Returning after long break to blogging

Hi All,

I started this blog a few years ago and just left it sitting there. At the time I was a wee bit lost in my direction in life. Well what a change since then. The creative juices are well and truly flowing at the moment.  I need to get at my website and update also but this is on my to do list shortly.

Now had my rant in 2010 about creativity so decided to do something about it. I have a website http://catherinesotherndesigns.com which as I said needs work doing on it. Since then I have been Designing and making neck pieces, shrugs and home wears from recycled fabrics. Recently I did a workshop on Natural Dye and Print to go with the sustainable ethos I have with my other pieces. Now I have to say it has changed my life, the colours and patterns you get from this is amazing and it is something I am totally addicted to, below are some of the finished products. 100% silk scarf, naturally dyed and printed with leaves, are they cool or what.

I attended a workshop in Kilkenny last Wednesday supported by the CCOI (Craft Council of Ireland)and CCEB (County and City Enterprise Board) call Continuing Professional Development Workshop Programme.  The Workshop was given by Mary Carty www.marycarty.com an amazing workshop on Effective use of Social Media in developong and promoting my craft and design enterprise. This has given me the kick start I needed to get more proactive with my business, so upwards and onwards from here.

I intend to post as often as I can on what I am up to with pictures etc, I have a pot on the boil at the moment waiting for more dyed pieces, delivery of some beautiful silk and wool fabric today, sun is shining, dogs are happy and all is well in the world, off to work I go. You all have a great day and get as creative as you can, it really is the spice of life.

http://catherin

How to regain the creativity you once had.

Hi All,

I have been going through inner turmoil for the past few months, I am a very creative person, but have been bogged down in family and work for the past number of years and seem to have lost touch with my inner and real self.
I could not sleep last night as images of what I once was kept appearing. I put it down to drinking coffee before bed time ( not the thing to do before sleep), then I realised.  I had been to a craft fair yesterday and it pressed some button in my inner self, time to get creative again.

I have been working as Interior Designer for the past 15years, I know it is a creative business but with products so readily available from stores etc, no real need to self express as origanality has gone out the door in interiors. 

Has creativity gone into slump, are we all sheep following the heard .  Has technology taken our souls away from us, I hope not.  In my case I feel the right hand side of my brain has had an awakening and it is never too late...............