Welcome!

Hi, I’m Jodi.
I’m an artist from South Africa. I hope that this can be a space where we can share creative ideas and help one another think creatively about life. I am excited to be able to talk to people around the world with different views and experiences.

 So, what have you been working on/thinking about lately?

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Oo, i'm the first other-member! 

I'm currently playing around with some painting, watercolors…Still not sure what I'm doing really, but having fun.  Starting to understand the sketching-out an idea first in pen doodles, and then i'll try to transfer it to paint.

Looking forward to seeing what you have in mind for this place here!  Who couldn't use some creative thinking about life?

Thanks for the invite :)

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Hello, Creatives -

I’m making like crazy these days. My passion is to lead other people into the wonderful world of creative play, so I make a lot of how-to projects. I organize a monthly group here in Portland called Church of Craft (www.churchofcraft.org), where people from all walks of life come together and make stuff and connect. I also make craft zines, and a craft podcast. (Yes, a serious craft-geek.)

Currently, I’m preoccupied with making Kanzashi Tsumami, a Japanese art where you make flowers with a kind of fabric origami. It’s a little repetetive, and a little precise – just the thing to create a relaxed state of focus.

I’m thrilled to be here, and look forward to many creative discussions with you all!

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Greetings & Blessings,

Several circle companions and I are writing a book on shamanic jesting and laughter restoration…This project is free form so far and who knows how long it will take to publish it!?  When we publish it, the book will be on the internet first, as a pdf or eBook - and/or it might even show up in a blogish way. 

I belong to many pods and I am doing my best to visit all of them now.  When I returned to one of pod, I found I had been tossed out of it already even though I had at least made it there to one post once…So I thank-you for being patient and open and allowing whilst I do my best to catch up with Zaadz, though I wonder if I can do more than remain in the running…And I do hope and dream I fail to insult anyone here or anywhere else amidst the rush of it all.

In Spirit & Fun,
And Smiles All Around,
~ Elizabeth
ShamanicShift

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P.S.  I only asked to join pods I want to keep up with and post in sometimes at least if not more when things settle down a bit for me in Milwaukee.  It's an honor for me to be here and I appreciate your presences and this pod very much!

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Sorry that I am so quiet! I am moving this week and will be one on one with my pc as soon as possible. I am so looking forward to discussing some interesting things. And I promise to include some things I am working on on monday. See what you all think? fun…  You guys all sound enthusiastic and productive, can't wait to dig some. :)

Re: Welcome!

hi Jodi,

That is cool that you do arts for living. What kind of art do you do? I am thinking of working toward that part -time and get a lot of practice. I did art when I was in high school then did a graphic design progrom in college. I just got back into drawing and watercolour painting.

Re: Welcome!

I mainly paint. But I really love many creative mediums. At the moment I am working on a beaded 'curtain”.( I am trying to get a good picture of it to post). I made it for francois (my husband) and it is meant to hang in our new home. It represents all the years we have been together. I started it when we first started dating. So, it has been a long process. I haven't been working non-stop, though! It is filled with treasures that we found and had. Simbols of our life together. Beading is also something that is intrinsically part of africa.

Will make sure I have a pic up tomorrow. I am running behind! I would love to share it with all of you.

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Piano, fiddle, singing lessons, storytelling group and trying to not burn myself with an overwhelming load of creative projects! Haha!

I'm currently facilitating a group round of Julia Cameron's 'the Artist's Way' online at Yahoo.

Aloha.

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I think the great thing about having so many projects is that a person becomes more creative the more you do. It is so important to stay busy. “writer's block” (in any form of creative expression) is a teriible curse and the only way to deal with it is to make something.

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Thanks for the warm welcome and inviting me to the pod, jodi.

Hello everybody 8^)

Recently, I've been making Native American style flutes. I've played for years (not professionally, just for fun) and decided one day to try my hand at making them. I've got pics of the first one I made in the key of G uploaded and I'm currently working on one in the key of F. I also make rattles, fans, medicine bags… I even sewed a tepee that I gave away as a gift. gee, I guess I should upload some pics of that stuff  too!

I also like to do pen and ink drawings and scan them in and play around with them.

I'm still working on my profile, so more stuff to come.

Here's looking forward to getting to know you all…

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Wow!

Carving flutes sounds great. I like to collect interesting instrument (of which we have a lot here in Africa). I have a beautiful carved flute made from a piece of kelp. I love the sea and it makes me feel part of it. It also has a wonderful, haunting sound.
I will check out your pic asap!

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That's cool - I've never heard of a kelp flute. Can you post a pic of it? Thanks 8^)

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Hi Jodi

Thanks for inviting me to your pod.  You were quick.  I only just joined and then had an invite from you.  Not sure how that happened.

You're right about the writers block - I've found that having more than one writing project on the go helps to progress them - well - only found this out recently.  :-)

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Hi, igmugleza. I posted that flute of mine in my photo album.
Hope you like it!

And David. I know you are definitely right. The more one does, the more you are able to do. Keeping busy is the best medicine! Thanks for the great advise!

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Thanks for inviting me, a newcomer, to your pod, Jodi.  I gotta run, but will try to participate as soon as I can.  I've been reading and doing the exercises for a great book, “The Artist's Way.”  Anybody else read it?

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Hi Gail,

I got a lot out of “The Artist's Way.” And there is another one that I have found to be quite helpful,  The Vein of Gold!

Enjoy your art making:)
PJ

Weclome!

Hullo to you too.
So, I'm an aspiring writer, see? So I write alot.

I've written one-and-a-half stories that I'm very proud of having written, as well as a couple-a poems that are on my blog. I've written many other things too, but nothing worth mentioning.

The thing is, I don't know what people consider “good writing.” So, since maybe you, the reader, can help, I will show you my two (one-and-a-half) stories that I've written.
Here, and here.

Then again, I've heard that great minds think for themselves. Maybe instead of telling me what good writing is, you could give me advice, no? =^ ]

Re: Weclome!

I posted my stories, but one link didn't work.
But now it's fixed, and it's right here.

Re: Welcome!

Hello Jodi.
Thanx for inviting me!
Here you people are talking about creativity.
So I have a question for all of you (specially for you, Jodi):
How often are you finding new solutions and ideas?
Thank you!

Re: Welcome!

Well, I have found many good ways to approach (and perspectives on) creativity. We have many great minds and creative thinkers here. I think that this pod is mainly a place to put things in black and white. This way a person can step back and have an idea of how we view things and find others that approach similar situations in  different ways. So there are many perspectives and creative ways to tackle similar problems! It's inspirational to know that others are out there solving creative problems in different ways. I have actually found much inspiration form people…. I hope it grows! I hope we can get into more sticky subjects and discuss work. ;-) thanks for being a part of this pod!

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Hi Jodi & All ~

I am Dryad and have just joined you. I do several different kinds of creative endeavors, usually all at the same time resulting in large piles of things, many mixed up computer files and not much else. I need some concrete help learning how to get things out the door and in the world. I spent a lot of years as an editor of a large press periodical. I do know the other side of the game and I know perfectly well that rejection is not personal, nor does it mean your work isn't good. It has more to do with what the house is already holding, what size batch your work came in which etc. Doesn't help me get my own work out the door though!

I am primarily a poet, though I am writing less poetry than other things lately. I just finished NaNoWriMo, coming in with 65,000 words, to which I've added about 20,000 more since the end of November and the end is no where in sight. I don't know about me and prose. I have published a fairly significant amount of essay type work, but not nearly as much as poetry and I was always the bane of editors because when I write prose I don't seem to know when to stop.

I began painting on the computer - with light - about three years ago and was astounded to find out that the art teacher who told me I was totally without talent was not completely on the mark.  I have yet to market any of my art work or get it to a larger audience, though I have a lot of it. I think about prints, cards, books, then I just paint some more.

I do like to combine poetry and art and I believe that is what I will begin sharing here. It is nice to meet you all and to be here.

~ Dryad

(Who goes by the name of Edwina Peterson Cross when I'm being serious.)

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I am liping, I like the Pod, I would tlike to  create new things in life.

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Hi!

I write poetry and read/perform my poetry. I am the author/publisher of my chapbook, Unsent Letters: Selected Poems.  I am an independent tv producer and a filmmaker. I am currently writing a movie treatment for a screenplay about globalization.

All kinds of art interest me. I dabbled in B&W and slide photography in high school and in community college. (Making a pin-hole camera was my first B&W photo class assignment. :) ) I learned about mailart surfing the net and sent my short poems on index cards illustrated with pictures in pencil and crayon to a gallery exhibit. I create personal collages. The last collage I created was a dream/goal collage entitled: “Glynda's Journey.” It was for my final project for a spiritual/metaphysical course I attended. To accompany the collage, I wrote a poem called “The Journey.” I'm considering posting the poem on my blog. 

I attend various local plays, screenings at film festivals, and local open art studios. My friends and acquaintances are graphic designers, painters, photographers, actors, musicians, singers, writers, poets, community leaders, art and culture commissioners. As you can see, art is part of my life. It is part of my circle, part of my community. 

I deal with writer's block several ways: Procrastinate, feel guilty and anxious, do other projects, accept the resistance as it is and don't judge it and when an idea pops up make note of it, carry a notebook around, automatic writings or stream of consciousness writings, clustering, using a tape recorder, or doing an exercise my life coach taught me–he taught me to ask the level of acceptance between a scale of 1 to 10 (1 lowest acceptance and 10 higher acceptance.) Then ask myself what is the level of acceptance of that level? Is it okay to go higher in level? What is strange is that it works. Accepting one's resistance leads to less resistance in the end.

Be blessed.
See you where passion and creativity meet.
Glynda

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Hi, I am Darby,

I am a culinary artist and a poet (in no order).

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Hi Darby!

Welcome. :)
I would love to read some of your poetry!