Practice Being Creative

Braided Rope Necklace Tutorial via A Beautiful Mess

I took some time out the other night to just play around with materials. I've collected some really fun things - rope, sequins, beads, thread, chains, ribbons, and lace - but I never really do anything with it. 

When I was creating jewellery to sell, I was always making things with the intention of selling them. And gradually, it became more about the selling and less about just creating something really unique. 

Not surprisingly, I grew bored of making things that way. I could never find the inspiration, and I didn't want to do it anymore. I'd put so much pressure on myself to create sellable products, that I lost the joy I'd initially found in creating.

So I put a hold on creating. I took a break and turned my attention elsewhere. It was a break I needed - a chance to recharge.

Lately, the urge to create has come creeping back. It's a feeling I've missed, and I'm looking forward to nurturing it.

I carved a few hours out the other night and sat down with my materials. I play around and tried out a few DIY tutorials. Some things I made were really random and I'll probably dismantle them later to reuse the materials. But there was one piece in particular I really liked - a green braided rope necklace. 

I've worn that necklace quite a bit since I've made it, and I've come to realise that if I enjoy making something then I'm probably going to enjoy using it!

On Pinterest I've got an entire board dedicated to things I want to make and I'm going to start attempting some of those tutorials. Some pieces might turn out great and others might be a disaster (I'll share all of them!) but I'm looking forward to just creating for the fun of it. 

We'll see where this leads :)

Have you got any DIY ideas that you've done before, or you'd like to try? What sort of things do you like to make?

Words // Be A Beginner

Print by Be Happy

Yes yes yes. How true is this?

We all start from somewhere. Those people that you look up to now that are killing it? They're just further along in their journey than you, that's all. 

If you want to be good at something, then go ahead and try it. The first time you might suck, and that's okay. Just try again. And again (and again) and don't stop trying. 

And then when you start being really awesome at it, keep going! Don't ever stop learning and growing (it's what keeps life exciting!)

Find something you love and just stick with it. 

Personally, I want to practice my drawing, and my baking, and my writing. What do you want to learn?

Words // Start Each Day With A Grateful Heart

Source: Creative Index via Kate Baird

My mum used to tell me to write down a few things each night that I was happy for. How about if we started each day like that? 

How could our day not go well if we started it with gratitude and love?

Right now I'm grateful for rainy days, a warm bed, and my husband who gives me the best hugs. 

What are you grateful for?

A Colourful Summer Holiday

Happy new year! I've been back home for a week now, settling in and tidying up.  I spent a week up north with family and I really enjoyed the time off to just relax. But now it's time to get back into it!

I thought I'd share some photos of my trip with you all. These are some of the snapshots off my phone (I'm really loving finally having a phone with a camera!).

Sightseeing // A Pohutukawa tree - iconic New Zealand fauna // Ruby the cutie // On the boat in the Bay of Islands 

This is a world famous toilet block in Kawakawa, by Frederick Hundertwasser. It's kind of weird to be so inspired by public toilets, but this is something else! There is so much detailing - mosaics, glass bottles, painted bricks.

Down the road a bit we came across this art walk. I got so excited - I felt like I was Alice and I'd just fallen down the rabbit hole. There was so much colour everywhere! Colourful tiles were mosaiced alongside mirrors of all shapes and sizes. I'm pretty sure I had to be pulled out of there.

Cafe Eutopia was another inspiring place. It's an organic cafe with the most incredible decor. The front of the cafe is shaped like a boat; to enter you cross over a little bridge and are greeted with a beautiful water fountain. There are little private nooks everywhere to sit and enjoy your drinks, with lovely cushions, glass pebble chandeliers, and a random assortment of items. It's very eclectic!

Do you have any holiday highlights? I'd love to hear!