Creativity is the perfect addition to a self-care routine

by CCSA Admin | Dec 30, 2020 | Blog, Press

A study was conducted with students 5 to 18 years old. When asked what they wanted to be when they grew up, researchers found that those interested in being an artist dramatically dropped starting at age 10. This can be attributed to more self-awareness of their talents, the ability to compare themselves to others (and other’s skills) and/or in response to influences in their upbringing and home life.

But really, why would any child – or adult for that matter – think they lack artistic talent? Being an artist is so much more than being able to draw or paint. Art is creativity, and creativity comes in so many forms. The obvious: creating through mediums like pen and paper, canvas and paint, photography, writing, design and composition.

Then there’s creativity for fun: molding clay, gardening, chalk on a sidewalk, rearranging your collectibles, planning a wall of your favorite photos, putting together a photo album, designing .. the list goes on and on.

As part of your own self-care, the importance (and massive health benefits!) of regularly practicing art and being creative has been studied and proven time and time again. Studies show that the levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone, drastically drop when we spend time making art. Artistic or not, we all deal with stress. So maybe it’s time we explore the avenue of arts and creating as a form of self-care.

Art therapy is a long-standing mental health practice using art materials and creative expression to treat those who experience anxiety, depression, social difficulties or medical ailments. By creating art, no matter the skill level, we engage our mind, body, and spirit in a way that is restorative and comes with a host of benefits. Practicing art therapy helps to reduce stress and anxiety, while also increasing self-esteem.

When we create art, we’re able to look outside of ourselves and see the world around us with new eyes. We bring our attention to the piece we’re creating, or the photo we’re taking, and all the details that bring it to life. It’s a low-intensity act that doesn’t leave us feeling depleted, but instead soothed and more open-minded.

In the study highlighting how creating art lowers cortisol levels, it was uncovered that participants not only found the session relaxing and enjoyable, but also helpful in learning about new aspects of self. Without the normal constraints, they were able to indulge in a sense of flow and lose themselves in the work. Their sense of confidence was also impacted in that they left feeling interested in creating more art in the future.

Though we may not all have access to an art therapist, there are simple ways in which we can make it part of our daily lives. Here are some ideas for incorporating art and creativity into your self-care routine:

Visit your local paint-your-own pottery studio.

Studios provide everything you need to relax, have fun and engage with your creativity; supplies, instruction and inspiration are all at your disposal. From pottery painting to DIY projects, it’s the perfect place for a quiet afternoon alone or a fun outing with the family.

So much of what a studio offers is about the process: the creating. The designing. The planning and execution. Remember the levels of cortisol – those stress hormones? – and how they start dropping when you create? Well, you can feel it as you settle in and start painting.

Walk-ins are welcome; many studios are now offering to-go kits to enjoy the artistic process safely in your home.

Enroll in a beginner’s art class (or attend a paint and sip!).

Tapping into our creativity through art is also a great way to make our lives more social. We can build a connection with other like-minded individuals by joining a beginner’s art class, which can help with feelings of loneliness or social anxiety. Grab a friend and attending a paint and sip somewhere nearby! These sessions are generally guided by an instructor with an easy-to-follow piece of art. Many classes are now offered online!

Create a vision board.

They can be expanded upon throughout the year as your goals, dreams, and ambitions evolve. Vision boards help materialize the ideas we have in our minds and spark a sense of motivation.

Or keep it simple.

Using art as a means of self-care doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as doodling on a piece of paper or taking a pencil and drawing what’s in front of you for five minutes each day. The main goal is to free your mind and allow yourself the space for self-expression.

Self-care knows no bounds and doesn’t have to be limited to an idea of what others say you’re “supposed” to do. Take time to incorporate art and creativity into your routine weekly. It may just be what you’ve been searching for to unlock the sense of peace and clarity you desire.

Find your local paint-your-own pottery studio (many offer online sales and classes): https://paintyourownpottery.com/

Going out on dates. Remember those?

by CCSA Admin | Oct 14, 2020 | Blog, Press

You’d take the time to get dressed and ready, leave the house and spend some time doing something exciting and fun or, if nothing else, just enjoy each other’s company in a place other than your living room likely with drinks and a meal that neither of you had to prepare (on dishes neither of you will have to wash)…

Some of our favorite dates include visits to Disney World, watching pro sporting events,

hanging out at a brewery, preferably with my dog tagging along and wine tasting.

When Coronavirus hit, our Spring and Summer plans changed, most coming to a halt, like everything else in the country.  Birthday celebration at Disney?  Nope.  Taylor Swift concert?  Postponed.  Bachelorette parties and weddings?  Maybe next year.

It was time we sought out ways to make dates at home special.  We cooked together, watched old Disney movies, even bought a big pool to set up in the driveway.  It was then suggested that we pick up “Pottery To Go” from our local paint your own pottery studio.  I surprised Allison and picked out the pieces – a stemless wineglass for me and an ice cream bowl for her.  

One night after dinner, we set up the counter with all the supplies we received – It was everything we needed to complete the projects including the pottery, glazes, brushes, and instructions.  

We had a great time, chatting while we painted (and sipped some wine!). It was so relaxing!  And, as a photographer, it was great to stretch my creative muscles in a different way.  

I went with a more contemporary design on my piece – finding inspiration online – and Allison did an amazing job painting her bowl to look like a waffle cone bowl of ice cream!

It came up while we were painting that pottery painting would be a super fun activity for a bachelorette night or even a birthday celebration with friends.  We’d love to see what our friends would create! The next chance I got, I dropped the pottery pieces off at the studio where they dipped them in a clear glaze and fired them in a kiln, making them food-safe and super bright and shiny!  They were then ready for pick up about a week later. 

We love that we have these special pieces to remind us of the fun we still had during this crazy time.  And with the number of times each week Allison has ice cream, we’re going to be remembering it often!

If you’re looking for a fun, creative date idea, we highly recommend checking out your local paint your own pottery studio’s offerings.  Some are starting to open again for in-studio painting and most are still offering “Pottery To Go.”  Some make it even easier by offering ordering online for a quick & safe pick up!  Go to https://paintyourownpottery.com/ and find a studio near you – be sure to follow @paintyourownpotteryccsa on Facebook for lots of pottery painting inspiration.

Cheers to making the best of things and in the meantime, finding new favorite things to do!

Hannah

Take-Home Pottery Kits From Your Local Art Studio Are The Perfect Quarantine Projects

by CCSA Admin | May 7, 2020 | Blog, Press

 

While we have been in quarantine for what feels like forever, many families are still looking for fun, new activities to keep everyone occupied. One creative option? Try a paint your own pottery take-home kit from a local art studio. It’s kind of like restaurant takeout, but with ceramics, paint, and instructions. Once you take the kit home and complete your masterpiece, you bring it back to the studio and they throw it in the kiln (a pottery “oven” that seals the paint and dries it onto the piece) and pick it up once it’s done — which is usually in about four days. Pretty cool, right?

Paint your own pottery — or “PYOP” as the cool kids are saying these days — is an incredibly fun way for folks to unleash their inner artist. Atlanta-based artist and business owner Ammie Williams has been involved with PYOP for the last decade, and worked at a local PYOP studio as their creative director for nine years. This store, among others, is offering take-home PYOP kits during quarantine.

Williams says not only are PYOP kits a great way to break up the monotonous routine of quarantine, but it’s the perfect way to let your kids release some creative energy. I mean, go ahead and count it as part of their homeschooling. “Art is such a great way for children to express themselves. When kids are let loose to create whatever they want, it’s amazing,” Williams says.

She tells Romper that a paint-your-own-pottery activity can teach your kids foresight (they need to look ahead to imagine how the piece will look), creativity, and patience (most studios and schools only use the kiln once a week or so). Truly, if there’s any lesson to be learned right now, it’s patience.

But kids aren’t the only ones reaping benefits. “I see so many happy hours happening on Zoom these days, so why not organize a girls’ night in and paint some pottery? Plus, working on fired arts is so much more exciting than heading to a big box store and picking an acrylic-based pottery project off the shelf. When working with PYOP, you paint your piece, send it off, and it comes back to you all shiny and perfect. That is such a fun feeling,” Williams tells Romper.

For a definitive list of every PYOP location around the U.S., visit the Paint Your Own Pottery website’s studio locator page. Otherwise, check out a few of these amazing studios below to see if one is within driving distance from your house. Additionally, Williams offers project guides on her website, which are essentially “recipes” for projects you can do at home — you just need access to a kiln. She’ll also have canvas project guides up soon so you can have the completed project at your home immediately without having to wait for a kiln.

 

 

1. The Painted Pot – Brooklyn, New York