Welcome back to our What Creativity Looks Like series. Every week this summer, I’ve been introducing you to some amazingly creative women. My hope is as you read these interviews and virtually meet these ladies, you’ll be inspired to create more in your own life.
Let’s get started!
What’s your name (and business name, if you have one)?
Joyce-Ellen Holmes from Binding Rewinding
Tell us about YOU. How is your creativity expressed?
Oh wow, what a question! I express my creativity in my everyday activities, in the kitchen when I am cooking, with my boys when were playing, in my studio when I am creating. In a more practical sense, I love expressing my creativity through watercolor, hand lettering, sewing, and photography. If you know me at all, you know that I dabble in more forms of media than I probably “should” . . . I am learning to give myself more grace and leniency to allow myself to bounce from one project, or form of media to the next. It has resulted in allowing for a lot less forced and repetitive artistic outlets. I have found some strengths and some super obvious weaknesses!
How did you get started in your creative practice? (“Practice” is just a fancy word for all the fun creative things you do. :))
I started young. My mom parked me in front of a sewing machine at the age of 6. I made my first patchwork quilt (if you can actually call it that.) She later made it into a seat cushion cover, and keeps it in her sewing room to this day. I started piano lessons as a 7-year old, and I later pursued film photography (complete with darkroom), and ceramics in high school. I instantly became hooked on these artistic outlets, and have just never “put them down.” As my kids have grown past the toddler stage, I have had more time to develop my skills in watercolor and lettering, and other forms of media. My shop was born from my love of upcycling and creating treasures from “trash” essentially. I love taking something that would sit on a shelf, or in a box or attic, and make it new, fun, or functional.
What keeps you going?
So much! Seeing my kids stretch their artistic and creative freedoms is super motivating. Creating things is almost therapeutic for me. The older I get, the more introverted I have become. It’s peaceful. It’s fun. It’s relaxing. With my Instagram/Etsy shop, I am able to share with my customers, and collaborate and enjoy other’s creativity as well. The collaborative effort drives me to keep playing, keep experimenting, keep practicing and fine-tuning my art. I love it! And I love the incredible friendships that have been forged as a result of my pursuing my creative passions. It doesn’t get much more rad than that!
What is your greatest joy?
Ooooooo. That’s a deep question.. I find great joy in developing, and experiencing the gifts and talents that God has blessed me with, and being able to use them encourage my kids and others to do the same.
What’s a “typical” day (or week) like for you? In other words, how do you incorporate creative projects into your life?
I spend at least an hour or more a day working “shop” . . . Filling custom orders, creating new items for my Etsy etc. Most of the time I wait until my kids are in quiet time, or bed time to actually get anything accomplished. I usually have anywhere from 3-5 projects going at once. It sounds chaotic, but it works well for me. Most days. 😉
What would you say to someone who wants to be creative but can’t find the time?
For those that work outside of the home, or are constantly on the go, I would say to carry a journal or sketchbook in your purse, backpack, or car. Pentel brushpens allow for watercolor or lettering on the go (the water reservoir is on the brushpen itself . . . totally brill!) If you are a SAHM or WAHM, and/or if you have small kids, set aside a quiet time during the day, even if it’s 30 minutes where the kids watch a show, or sit and read/look at books, take that time to get your doodle on . . . or sew. Or get all the house work done as best as you can and get some creative time after the kids have gone to bed. Easy to say, a little trickier in personal application. Sometimes I even struggle to carve out time to just create for the fun of it.
What do YOU think creativity looks like?
I think creativity looks like personal inward expression taking on an outward and tangible form, that others can see, enjoy, and be inspired by.
Thanks so much for sharing with us this week, Joyce-Ellen! I can completely relate with having a lot of different media types as interests. Ahem. But when you look at Joyce-Ellen’s feed on Instagram, you’ll see it’s all cohesive, like a fun little shop where you fall in love with all of the treasures. Be sure to follow her there to see what she’s up to.
Hope you all have a lovely {and creative} day!
