Creative Release

I've always been a pretty crafty person.  It comes to me naturally through my mom's family.  Her mother was an artist who specialized in toll painting, and my mom is incredibly gifted with creativity.  I also have some very artistic siblings.

I started at a young age with crafty endeavors.  I've been into photography, scrap booking, painting, graphic design, and beading.  A few years ago, when I got married and started teaching, I just didn't have time or energy to work on anything anymore.  I'd try to start a project, but it would never get finished.  I felt like I'd completely lost my creative spark.

I tried different projects, but I just couldn't enjoy it!  It honestly felt like a chore which is crazy.  Crafting was a major hobby for me at one point in my life- a way to escape and relax.  I didn't have an outlet anymore and I pretty much just gave up.

Ever since I moved to Lubbock, my Aunt has been inviting me to go paint pottery with her at a local place called Art Avenue.  Twice a month they have S.O.S. (Save Our Sanity) night.  It's always on Friday nights from 8-12, and each one has a theme.  If you dress up according to the theme, you get 10% off.  They have snacks and games/door prizes.  It sounded like fun, but I was BROKE!

I finally got to go for the first time two weeks ago.  I had $10 and I was ready to have a night out of the house.  I made a little hanging plaque for my classroom.  I had such a blast!  I got to socialize and be creative at the same time.  I finished painting it just in time!  I was so nervous about how my first project would look once it was fired.

I went back last night, and I was so pleased with the final result!  I added the wire and beads and had the confidence to start a new project!

The shop has a shelf of items that individuals started, but never came back to finish.  After 6 months, they wash the pieces off and put them back up for sale for a discounted price.  I was able to score a vase that normally costs $21, and with my 10% discount for dressing up and my $5 off coupon I won at the last SOS ended up about $6 for it.  I got busy painting it and was able to finish it right before they closed last night.  I can't wait to see how it turned out.

I'm just so happy to be finding myself again.  It's little things like this that are bringing me closer and closer to where I need to be.