Making Fun

A blog about making life more magical and meaningful

Check out this Maker: Jenna Caitlin Designs

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Need a handmade calligraphy gift for someone special? Planning a bachelorette party? Want a set of custom wine glasses? Need a SnapChat filter (for…hmmm, not hip enough to understand what you’d do with a SnapChat filter)?

Check out Jenna Caitlin Designs.

I met Jenna last year and was inspired by her in many ways. Two of my favorite reasons? I love an origin story that has to do with family ties and traditions, and l love supporting kick-ass women entrepreneurs.

Jenna has sold more than 4,000 items on Etsy since opening her shop in 2012 with RAVE REVIEWS! I myself recently got these stemless wine glasses with hilarious wine puns.

Check out her website and shop!

Rekindle a Childhood Tradition

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When I was a kid, probably somewhere after the age of eight and before the age of fifteen, I can remember watching the same movie every New Year’s Eve: The Sound of Music. It would always be on TV, timed to end in the New Year, and I’d get to lie in bed with my mom and watch it.

At the time it didn’t seem like a big tradition, it was just something we always did.  I can remember my mom always being delighted each year that it had returned (“oooh, the Sound of Music is on tonight!”)

This year, a theater by our house was having a Sound of Music sing-a-long the week leading up to New Year’s Day. We went as a family on New Year’s Eve and it was the best!

Not only does that movie make my heart sing, seeing it connected me back to all of those New Year’s with my mom. I lit up telling my husband and daughter all about our old tradition, and suggesting that this may be a new one for us. (Fast forward to me being delighted next year, “oooh, the Sound of Music sing-a-long is back!”)

What childhood tradition could you rekindle?

Make Magic & Meaning

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Making is fundamental to what it means to be human. We must make, create, and express ourselves to feel whole. – The  Maker Manifesto

Yes, I believe that! And, also that:

Making is an act of love. Investing your time to make something is a precious gift (for others or yourself). It says ‘I care about you.’ Homemade and handmade things are worth so much more than things you can buy.

Making is empowering. Making things for ourselves and others reminds us that we don’t have to buy everything, or rely on others to do things for us. It inspires confidence, and develops independence. Making inspires more making.

Making is magic and meaning. It gives us an outlet to be creative and put our own twist on things. It represents our individuality and uniqueness, and allows us to connect with others in special ways. The Crafter’s Manifesto has a line that I love: ‘The things that people have made themselves have magic powers. They have hidden meanings that other people can’t see.’ I’d add that they can often feel them though.

Making is action. It is forward motion and progress. It is taking the bull by the horns. It is experiencing, learning and applying, and often innovation or invention. It is a journey of discovery of love, self, materials or ingredients.

Making is fun.  It inspires imagination. In many forms, it is often play. And, for all of the reasons above.

This blog is about making fun. It will include ideas and inspiration for all that is traditionally ‘making,’ as well as:

  • Making time to put something together, be it a special plan or a gift basket.
  • Making memories, through adventures, traditions and small acts.
  • Making things happen, by investing in ourselves, in our families and friends, in the entrepreneurial makers that are enriching our lives, communities, and world.

I love this call to action from A Maker’s Manifesto: to spend less time consuming and more time creating. 

Welcome, and thanks for being here!

 

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