PLUS: See below to read about Models Needed!

One of the most hopeful things I’ve seen recently is a resurgence in “craft.” All of the handmade pink pussycat hats worn by marchers protesting the inauguration was an indelible image of sisterhood support. You couldn’t buy these hats, someone had to make one for you. Across America, stores ran out of pink yarn.

I recently spent an afternoon walking around the small, upscale village of downtown Mill Valley. In the past I’ve shopped for clients in the charming boutiques, but on this brisk sunny winter day I was aimlessly browsing.

First stop was the fabric store Sewn. Owner Melissa told me she is teaching sewing classes to anxious teens, giving them an opportunity to discover that concentrating on a project is calming. I wandered past the flower stand up the street to Illumigarden and was enchanted by their many outdoor sculptures. To my delight there was a work table with paper and a bin of crayons for visitors, and a nearby tea service. After taking photos of a jellyfish sculpture that appears to flow into my own mermaid head of hair, I promised I’d be back.

Next I was thrilled to discover the Once Around Store, a fresh new art supply and craft store. They offer yarn, fabric for quilters, and a glorious array of my favorite eye candy, Sennelier chalk and oil pastels. Owner Louise told me not only are they out of pink yarn, they are sold out of all knitting needles. We barely had a chance to chat due to a steady stream of customers.

During anxious times, entering the flow of creativity will bring you peace. It doesn’t matter if you consider yourself an artist or not. You can cut and paste magazine images into a collage, doodle with markers, color with crayons. Putting aside your device and going offline for awhile really seems to help. You can also visit with artisans that are running small boutiques and galleries and talk with them about their inspirations and hopes. In Petaluma, Moj San Gift and Garden Gallery is a restful oasis of creativity.

My blog, Paint Your Way to Weight Loss, begins, “We’ve found that painting rainbows for twenty minutes before meals results in significantly more weight loss than going to the gym for an equal amount of time. We suggest you cut back on your workouts and spend some time with a paintbrush in your hand”. Also, revisit the last chapter of Growing More Beautiful, Living an Artful Life, for inspiration and reassurance.

There’s some sort of eternal music in the air, and if we listen and move with it we may have the feeling that we are taking part in a larger dance. – Robert Genn