AN ODE TO CREATIVITY IN A CRISIS
We know times are strange. And you hadn’t planned on spending the whole of March (and April...and May?) inside your home. But if we’ve learned anything over the last few days - and what we’re sure to learn in the coming months - is that we are nothing if not adaptable.
For now, the big wide world will have to shrink a little. Day to day acts of kindness or creativity take on new weight, and little pleasures fill us up in ways we wouldn’t usually have time to notice. We’re bringing the outside in and learning to live life in our own spaces - one moment at a time. In our opinion, if you’re going to be inside, you might as well give your home some love and attention (in between Netflix marathons and weirdly-timed meals, of course).
So here’s a little collection of crafty activities to bring some colourful, sweet-smelling relief to these strange days.
BUNCH DATE
Restocking your window sills with fresh flowers every week might not be completely possible right now. Luckily, dried flowers are here to save the day. The cool, papery tones of dried rosebuds, eucalyptus and gyp bring a dusky romance to the home (and, let’s be honest, saves you a lot of money). It turns out you can do a lot with dead petals - so gather up your old bunches and let the Gardenistas give you some wreath-inspiration. Or inhale Amy Merricks book on the wonders of flower arranging here.
NEW WALLS
You know that wall you’ve been staring at for weeks, wondering whether to paint it? It’s time.
Never before has colour had so much power to change our mood. It’s amazing what a new bedroom wall colour can do for a Sunday lie-in, or how a lick of paint in the bathroom can turn it into the only room you ever want to be in.
Pinterest provides us with hours of bold wall paint entertainment (who’d have thought ‘seude’ was a good shade for a kitchen?), and if you’re looking to fire up your love affair with colour, read Samantha Hillman’s celebration of it here - In Praise of Colour. For even more interior inspiration, check out our Home board on Pinterest.
CANDLE MAKING
You never thought you’d be the kind of person who handcrafts their own candle. But you also never thought you’d have to go into isolation in your own home. For all those long baths, early nights and Skype pasta parties, you’re going to need a lot of candles to set the mood. Learn the soothing art of making your own. Here's a great book to get you started. You can also buy a DIY kit here.
MAKE ART
In the words of Picasso; ‘Good artists copy, great artists steal.’
We’re not so sure about Pablo’s sentiment in the real world, but in times of self-isolation, making art can bring us hours of fun, creativity and calm to the point of meditation.
Soph, the founder of Kalinko, once told us to look to our favourite artists when we’re stuck on what to start drawing. Copying will help you sharpen up your skills, and it’s impossible not to bring your own touch to each piece.
Molly Mahon is also doing great block printing tutorials online here and you can buy a starter set here.
If this all feels a little intimidating, we’ve got you. Join us as we unplug from reality with our mindless colourings from The Sunday Paper.
PHOTO ALBUMS
Remember a time when cutting, gluing and colouring in a mood board or photo album could take up an entire afternoon? It’s time to reconnect with your inner tween.
We love Liberty London for creaky, leather-bound photo albums, or MUJI for a minimal, linen version.
Prefer to keep things digital? Now’s a good chance to sort out the thousands of photos clogging up your hard drive. Head to Papier to put all the best ones into a beautifully printed hardback.