time in your day for your creativity?  Leave a comment here for your chance to win a $30 gift card to be used at Hip Mountain Mama.  Join my Facebook fan page if you want a double shot at winning.

I'll announce the winner later this week!

20 comments:

  1. Is it possible to have enough time to create? I have so many projects in my head I don't think I will ever get to all of them, especially when new ones keep popping up.

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  2. Thanks for sharing this great interview with Suzy! I am going to try to create more with the kids. I started to but then fell off because . . . well I don't know exactly why. I know I do fear getting distracted and making an unfixable mistake if I try working on certain things in their presence. Something to work on . . . .

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  3. I try to get time in- usually it is knitting time during naps, but blogging is also a creative endeavor for me.

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  4. I never feel like I carve out quite enough time, but I do find time every day. It may only be 5 minutes of knitting, but it's something!

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  5. Suzy you are beautifully inspirational! I love that you often craft with your kiddos. I do the same thing, but not enough recently.

    Added our 2nd baby to the family 7 months ago then moved just a couple months ago and haven't gotten our rhythm down well enough to create every day. For now I just steal away little moments or an hour after the boys go to sleep.

    Shannon, thank YOU for brining such wonderful free spirits into the spotlight for the rest of us. For inspiring and empowering us!

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  6. I have been trying to carve out more space as the days get shorter to stay creative. It gets tricky when it's dark outside at 4:30ish to resist the temptation of cuddling up on the couch for the rest of the evening watching a movie, there is still so much day left. I just ordered a box of yarn for Christmas presents, so hopefully at least if I want to sit on the couch and watch movies I can knit too :)

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  7. I LOVE Hip Mountain Mama!

    I don't carve enough time out for creativity everyday, but I try and notice when less art-y things are really creative expressions--like cooking dinner and being one of my son's race cars talking at the "track".

    Rae

    rachelhower at yahoo dot com

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  8. Oh! I want to win! As far as time for creativity, lately.... my extra time is spent napping, daydreaming and journaling. So yes, lately I find time, I've done it by slowing down because of the snow.

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  9. So, so very inspirational! I love Hip Mountain Mama! Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  10. I focus most of my creativity into decorating my house right now. I would like to start making scrap books of my grandchildren soon too. patcakes47@yahoo.com

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  11. I've become a more creative person by sharing art time with my kids. They give me creative license to have fun and be messy- and they're always so complimentary! :)
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  12. I 'liked' your FB page under the name "patcakes47"
    patcakes47@yahoo.com

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  13. I have ordered from Hip Mountain Mama online and she was so helpful and nice. Wonderful place to shop.

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  14. Really great blog and so inspired by Hip Mountain Mama - so many artisans out there and she's so talented - thanks for sharing this, the list and the badge too. Namaste

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  15. I definitely try. when my 3 year old takes a nap I try to spin some yarn, knit or do some polymer clay projects for 30 minutes at the least. vbarton24 at gmail dot com

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  16. I enjoy meeting so many free spirits!

    I love my Moby! My second baby has needed more close Mama time and even now when she is having a really fussy day I wrap her up and the two of us go for a walk around the block.

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  17. Thanks to each of you for sharing your comments so far. I am finding that with a newborn it's even harder than before to fit in my creative, personal interests. But I still try to merge it into my life whenver possible. Even if it's just knitting a few rows in between feedings and playing it still makes me feel more recharged than if I don't do it at all. Happy holiday weekend.

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  18. I know this creative 'stuck' place all too well! I find it helps just pick up my pencil and start scribbling, or my finger through my yarn, or start writing about a moment in my day - something simple to start unraveling that creative flow.

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  19. My days are so packed with activity, I am just starting to get back into the creative mode. I suppose I am creative with work (I teach preschool) and at home with my children, but not enough time is carved out for ME. I have picked up my knitting needles and started a gift for my daughter. That's something, right?

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Thanks for sharing!