Great Giveaway!: Everyday Creative Kit & Workbook!
I’m going to Vegas today – yay hooray! 5 days in the desert with my man, his sister, & her boyfriend (who dances for The Donny & Marie Show), not to mention some time with my man’s BFF from high school, who we never see unless someone’s recently dead or about to get married. But I didn’t think it would be fun if I have all the fun, so when I saw the Everyday Creative Kit & Workbook on Nicole Docimo’s blog I just had to DM her on Twitter & asked if she’d sponsor a giveaway. As you can guess, she said yes (Are you wearing a dress? I’m not, I confess!)! I’m so freakin’ excited. The first sponsored giveaway on this blog! About damn time.
Here it is! Isn’t it awesome?! (Please note that that’s a hypothetical question)
I asked Nicole the simple question of what inspired her to create the kit, & she gave me these gems:
“Something that has become very important to me over the past few years, as I’ve gotten back into art after spending some time avoiding it (for reasons of fear, and delusions that you can’t do art as a career), is the idea that everyone is creative. How many times I have heard people say, “I’m not creative,” or “I wish I was creative.” Honestly, this is RIDICULOUS, and it makes me angry that so many people have internalized this. I think it is one of the barriers to artists becoming artists and really flexing their “art-wings,” and on a larger level, I think it is one of the barriers to a lot of people really enjoying life.
I know these are big statements, but if you think about it, when we were all kids we lived in endless worlds of creativity. Anything was possible, until we were taught that it was not. I think creativity is the difference between putting yourself in a a box, and living a free and joyful life. It’s the difference between “yes” and “no.” For quite a few years, I told myself “no.” I thought I couldn’t do art for a living, I thought I wasn’t good enough, I thought “I must do the jobs that are available because that is the way people do it.” Once I started to really let myself get creative in my brain and in my heart, everything changed. Once I made space to open up to the possibilities, I was able to shift and make creativity the focus of my life—not just art, but the idea of an entire creative life concept—that you don’t have to live the way everyone says you “should.” You can create your own life, based on the things that you value. This is the ultimate idea of creativity to me.
My Everyday Creative Kit is an introduction to this. It is an opening to a bunch of small ideas that can add up to a lot more joy. The first incarnation of the kit idea for me was an Art Monthly Club program I started this past fall, where members would receive a little bit of creative inspiration each month in the form of a kit. After putting it out there for a couple of months, I realized that what I was trying to do could be done better by a series of kits that I offer consistently, instead of a monthly club. So I thought about it for a while, and decided that the first kit I would like to make would be a guide to being creative in small ways, everyday. I decided that a workbook would be the best cornerstone of the kit, and collected and thought of a handful of different exercises that would get people into the creative mode—from doing an inspiration collage, to dancing, to going on a field trip—mainly just taking the time to think about what creative things you would love to do. As with everything, I think it’s about making space and time for what you want in your life—I hope this kit will help people make a little space in their lives for more creativity. As I’ve found with making art—creativity leads to more creativity. Once you open the door, you never know what will come in.”
Seriously. I love her.
OK, so you wanna win, don’t ‘cha? You can enter by leaving a comment below that describes what you do for your creative time. Do you have a tip to get started on a creative project? A daily ritual that gets you into that play space? A favorite creative thing? A mantra that helps you clear your head & get to work? We wanna hear it!
Oh, and you get 1 extra vote for doing each of the following:
- following me on Twitter
- following me on Facebook
- following Nicole on Twitter
- following Nicole on Facebook
- tweeting about this giveaway (I’ll make it easy – copy & paste this: “I just entered the Everyday Creative Kit Giveaway by @bluebicicletta on @WhenIGroUpCoach’s blog. Your turn! http://ow.ly/16T1A”)
Each time you do one of those things, add a comment below saying what you did. So, everyone can have up to 6 entries! You’ll be a shoo-in when I pick the winner randomly on Tuesday, February 23rd at 5p EST. The winner will be announced early Wednesday!
And even though I’ll be watching Donny & Marie / seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time / maxin’ & relaxin’ I’ll have a vlog up for you on Friday. The miracle of the scheduled posts!
Good luck, everyone!
Related posts:
February 17th, 2010 at 5:38 am
what an interesting concept! could definitely get the creative juices flowing!
February 17th, 2010 at 7:17 am
What do I do for my creative time? Procrastinate far too much!
My goal for this year is not to procrastinate – and I’m looking at creative rituals as a way to do this. I’m currently playing with some simple illustrations on the back of some defunct business cards. The images act as prompts for things I need or want to do each day, including some creative time. Still in the early days of trying it out but it seems helpful.
Oh and I became a fan and followed on twitter, but thought i’d only comment once – don’t want to appear too eager.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:15 am
I have discovered that my best stuff comes when I just DO it instead of planning it all out. I tend to over think a lot of stuff so if I just go out and do it I don’t feel so much pressure to make it perfect.
I am a fan of you on Facebook
I am a follower of you on Twitter
I am a fan of Nicole on Facebook
I am a follower of Nicole on Twitter
And I tweeted about the contest!
You are just making us work today! Phew! : )
February 17th, 2010 at 9:23 am
Wait, you’re picking a winner yesterday??? Oh well, I’m entering anyway!
I’m already following everyone everywhere and I’m off to tweet.
Have fun in Vegas!
xo,
Carmen
February 17th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Following.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:25 am
FB Follwer
February 17th, 2010 at 9:28 am
FB Follower x 2
February 17th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Twitter follower x 2
February 17th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Can you tell I want to win?!
My favorite thing to do when I want to create freely is to go into my studio at night and just turn on the white string lights and paper lanterns. I love the subtle glow and the way the light hits all of the little inspirations hanging in my studio. It sets the mood and helps me relax!
February 17th, 2010 at 9:56 am
This is the best idea! I really need this. If I don’t win this giveaway, I may just buy one anyway.
I am still trying to find a creative ritual. Sometimes I just sit at my desk and draw or color; anything to warm up. That usually helps me to start thinking creatively.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:25 am
Wow, well, in between class, studying, family, and friends, when I do manage to find the time to create, I’ve been painting, cooking, and writing… all of which are my lost loves of the past. I’m just now starting to take the time to create again – and it feels great! I just wish there was more time in the day.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:47 am
I think the biggest thing for me to get creative has been thinking about what I do (painting mostly) as drafts or first attempts. Because I work with acrylics I can always paint over it if I don’t like it. I think that could generalize more broadly there isn’t much we do that needs to be perfect the first time.
February 17th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Hi Michelle, Is it too late to comment on the giveaway? It’s already Wednesday. Well, for my creative time, I joined a meet-up for creating greeting cards, joined the DIY postcard swap and recently started art journaling. Nicole’s creative workbook sounds like a fabulous idea.
February 17th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Ok, I know Nicole IRL so I kinda feel like it’s not fair for me to even enter. So, I’m posting a comment…not an entry!
I am now following both of you on Twitter though!
First of all, ditto what Nicole says on all accounts! It *kills* me when people say, “I’m not creative…” I just want to hit them over the head and say, “Yes you are! Either you’ve forgotten how to be creative or you haven’t tapped into it yet…it’s there! You ARE creative!” Seriously, everyone is creative in their own way. We all just choose different ways to apply our creativity and some people CHOOSE to suppress theirs.
Lately I’ve had serious procrastination and “I suck…” issues. I’ve taken to making creativity my FIRST priority every day. Ok, maybe third priority after coffee and a spoonful of frosting (yes, I eat frosting in the morning). Today I hopped out of bed, got the coffee going, had my spoonful of frosting, and decided to spend some creative time with the computer, scanner, and some sketches I did yesterday.
February 17th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
[...] classic with modern. Take a moment to check out these fantastic pieces. Then, pop on over to When I Grow Up and enter a giveaway of an Everyday Creative Kit made by Nicole. Please visit Nicole’s Etsy [...]
February 17th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
So great to hear from all of you guys! I’m so glad to hear about so much wonderful creativity, and I’m glad my Everyday Creative Kit is inspiring you to get even more creative!
Also, just wanted to let you know—if you caught me on FB, I made a typo and wrote that the contest ended on Feb 16. Of course, this was wrong! Michelle said above that she’ll be drawing the winner of Feb 23 at 5p. Sorry for the confusion!
February 17th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
I retweeted this giveaway.
February 17th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
I follow When I Grow Up Coach on Twitter.
February 17th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
I follow Blue Bicicletta on Twitter.
February 17th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
My partner and I started a bimonthly creativity workshop through a non-profit that we both volunteer for. It’s still gaining ground, but here’s hoping it catches on!
February 17th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
following Nicole on Twitter
February 17th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
following Nicole on Facebook, and just tweeted this contest
February 17th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Deidre,
I’d love to know more about the creativity group you started. I have a project in mind involving creative writing and domestic abuse survivors. Would love to chat with someone doing creative work with non-profits.
You can message me at maleab [at] earthlink [dot] net
Malea
February 18th, 2010 at 7:33 am
My coaching partner and I did an amazing creative challenge that we “cooked up”. I called it Business Experiments in the Test Kitchen of Life. The goal: cook a meal together (but with a few big twists); the method: $50 each to buy food without the other knowing what we were buying. We went all over Toronto to foodie neighbourhood on our scavenger hunt and at the end of the day had an amazing array of food to work with. We forced ourselves to not go with the tried and true in the way we combined the ingredients and we came up with an amazing 5 course meal. The fact that we ate sausages with pink peppercorn chocolate sauce just added to the creativity and intrigue of the day! You can read in more details here at http://chandlercoaches.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/business-experiments-in-the-test-kitchen-of-life/
Great site and blog you have!
Lisa
February 18th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
[...] gives me something new to think about. So pop on over there and check her out, and of course, enter the giveaway to win one of my Everyday Creative Kits! There are hours of creative entertainment in there, and it [...]
February 18th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
I’m following you on twitter!
February 18th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
I’m following Nicole on twitter!
February 18th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
I’m following your facebook and Nicole’s facebook now too.
February 18th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Oh! When I first saw these I thought that were so cool.
February 18th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
LOVE this giveaway!!!
February 19th, 2010 at 12:00 am
And I follow Michelle on facebook!
February 19th, 2010 at 6:32 am
My tip? hmm well, I think the best thing is to have a relaxed mind. So like you can listen to music (tips: get out, be with nature!), be somewhere you love and I guess have your “creative kit” with you. That just mean colours, pen etc. Don’t think too much about what you have to achieve, start with a dot and makes it into something else. or with other material I think it’s best you try experimenting with it. Play around! I guess you can spot my favourite creative thing!
Daily ritual! I love doing this: Siting at the top of my house and feel the wind! Being with nature really get me into the creative process. Otherwise seeing something inspiring: a picture, an art footage ect.
February 19th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
I start my day with a cup of hot tea and little time to myself with my dogs.
February 20th, 2010 at 8:40 am
this is an AMAZING giveaway!!!
my tip is to simply carve out intentional creative time. i need there to be quiet around me when i create, so i really have to plan these windows. if it is a totally new project or way of doing art, sometimes i need to do a little more before getting started, like taking a walk or journaling.
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:39 am
I follow you on Twitter! But you already knew that…
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:41 am
I have to have no distractions for creative time…it might take awhile to get started, but I just keep working and scribbling down ideas and bookmarking sites or photos and then it just ‘clicks!’ So a big thank you to everyone who distracts my little one for me so I can work!!
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:41 am
I follow you on Facebook!!
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:44 am
Aaaannnnddd…I tweeted about this! http://twitter.com/likelydesign/status/9528181031
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:57 am
My problem comes in making the time to be creative. I can put it off thinking it’s just not important. In times like these it helps to decide that my next creative project will be a gift. Taking the time to be creative for someone else sometimes can be so much easier then just doing it for myself.
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:00 pm
I follow When I Grow Up Coach on Twitter.
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I retweeted this giveaway.
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Awesome giveaway
So, I always keep my favorite pens (Copic atYou Spica) and my current journal by my side. I sneak in a few minutes of sketcing/doodling whenever I can!
I’m already following Michelle on FB & Twitter. So I followed Nicole on both Twitter & FB & I tweeted
*I’m @alexiapetrakos on twitter*
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:11 pm
And I’m a Michelle fan on facebook!
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:11 pm
And I follow Nicole on twitter!
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:13 pm
and i just tweeted it too!
YAY!
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Comments are now CLOSED – I’m about to pick the winner! Come back tomorrow morning & see if it’s you (I’m such a tease)!