Archive for February, 2010

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5-Things-IconI woke up to a beautiful morning in Nashville today – the sun is out, and there is a hint of spring in the air. There is snow in the forecast tomorrow, so I plan to get outdoors and soak up all the sunshine I possibly can today. First, though, here are a few of the things that are inspiring me this week:

1. Valentine’s Day DIYs

My husband is such a romantic, while I tend to be a bit more… resistant? It’s not easy to sweep me off my feet, but I do love that we dedicate a holiday to celebrating the relationships in our lives that bring us love and joy. My mom has always made a big deal out of Valentine’s Day, and that is probably a big reason why it means so much to me as an adult.

The commercial side of Valentine’s Day can sometimes really put a damper on the spirit of the holiday. A handmade gift for the one (or ones) you love. Here are a few DIYs to get you started: Continue Reading

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Melanie Sklarz, February 2010

In my last post, I explored the concept of using creativity as an agent of social change and highlighted a program in Cleveland that was doing just that. I also asked readers to share their own examples of creativity and community building.

One reader, Isobel, left a comment praising the organization Ashoka and the partnership between IDEO and the Gates Foundation. I decided to check out her suggestions and was thoroughly impressed.

Ashoka is a leader in the social entrepreneur movement supporting some 2,000 fellows in 60 different countries with projects ranging from sanitation to establishing schools. Ashoka has created a global network of innovation and creativity empowering regular citizens to become change makers.
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Today I have the honor of being over at Jamie Ridler Studios. Go here to listen to my interview with Jamie for her “Creative Living with Jamie” series. You can also subscribe in iTunes. I highly recommend that you do – I have found Jamie’s podcasts to be so creatively nurturing and inspirational – a … Continue Reading

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perch_monday-iconEvery Monday is Tip Day! Grab a cup of coffee and get over the Monday morning bump with tips, tools, and inspiration from Perch.

This Week: Embrace Constraint

Many times as I am working on a creative piece, such as the short story draft I have due this weekend, I find myself wishing for the perfect creative environment. The right music, the right atmosphere, peace and quiet, no responsibilities, time to myself, no to-do list waiting. I find myself wanting to get away so I can get down to the business of creative work.

And sometimes that is what is needed. But many times, it’s not.

Creative retreats serve a necessary and valuable purpose, but let’s be honest – we can’t go on retreat every time we have a deadline. We can’t hide ourselves away every time we have a project on our plates. (Unless we’re J.D. Salinger, that is.)
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If you haven’t seen this beauty yet, head on over to Polapremium to check out the awesomeness. Oh, yes, this one’s on my wishlist. I have a Polaroid 600 from around 1997 that still works perfectly. It’s the first Polaroid instant film camera I ever purchased, and I think it cost me $40. If the … Continue Reading

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