I love this, and this resonates deeply, because it's how I feel when I do pottery. (And obviously, doing things purely for the love fo doing them is the subject of upcoming book!). I can't wait to read more.
Love this! Looking forward to more Diary of a Maker entries. I’m in the process of pivoting my career in design to focus solely on print design—tactile, tangible design you hold on to (literally and figuratively).
This is just beautiful. Creation restores us. It literally brings us back to life. Love the table!!! Thank you Jonathan for sharing. Even vicariously, real experience always offers us the best reminders. xo
Love how projects like this remove us from the dopamine hit of instant gratification with the stroke of a button. Need to find myself a project or two that requires commitment. Thanks for the inspo.
Such a good point, Sarah. We've become so dialed into that digital dopamine drip, it's often hard to break away from it, but having something immersive like physical making can really make a difference.
I’m 100% here for your maker diaries! Having recently turned 60, I’ve found myself drawn to doing things with my hands again. I’ve been sewing and creating collages, and plan to take a wood carving class later this summer.
A big yes to making and writing about it! I'm smiling as I bet there are many knitters, sewers and other textile artists out there reading this and nodding. It sure feels good to make and mend with your hands, thank you!
Thanks, Liz. I actually want to learn more about the world of fiber arts, too. There may be some fun shares around that coming from my travels later this summer.
I love this idea for maker diaries! I think all makers could benefit from doing their own diaries as well as reading diaries of other makers. I’m thinking of the incredible Daybook by Anne Truitt as well as what you shared here. So touching and beautiful.
I’m sensitive to how I show up to create. I love to paint big and use broad gestures and big colors. In the past, I made a living off of making and selling jewelry, but even that felt too narrow and confined. Using digital mediums to create really doesn’t work for me. Even when I did fiber art, the materials and movement mattered so much, it’s a tactile thing.
Your table is beautiful, Jonathan, thanks for sharing it with us! Maybe the guitars are up next?
So glad the diary concepts resonates, Janet. Having fun revisiting projects with it. Working on some new ones soon, along with some bigger things. Loving hearing about how you painted big, I feel some of that calling me now as well. And, yes, there just may be a guitar entry coming soon. ;-)
Hi Jonathan, I was in your yoga teacher training class 20 years ago.. I met you again last year (through your podcasts and books). I feel like it wasn't an accident. I've since turned to your podcast frequently for guidance and hope. My son says when he gets in the car at school pickup, "Oh, it's that Jonathan guy again." I hope some of your words are staying with him. This article, too, feels like I read it right now for a reason. Thank you.
And how crazy is it that we are chatting here now! I wanted to say hi, but you seemed so big now. You were only a comment away! Sincerely thank you for helping me so much. You have no idea.
This post is exactly what I needed today. I've been buried deep in my mind, helping business entrepreneurial people build their businesses and putting aside my "Maker" tendencies. The Maker is not a primary Spark Type for me, but it has always been a reprieve point for my literal mind and organizational tendencies. Thank you for sharing and especially with the pictures. It's always wonderful to see what turns up when hands are busy finding "God in the grain".
Oh yes, looking forward to more of these... I completely get it. Been thinking about this a lot lately, feel the pull of wanting to make. I'm a scientist so I get to "create" at work too, but it's different. And again, when you're just starting out you do so more with abandon, following all sorts of "crazy ideas". Then you get laden with meetings and admin and other nonsense, and because we have to compete for funding (getting harder by the day!) you sort of have to look for ideas that are "desirable" to them...
Thank you so much for the story of this journey, Jonathan. I always feel like the return to materiality and creativity is a sacred process — and it sounds like maybe you do too… And so beautifully written!
I love this, and this resonates deeply, because it's how I feel when I do pottery. (And obviously, doing things purely for the love fo doing them is the subject of upcoming book!). I can't wait to read more.
Being the son of a potter when I was a kid, totally get that too, Karen. Nothing like it, really.
Love this! Looking forward to more Diary of a Maker entries. I’m in the process of pivoting my career in design to focus solely on print design—tactile, tangible design you hold on to (literally and figuratively).
So glad this resonated, Jen. Excited to share more adventures in making. And to learn more about yours, too!
This is just beautiful. Creation restores us. It literally brings us back to life. Love the table!!! Thank you Jonathan for sharing. Even vicariously, real experience always offers us the best reminders. xo
Thanks for the kind words, Danni. It really does restore us in ways few other things do.
Love how projects like this remove us from the dopamine hit of instant gratification with the stroke of a button. Need to find myself a project or two that requires commitment. Thanks for the inspo.
Such a good point, Sarah. We've become so dialed into that digital dopamine drip, it's often hard to break away from it, but having something immersive like physical making can really make a difference.
I’m 100% here for your maker diaries! Having recently turned 60, I’ve found myself drawn to doing things with my hands again. I’ve been sewing and creating collages, and plan to take a wood carving class later this summer.
Love it, Tracy! And wood carving, very cool!
A big yes to making and writing about it! I'm smiling as I bet there are many knitters, sewers and other textile artists out there reading this and nodding. It sure feels good to make and mend with your hands, thank you!
Thanks, Liz. I actually want to learn more about the world of fiber arts, too. There may be some fun shares around that coming from my travels later this summer.
I love this idea for maker diaries! I think all makers could benefit from doing their own diaries as well as reading diaries of other makers. I’m thinking of the incredible Daybook by Anne Truitt as well as what you shared here. So touching and beautiful.
I’m sensitive to how I show up to create. I love to paint big and use broad gestures and big colors. In the past, I made a living off of making and selling jewelry, but even that felt too narrow and confined. Using digital mediums to create really doesn’t work for me. Even when I did fiber art, the materials and movement mattered so much, it’s a tactile thing.
Your table is beautiful, Jonathan, thanks for sharing it with us! Maybe the guitars are up next?
So glad the diary concepts resonates, Janet. Having fun revisiting projects with it. Working on some new ones soon, along with some bigger things. Loving hearing about how you painted big, I feel some of that calling me now as well. And, yes, there just may be a guitar entry coming soon. ;-)
As she cried " yes! yes, YES!!!!" and thumped the table - I too LOVE the process and embodiment with the ephemeral in making 💖
Totally want to just caress the table, photo is amazing!
So agree, it's all about the process, Mary. And getting lost in it.
Hi Jonathan, I was in your yoga teacher training class 20 years ago.. I met you again last year (through your podcasts and books). I feel like it wasn't an accident. I've since turned to your podcast frequently for guidance and hope. My son says when he gets in the car at school pickup, "Oh, it's that Jonathan guy again." I hope some of your words are staying with him. This article, too, feels like I read it right now for a reason. Thank you.
Oh wow, that's amazing! Such a fun way to be reconnected.
And how crazy is it that we are chatting here now! I wanted to say hi, but you seemed so big now. You were only a comment away! Sincerely thank you for helping me so much. You have no idea.
This post is exactly what I needed today. I've been buried deep in my mind, helping business entrepreneurial people build their businesses and putting aside my "Maker" tendencies. The Maker is not a primary Spark Type for me, but it has always been a reprieve point for my literal mind and organizational tendencies. Thank you for sharing and especially with the pictures. It's always wonderful to see what turns up when hands are busy finding "God in the grain".
Gorgeous table!
Oh yes, looking forward to more of these... I completely get it. Been thinking about this a lot lately, feel the pull of wanting to make. I'm a scientist so I get to "create" at work too, but it's different. And again, when you're just starting out you do so more with abandon, following all sorts of "crazy ideas". Then you get laden with meetings and admin and other nonsense, and because we have to compete for funding (getting harder by the day!) you sort of have to look for ideas that are "desirable" to them...
Thank you so much for the story of this journey, Jonathan. I always feel like the return to materiality and creativity is a sacred process — and it sounds like maybe you do too… And so beautifully written!
To engage, create,
making reconnects Source, Self.
Through fumbles, stumbles.