A Handmade Artist on Living Abroad, Motherhood, and Creating

Some people get their home decor thrills in white slip covers.  For others, it’s all about the thrift shops.  Me?  It’s handmade.  Today Robin at Well of Creations shop and blog is here to talk to us a little about her handmade journey mixed with motherhood and life abroad.  Incredible stuff!

I hope you find it inspiring to pick up your knitting needles or whatever materials strike your fancy in creating a handmade home and something for yourself.  Don’t forget to enter the fabulous giveaway she’s offering at the end!

Take it away, Robin.

1. Tell us a little about you and your art.

My journey into a life of creativity began a little over 2 years ago. I am a military wife who is a also stay at home mom. I did not really have to contend with the FULL WEIGHT of those identities until the time frame mentioned when my husband was deployed and I found myself alone and unable to really convey to friends the depth of that loneliness. Our family did not live close. I had a two year old at the time and was unable to afford any kind of child care to help with her care and to allow for me to have some kind of break.

So, one day I found myself perusing a local craft store desperate for some sort of outlet that I could do at home. I glanced at a “crochet a scarf” kit and since I vaguely remembered some instructions my mother gave me when I was a girl, I purchased it. It took a while for me to warm up to it and then suddenly, I opened up to the value of art and the meditative rewards that helped in motherhood and in personhood.

2. Where are you most inspired to create?

I am most inspired in the children’s section of the library. Books have always felt like friends to me. One of the biggest blessings I have experienced being a mommy again (I have two grown sons) is having the “excuse” to go through the children’s library and check out TONS of books.

3. What hinders your creativity, and how do you work your way out of it?

Isolation is a double edge sword for me. I HATE IT yet I find my most inspired work comes during that time when I need to deal with the ramifications of that alone time and the emotions I am experieincing. I truly would like to be that “happy art” person and I am at times. But mostly it happens in the down times.

4. How do you incorporate simplicity into your work?

I am a HUGE fan of color. But I believe in moderation the colors are able to hold their own as well as excite the senses. This balance is what I strive for in my pieces.

5. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the piece you are giving to a lucky Making This Home reader?

I have never been the one who likes to be in charge of holding the camera and documenting the memories; I prefer to use words for that. But once I started my handmade business, I quickly realized I needed to get over that! The more I began to learn some tricks with using my digital camera, the more in LOVE with photography and equally the more RESPECT I have for the art form. The camera bag is my little tribute to the profession.

6. What advice would you give to those who are living abroad and thinking of starting a handmade business?

The shipping issue REALLY can be an issue when you are abroad. My best advice is to have someone who is able to speak your language explain to you the ramifications of customs. I minimized my shipping to just a few small items while I lived in Germany because the shipping costs was just too large to pass onto the customer.

A huge thanks to Robin for her insights.  I really like hearing different perspectives Americans have when living abroad as we go there for different reasons.  Now on to the giveaway, right?!

* * * This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you! * * *

Prize: the above-pictured, handmade camera case valued at $20 from Robin’s shop
Specs: This bag is 7 inches high and 6 inches wide; the strap is 12 inches from the shoulder to the bag on each side.  It’s fully lined and includes a fun little pocket for extra batteries and other camera accessories.  Colors are:  maize, two types of gray, and two types of green: lime green and leaf green.
Capacity: expands up to 4.5 inches
Entries: One entry per email address and per household please.  Leave a response in the comments section below with your answer:

What hinders your own creativity and how do you work your way out of it?

Ships to: anywhere in the US of A or to anyone with an APO address
Contest ends: Monday, October 4, 2010 at midnight in the Rocky Mountains.  Winner announced here on Tuesday.