Creativity and Covid - November/December 2020 Blog Carnival

 The topic for the Nov/Dec 2020 Jewelry Artisans Community Blog Carnival is "Creativity and Covid."  The Covid pandemic of 2020 has turned lives upside down this past year and it has been a time of great sorrow, frustration, boredom, anger, hope, fear and despair.  Since Covid is on all of our minds, the blogging community at JAC thought exploring how Covid has affected creativity a topic that we would like to explore.

When this all started back in February, 2020, I initially thought I'd be spending a lot of time in my studio designing and creating because we were not leaving home except to buy groceries every two weeks and I'd have a ton of time to create (lack of time being something I often complain about).  As it turns out, I was mistaken - I've spent very little time in my studio this past year.

Instead, I felt an almost urgent need to be outside.  We live on 3.5 acres that is in constant need of tree thinning, brush clearing and burning of the resulting vegetation piles to reduce fire danger.  Weather allowing, we were outside nearly every day taking care of our land back in February, March and April.  

Before

After

 

As the weather became too hot to work outside, I found myself wanting to spend time in the kitchen.  I was baking bread, cookies and other desserts and trying out new recipes.  I've always enjoyed cooking, but really took it to a new level.  I believe that there is aconnection between preparing food and taking care of our families and I think this was a way to nurture my husband and myself.

 

 

All of the above isn't to say I didn't make any jewelry.  I did here and there and derived the same sense of satisfaction as always; I just didn't feel driven to make it.

I've come to think that this lost year has fostered a different kind of creativity.  Working outside freed my mind to wander and my body to become strong and fit.  Cooking and baking is something I've always thought of as another art form and it was something my husband and I could share, whereas making jewelry doesn't allow for that kind of closeness.  The cooking and subsequent consumption of the food provided comfort to both of us. 

When I think about making jewelry, it seems inconsequential compared to what so many have had to endure, yet any activity, whether it is jewelry design, knitting, cooking, gardening, reading, writing poetry, bonding with pets or zoom chats with family and friends are all creative outlets and that provide what we have needed to help us get through this difficult time. My hope is that by spring, we will be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and that people will be able to begin to re-claim their lives and pick up the pieces. 

To read what other members of the Jewelry Artisans Community have to say about Creativity and Covid, please click on the links below:

Cat's Wire