Today marks the half-year point for Sips of Inspiration, but instead of going ahead with my next interview, I want to do two things.

First I want to revisit my WHY. And second I want to check in with you, my dear readers.

I am so grateful you are here!

I think it’s helpful to periodically revisit my intentions for all that I do. Why do I write this blog? Why do I share what I do here, in my Joy Letters, on YouTube, in my classes?

When I first started sharing Sips of Inspiration my intention was to help inspire and encourage YOU on your creative journey. I also wanted to share a variety of makers and ways of making, reinforcing the idea that making and art and creativity can mean many things.

In March I chatted with Jenny Blair, an embroidery kit designer from Scotland.

In April I interviewed Melanie April, a painter and teacher in Florida.

May’s chat was with Ruby Josephine Smith, a dancer, choreographer, writer and podcaster living and working in Tangier, Morocco.

Jenny Blair, Melanie April and Ruby Josephine Smith

Ishrat Khawja and I chatted in June about her business hand dyeing beautiful yarns in the UK.

Then in July I interviewed Laura Ashton, a gardener and botanical illustrator in Canada.

My main WHY for this series and for everything I share is to inspire and encourage.

Each of these women is inspiring. Each of their stories is an encouragement. And each of their businesses has, as a part of it, a goal of inspiring and encouraging, too.

In designing and selling kits, Jenny encourages her customers to pick up needle and thread and be creative. Ishrat’s yarn business directly supports and encourages the creativity of her customers, too. Melanie, Ruby and Laura all teach. And Ruby’s podcast brings inspiration and encouragement by sharing the stories of so many other creative people.

Perhaps it’s part of our very nature as artists to want to share and encourage.

In addition to inspiration and encouragement, an underlying goal for Sips of Inspiration (and this blog, my Joy Letters, YouTube and my classes) is to foster a sense of community.

In so many ways right now our societies are fractured. Divisive. Antagonistic. We’re also physically isolated right now because of the pandemic.

Bringing people together around beauty and joy has never been more important.

One of the best ways to create community is by sharing our stories.

I’d love to hear from you today. Invite you share your voice, your perspective. I filmed a quick video asking for your input:

I hope you will share your thoughts in the comments. Talk about the kinds of making you like to do. Talk about what inspires you, what motivates you. Talk about the obstacles you’re working to overcome. Share advice or lessons you’ve learned. I know your story will inspire others. If nothing else sharing our stories reinforces the fact that we’re not alone in how we feel, with our struggles, our challenges.

I know some of you write your own blogs, teach classes, sell art. Please shares links to your creative corners of the internet. Let’s encourage each other, cheer each other on.

And, as always, I’m always open to hearing your ideas of what you’d like to see here on my blog and in my other offerings.

Dana Barbieri and I recently painted this heart collaboratively by mail

When I first started making art, one of the things that helped me keep going was hearing the stories of other artists. What I do here is the best way I know to give back.

I look forward to reading what you have to say!

Why Sharing Encouragement and Inspiration is So Important

First I want to revisit my WHY. And second I want to check in with you, my dear readers.

My main WHY for this series and for everything I share is to inspire and encourage.

In addition to inspiration and encouragement, an underlying goal for Sips of Inspiration (and this blog, my Joy Letters, YouTube and my classes) is to foster a sense of community.

Bringing people together around beauty and joy has never been more important.