C C C CHRISSSTMASSS!!

It is almost upon us! For some it is a time of eating, indulgence and joy. For me, I enjoy seeing my family and friends the most. I don't care too much for gifts, the food is nice, but again, if it wasn't there I wouldn't mind an awful lot. I do absolutely love seeing people whom have special places in my heart and I don't necessarily get to see the rest of the year. It is the one time of year when most people are together and we can share joyous moments, creating memories and enjoying time with each other. Everything is ready for the day, I have purchased and made gifts, wrapped them, finished work- nothing left to do now. As the day grows closer and closer, there are festive treats in shops, yuletide glows flowing from the streets, and carol singers a plenty. I even have glittery nails! One thing which is stuck in my mind however, and I can't seem to shift it is that for some the festive season is a time where they are just reminded of the treachery and solitude in their lives. The homeless who may have no where to go, the elderly who have no remaining family, those affected by natural disasters who no longer have a place to call home. I should be excited and anticipating the fun and festivities. And I am. But these people are on my mind and I just feel like it must be harder than ever for those less fortunate at this time of year. Last year, Mum and I volunteered at a homeless feeding project on Christmas Day. One old fella really stuck in my mind. I was collecting pots to go and wash them and he was sat slurping his mug of tea all alone. I asked if he would like me to get him a cooked brekkie. He just peered out from under his beanie and grunted 'leave me alone'. My heart broke for him. I was sad for him that he was unhappy, and hungry, and had no one special to spend the day with, even to share a few happy words. But the truth is that there will be hundreds of people out there who will unfortunately not be able to celebrate, or have no one to celebrate with, and for them, this time of year must be very difficult. I count my lucky stars that at this point in life, I am lucky enough to have money to provide myself a roof, food in the fridge and that my family and friends are all fit, healthy and well.So as I enjoy the day with my wonderful family surrounding me, my prayers and thoughts go out to every single one of those people, and for them (and the rest of you) I hope that the new year of 2014 brings better days and a glimmer of hope.

Inspiration

So, as many of you know I have recently started my own small crafty business, Bintang Arts. I have been selling things online on Etsy and through Facebook, and have done a couple of events too. I absolutely love making things, the colours, the textures, just creating something new. I have a strong interest in photography too and often take the colours from a photo I like when making something. I also love upcycling things, taking something which had one purpose and giving it a new lease of life by turning into something else. It is good for the planet to reuse these materials and saves on costs too. It also often means that no two things I make are the same, which is somewhat special. I have been trying out all sorts of techniques and experimenting really and have decided to stop making certain things and concentrate on a few items. So from now on going forwards I am going to try and make everything from upcycled materials where ever possible. At a few of the events I have done and some other small similar businesses which I have seen, I have wondered what it is that makes those businesses successful. Part of that success I have observed, is that they are making things which are popular. I have questioned whether I should be concentrating on more ‘popular’ items before realising that being ‘popular’ isn’t what inspires me and if I go down that route my inspiration and creativity will soon die. I don’t want to be one of these people who will sell out to commercialism and forget why they started something in the first place. I was first inspired as a small child when doing all sorts of crafts with my god mother- just ‘having a go’. Most recently inspired by places in Asia such as the Arts Centre in Bangkok and the beautiful artists of Ubud in Bali. The last thing I want is to forget those inspirational moments and become a ‘business woman’ rather than a craftsman or artist. So here is to inspiration, keeping that inspiration alive and sticking with it.

But it isn't even New Year yet...

I know it isn’t the New Year yet, but alas, I have made a resolution. I never usually bother, well, I do, but they often get broken in the first week or so as they are usually a bit pointless which leads to me not bothering to keep them. However- this one is a little different. Just recently I have been feeling like there is a whirlwind in my brain and I just can’t seem to concentrate on anything. I will be at work and can’t think about work, or be cooking dinner and be so distracted I have cooked it, eaten it and washed up without even realising I started. Not good. So- here it is- the big resolution. To pay attention.  It seems so simple doesn’t it. I know you are probably thinking, ‘Well I pay attention’ - but do you? Because I know recently I haven’t been, not at all. The effects of not paying attention I have found to be quite dramatic. I have stopped enjoying things that I love- simply because when I am doing those things I’m not actually ‘doing’ them . Like writing for example, or sewing, or painting, or cooking, or walking. Instead of paying attention to the beauty of the colours, or the feelings of passion I have about the subject of which I am writing, or the textures and tastes of a meal, my mind has been whizzing around on ‘stuff’. Well, mind- here’s news for you – no more whizzing! Now we will pay attention to what is happening and enjoy it. So- with my new resolution, this morning I thoroughly enjoyed a walk to work- no mind whizzing but in fact absorbing the stunning autumnal colours which are soon to be gone. I wonder how I came about this resolution? Well, as a result of my mind feeling a little ‘whizzy’ recently as I wasn’t quite my pecker old self, just a bit fed up and my creativity  had taken a knock too. Normally I would do something I love and enjoy in these circumstances, but even that wasn’t working- and then I sort of just realised my world and experiences were passing me by whilst I was obliviously whizzing. Whiz whiz whiz! I also thought about recent times when I really enjoyed those things, eating, writing, creating. And one of those times was when I was travelling – which is all about enjoying the moment you are in, and absorbing it, and well, just living it.  So I thought I owe it to myself to take these everyday opportunities and just enjoy them again. The colours, the faces, the nature, the designs, the smiles, the smells, the patterns, the emotions, the tastes, the textures – absorb all of them. Just take ten minutes today to try my resolution, and pay attention to what is around you. It might even spur you to think of one of your own ;)