Creating from Scratch

Ch-ch-changes. . .

This blog, Creating from Scratch, began as a place to explore my own creativity and to hopefully inspire a few readers to do the same. It's also been about learning to take risks and follow one's passions.

In that spirit, from here on out I'll be focusing my energies on my new business, The Make Lounge. I've launched a slightly-related blog, Make London, which is still in its (very) early stages. (Don't mind the paint and sawdust...we're still building.)

I hope you'll update your links and join me there!

Pictures!

A few of many pics taken over the weekend at The Make Lounge.

Getting there, getting there. . . :)

Sneaky peek!

Hi all! I've been racing a million miles per hour working on launching The Make Lounge, my new business, so I haven't been around here for months. Now you can find out what I've been up to!

Head on over to The Make Lounge web site, where you'll get a sneaky peek of our look and feel, plus a sign up link for our e-newsletter. (Zap in your email address so you can be the first to find out about our upcoming workshops!)

The finished web site, with online booking (how cool is that?! my designer+tech guy are both amazing), will be live in a few weeks and workshops begin in October. Wheee!

Craft workshop teachers wanted (London, UK)

Calling all creative individuals! I'm seeking instructors with enthusiasm for a particular craft or project to run paid classes in London.

The venue is The Make Lounge, a new space (launching Autumn 2007) where busy women can reconnect with their creativity - and socialize with others - through fun, informal evening and weekend craft-based courses.

I'm looking for expertise in the following subjects (but am open to others, too): beaded jewelry, sewing, paper crafting, collaging, scrap booking, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, recycled fashion, candle making, and soap making.

If you’d like to be considered for a teaching spot, please email JenniferTML@gmail.com with TEACHER in the subject line. Please include a description of the class, a bit of info about yourself, your rate requirements for teaching the class, the maximum number of students, and the duration of the class (e.g., 2 hours, three 2-hour sessions, etc.).

Look forward to hearing from you.

Watch this space

I've been absent from these parts of late ... mainly because I've been working on my business!

In a few months, I'll be launching the first classes at The Make Lounge, a space where women can sign up for evening and weekend courses to further their own creativity, as well as to socialize in a fun, informal atmostphere.

Not only will each guest come away with a new skill plus a finished project (whether a piece of jewelry or a sewn wrap skirt, for example) she'll also enjoy great conversation and meet some new friends. All without breaking the bank.

If you live in London (or know someone who does!) and would like to learn more about The Make Lounge (including finding out about new classes as they become available), please drop me a line at jennifer@creatingfromscratch.com. (Include THE MAKE LOUNGE in the subject line.)

Hope to hear from you soon!

You get what you need

I seem to be having a string of bad health luck of late. First last week's migraine then this morning I slipped getting into the shower and - crash - I fell and hit my head smack on the toilet.

Nothing finer then being sprawled on the bathroom floor (sans clothes, of course) screaming at 6:30 a.m. Joy joy. I now have a lump the size and shape of a golf ball and a horribly wrenched neck.

So today is all about taking it easy. The perfect time to finish up my project for this week's Midweek Make Break.

The theme?

Stillness. Couldn't be more perfect.

Happy Friday, everyone. Hope you find some peace and quiet in your day.

The simple things

I started off a very promising week by receiving an unexpected and ultimately not very welcome gift: my first ever migraine headache.

Three lost days and nights later, I've returned - and, compared with that private suffering, which was absolutely unlike anything I've ever experienced before, life seems rosy and fantastic. My vision is again clear, my thoughts unfogged, the tingling in my extremities receded, and most important, the sledgehammer-like pounding inside and outside of my skull has lovingly silenced. In fact, every symptom vanished, simultaneously, at precisely 8:03 p.m. on Thursday.

Poof. Just like that. A bit surreal, really.

Today, post migraine, I feel like I've had 100 massages, slept in late, witnessed the blooming of every flower in the world at once, and had the most extravagant box of organic, Fairtrade, 70% cocoa solids chocolate delivered to me on a platter. All at the same time.

Another bright spot? This lovely little box of goodies in the photo, above, arrived today from Lisa. How sweet she is! (Actually, there were more bits in the package, but I've already used them!).

Life is good. Sometimes things need to get really, really bad so you can remember just how good.

I've got the bug

Nothing like seeing your child wearing something you've made. (Had to snap this when R. was already at nursery due to light issues, but you get the idea. I made it on Sunday afternoon, and she wore it last night with some stripey tights and loved it.) This was my third sewing project and I have to say that I'm hooked! Next step, something for myself?

Enjoy your weekend, everyone.

Support the little guys

Just ordered a copy. Wheee!

One down. . .

Held my first workshop last night, this one for the lovely ladies of the N1WI. Great feedback, and many wonderful emails this morning. So inspiring!

I have also identified several potential designers to help create my visual identity and am meeting with the first one on Monday. This is very exciting as I'm keen to move forward (already have press interest and lots of women asking about upcoming evening and weekend workshops in London...go go go!). If you'd like to be added to the mailing list, shoot me an email (see left). Onward and upward.

Hope everyone's enjoying their week.