The week that was: Nov 9th-15th
We made PUPPETS!
Working on…
I spent the most glorious day doing something I've wanted to for AGES. Make puppets! My friend Jennifer came over and we had a wonderful time making these two delightful monstrosities (the one on the left is mine). We've both been flat out working on Very Important Creative Projects lately, and it was such a joy to just make something with no agenda or purpose. We literally just made it up as we went along and were thrilled with our attempts.
Thinking about…
Internal vs external creativity. My brilliant friend Tara Leaver sent out an email recently where she was talking about the difference between making stuff that's internally generated i.e. the stuff that expresses something deep and personal (like my Things Men Have Said... project), and making stuff that's externally generated i.e. following a crochet pattern or - in my case - making puppets!
Her point was that by embracing both, we can always find a way to access the joy of 'being creative' even if we have no energy, or ideas, or even much time. I loved the distinction, and Tara is always so brilliant at putting language around concepts like these. Go follow her!
Reading…
A Year of Marvellous Ways - Sarah Winman
I picked this up because I loved Still Life, and found it enchanting and deliciously witchy. A very cosy autumnal read.
Watching…
I have loved this film ever since it first came out in 2009. I have a vivid memory of the day I went to see it at the cinema when it came out, because it was the first time I realised that being self-employed meant I could slip out and go to the pictures in the middle of the day. It felt so decadent! We re-watched it recently and it holds up - a beautiful, warm, weird exploration of grief and dealing with your shit.
Listening to…
Reading Revenge of The She-Punks recently has got me revisiting some of my old favourite albums, and this masterpiece is one of the best. I love how they mix in a dollop of ska with their classic punk vibes.
