Tag: creativity and mental health

Crafting as a Mirror: How Your Yarn, Thread, and Fabric Color Choices Reflect Your Inner World
Have you ever stopped to consider why you’re drawn to certain colors in your fiber arts projects? Whether you instinctively reach for bold, saturated hues or soft, muted neutrals, your color choices can reveal more than just aesthetic preferences—they can be a reflection of your emotions, mental state, and even deeper patterns in your life.

Color has long been recognized as a powerful emotional and psychological tool in both art therapy and traditional color theory. The colors you work with in your craft can provide insight into your current mood, personality, and subconscious feelings. When we slow down and bring intention to our creative choices, we can use color not just to make something beautiful, but to better understand ourselves.

In Craft to Heal, we explore how fiber arts can be a tool for mindfulness, self-discovery, and emotional well-being. Understanding the role of color in your craft can help you tap into deeper self-awareness and make the most of the craft you already love.

Want to learn more? Click here to join Craft to Heal.

The Psychology of Color in Fiber Arts

Colors are more than just visual stimuli—they evoke emotional responses, influence our mental state, and can even shift the way we experience creativity. While color psychology offers common associations, these meanings can vary across cultures, personal experiences, and even individual memories. A color that feels calming to one person might feel energizing or even unsettling to another. The key is to notice your own unique emotional responses to color and how they show up in your creative work. Here’s a look at how different colors often connect to mood, emotions, and even mental health:

Red – Passion, energy, intensity. Red is stimulating and can evoke strong emotions, from love to anger. It’s often used in craft projects by those who feel bold and confident—or those seeking to ignite motivation and push through creative blocks.

Orange – Warmth, enthusiasm, creativity. Orange is associated with playfulness and risk-taking, making it an excellent color to introduce when you want to break out of a creative rut.

Yellow – Optimism, joy, clarity. Yellow has an uplifting quality, but in excess, it can also evoke restlessness. If you find yourself avoiding yellow, ask yourself if you’re resisting joy or struggling with anxiety.

Green – Balance, growth, renewal. Green is naturally calming and is often used in art therapy for its grounding effect. If you’re drawn to earthy greens, you might be seeking stability or healing.

Blue – Peace, introspection, calm. Blue has been shown to lower stress levels and encourage a sense of inner reflection. People with anxiety often feel drawn to blue tones for their soothing qualities.

Purple – Creativity, depth, spirituality. Purple is often linked to self-expression and intuition—if you naturally gravitate toward purples, you may be in a period of deep thought or creative expansion.

Black – Protection, depth, emotional processing. Black absorbs all light, making it a color associated with introspection and processing deep emotions. Many people drawn to black are working through grief, transformation, or self-protection.

White – Simplicity, new beginnings, clarity. White represents fresh starts, and people incorporating a lot of white into their craft may be seeking mental clarity or emotional space.

Multicolored / Variegated Colors – A desire for spontaneity, energy, or emotional expression. Multicolored projects often reflect an openness to chaos and movement—or a longing to bring more vibrancy into life.

Color choices are deeply personal and fluid—you may notice shifts in your palette depending on your emotional state, life events, or even seasonal changes. If you suddenly start gravitating toward new colors, it might be worth reflecting on what has changed within you.

Solids vs. Prints: The Role of Pattern in Creative Expression

Beyond color, the way you use patterns in your fiber arts can also reflect something deeper. Do you prefer solid, monochrome pieces, or do you love intricate colorwork and busy patterns?

What Solid Colors Might Say About You:

You may crave simplicity and structure in a chaotic world.
You may appreciate clarity—focusing on one color at a time allows you to process emotions more cleanly.
If you find yourself using only neutrals, consider whether you’re playing it safe in your creativity or avoiding emotional expression.

What Variegated Yarn or Patterned Fabrics Might Say About You:

You may thrive on variety and movement—enjoying the excitement of changing colors and complex designs.
You might be someone who likes a challenge, preferring visually engaging projects.
If your patterns feel overwhelming, it could be a sign that you’re taking on too much at once in life and need to slow down.

By paying attention to both color and pattern choices, you can begin to recognize how your craft mirrors your inner world. Are you sticking to predictable colors and patterns because they feel safe? Are you craving more vibrancy and spontaneity? Bringing mindfulness to these choices allows you to use fiber arts as a tool for self-discovery and emotional well-being.

Using Color Intentionally: A Self-Reflection Exercise

Color is a powerful but often subconscious part of creativity. By bringing awareness to the colors you choose in your fiber arts projects, you can start to uncover deeper patterns in your emotions, preferences, and even your personal growth.

Step 1: Pause and Observe Your Color Choices

Before you begin your next project, or even as you’re selecting yarn, thread, or fabric, take a moment to reflect:
- Why am I drawn to this color today? Does it match my mood, or am I seeking a feeling that this color provides?
- How does this color make me feel when I look at it? Does it bring a sense of calm, excitement, nostalgia, or something else?
- Is this a color I always use, or is it new for me? If it’s familiar, does it feel comforting or repetitive? If it’s new, what inspired the change?
- If I challenged myself to use an unfamiliar color, what emotions might that bring up? Would I feel energized, uncomfortable, or inspired?
Step 2: Experiment with New Color Approaches

Once you’ve reflected on your usual tendencies, consider stepping outside of your comfort zone. Try one of these small but meaningful shifts:

Reverse Your Palette – If you always work with cool tones like blues and greens, try leaning into warm reds and oranges. Notice how it feels different to work with colors associated with energy and warmth.

Use a Color You Normally Avoid – If there’s a color you never reach for, introduce a small amount of it into your project. Pay attention to any emotions or memories it stirs up.

Create an Emotion-Based Color Palette – Instead of choosing colors based on aesthetics alone, select them based on how you want to feel. Do you need calm? Go for blues and greens. Want to boost your energy? Try yellows and oranges.

Work with Color Blindly – Without overthinking, grab yarn or fabric without looking, and challenge yourself to make something with whatever colors you pull. This removes the pressure of making “perfect” choices and lets intuition take over.

Journal About the Process – After finishing a project, write down what colors you used and why. Were they comforting, energizing, or surprising? Did your mood shift while working with them?

Color is deeply personal, and bringing more mindfulness to your choices can help you understand not just your artistic instincts but also your emotional landscape. By experimenting with different palettes and reflecting on what they mean to you, you can use fiber arts as a tool for self-discovery and emotional well-being.

Craft to Heal: Exploring the Meaning in Your Creative Choices

The way we create is deeply tied to how we feel, think, and move through the world. When we bring intention to our craft, we can use it as a mirror—helping us recognize patterns in our emotions, mental health, and self-expression.

Craft to Heal is a workshop series designed for fiber artists who want to deepen the emotional and psychological benefits of their craft. Through exercises like color exploration, mindful making, and creative self-reflection, we explore how fiber arts can be used not just for creativity—but for self-understanding and healing.

Want to learn more about using your craft as a tool for self-discovery? Click here to join Craft to Heal.

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March 7, 2025
The Link Between Creativity and Self-Care: How Crafting Nourishes Your Mind and Body

There was a time when I thought of self-care as something I should do—taking long baths, doing yoga, writing in a gratitude journal. And while those things can be wonderful, they never felt quite right for me.

But crafting? That was something I could always return to.

It took me a long time to recognize that my creativity was my self-care—that sitting down with yarn, thread, or fabric wasn’t just about making something useful or beautiful, but about taking care of myself in a way that felt natural, intuitive, and deeply fulfilling.

The rhythm of stitching calmed my nervous system.
The colors and textures brought me comfort.
The process of making gave me a space where I could just be, without pressure or expectation.

If you’ve ever felt like traditional self-care routines don’t quite work for you, or if you’re looking for a way to make self-care feel more natural and accessible, this post is for you. Let’s explore why creativity is such a powerful form of self-care—and how to embrace crafting as a practice of restoration, balance, and nourishment.

Explore This More in the Craft to Heal Workshop

The Science: Why Creativity Is an Essential Form of Self-Care

Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and face masks—it’s about regulating the nervous system, reducing stress, and giving yourself space to recharge.

Crafting supports self-care in multiple ways:

Creativity Reduces Stress and Overwhelm

Studies show that engaging in a creative activity for just 45 minutes significantly lowers cortisol levels (the stress hormone). When we focus on making, our brain shifts away from stress mode and into a more relaxed, engaged state.

Crafting Increases Feel-Good Chemicals in the Brain

Ever notice how you feel a little lighter after spending time making something? That’s because:

Creativity boosts dopamine production, which helps regulate mood and motivation.
The satisfaction of completing a project activates the brain’s reward system, reinforcing a sense of accomplishment and well-being.
Engaging in creativity can lower symptoms of anxiety and depression, providing a natural mood lift.

Hands-On Making Helps Regulate the Nervous System

Many self-care practices focus on slowing down and reconnecting with the body—and crafting does exactly that.

The repetitive motion of stitching, knitting, or crocheting has been shown to have a meditative effect, helping to reduce tension and anxiety.
The tactile experience of working with fiber provides sensory grounding, which can be especially helpful for those dealing with stress or emotional overwhelm.
The focused attention required for making helps bring the mind into the present, pulling us out of cycles of overthinking or worry.

Creativity is more than just a way to fill time—it’s a powerful way to care for yourself, mind and body.

How to Use Crafting as an Intentional Self-Care Practice

If you want to bring more intention into your creative time and use it as a true self-care practice, here are a few simple ways to start:

1. Make a “Self-Care Project” That’s Just for You

So often, we craft for a purpose—to gift something, to sell something, to complete a challenge. But what if you made something just because it nourished you?

Choose a project with no deadline, no pressure—just something you enjoy working on.
Pick colors, textures, and materials that feel comforting or joyful.
Let go of perfectionism—focus on how the process feels, rather than how the finished product looks.

The simple act of making something just for yourself is an act of care.

2. Pair Crafting with Other Restorative Habits

Crafting can be even more powerful when combined with other self-care practices. Try:

Sipping a warm drink while you stitch—creating a sensory moment of comfort.
Listening to calming music or an audiobook as you work—engaging both mind and body in relaxation.
Using aromatherapy (like lavender or chamomile essential oils) while you craft to deepen the sense of ease.
Crafting outside or near a window to connect with natural light and fresh air.

By layering small, nourishing habits together, you turn crafting into a complete self-care ritual.

3. Set Boundaries Around Your Creative Time

In a busy world, it’s easy to push aside creativity for more “productive” tasks. But when you treat crafting as a necessary part of your well-being, it becomes easier to prioritize.

Schedule dedicated time for making, even if it’s just 10–15 minutes a day.
Say no to distractions during creative time—turn off notifications, step away from obligations.
Give yourself permission to craft for the sake of enjoyment, not productivity.

Crafting isn’t a luxury. It’s a way to recharge, restore, and reconnect with yourself.

4. Use Crafting as a Check-In With Yourself

Your creativity can also be a mirror for how you’re feeling.

Next time you sit down to craft, ask yourself:

What colors am I drawn to today?
Am I feeling energized and inspired, or do I need something simple and repetitive?
How does this process make me feel in my body—calm, focused, relaxed?

Noticing these small details helps you understand what you need in the moment and how creativity can support you through it.

Explore This Deeper in Craft to Heal

If you love the idea of using crafting as a self-care tool, Craft to Heal was designed for you.

In our March 18th workshop, we’ll explore:

How fiber arts can be used for emotional regulation and stress relief
Creative exercises for turning your craft into a mindfulness practice
How to build a self-care crafting ritual that works for you

This is just one part of the Craft to Heal journey, and if you’re ready to experience creativity as more than just a hobby, I’d love to have you join us.

Want to learn more? Click here to join Craft to Heal.

Creativity as a Radical Act of Self-Care

We live in a world that tells us we should always be busy, always be productive, always be achieving something.

But crafting is a reminder that slowing down is valuable, that joy is important, that taking time for yourself is not selfish—it’s essential.

So the next time you pick up your project, remember:

Your craft is a way to care for yourself.
Your creativity is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Making time for your art is making time for your well-being.

Let yourself create. Not because you have to, but because you deserve to.

February 22, 2025
How to Overcome Creative Blocks and Rediscover Joy in Your Craft
I know what it’s like to stare at a half-finished project, feeling completely uninspired. To sit down with yarn or fabric or thread and feel… nothing. To want so badly to create but feel stuck—paralyzed by perfectionism, drained by exhaustion, disconnected from the spark that used to come so easily.

Creative blocks are real, and they are frustrating. I’ve been through them more times than I can count. But I’ve also learned something important: creativity isn’t gone forever—it’s just waiting for the right invitation to return.

That’s why I created Craft to Heal. Because creativity and healing are deeply connected, and when we explore our creative blocks with curiosity rather than judgment, we can find our way back—not just to making, but to joy in the process again.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, uninspired, or disconnected from your craft, I want you to know: there’s a way through this. And it starts with shifting how we approach creativity in the first place.

Explore this in more depth by joining my Craft to Heal workshop.

Why Creativity Feels Hard Sometimes

We often think of creativity as something that should come naturally—but the truth is, it’s a relationship. Like any relationship, there are ebbs and flows. Some days it feels effortless. Other days, it feels distant, challenging, or even impossible.

Here’s why creative blocks happen:

Perfectionism sneaks in. The voice that says, “It has to be perfect, or it’s not worth doing.” So we don’t even start.
Burnout drains us. We’ve been creating on autopilot, rushing through projects, or pushing ourselves too hard.
Comparison steals our joy. Social media makes it too easy to look at someone else’s work and feel like we’ll never measure up.
Life gets overwhelming. Stress, grief, transitions—they take up mental space, leaving little room for creative energy.
Fear of failure keeps us stuck. The project feels too big, too uncertain, too much. So we freeze.

The good news? None of this means you’re not creative anymore. It just means your creativity needs a different kind of care.

That’s what we focus on in Craft to Heal—learning how to nurture creativity so that it doesn’t just return, but feels joyful again.

How to Overcome Creative Blocks: What’s Worked for Me

I’ve tried a lot of things to move through creative blocks. Some helped, some didn’t, but through it all, I’ve learned that getting unstuck isn’t about forcing creativity—it’s about gently inviting it back.

Here are some of the most effective ways I’ve found to rekindle creativity and rediscover the joy of making.

1. Make Something Imperfect on Purpose

Perfectionism kills creativity. One of the best ways to break through it? Intentionally make something messy, flawed, or ridiculous.

If you quilt, stitch random scraps together without a pattern.
If you crochet, make the ugliest granny square you can.
If you embroider, freehand stitch without thinking.

The goal isn’t to create something beautiful—it’s to remind yourself that making is allowed to be playful and imperfect.

Craft to Heal has entire exercises dedicated to *breaking free from perfectionism and learning to embrace process over outcome.

2. Change Your Medium (Or Your Rules)

Sometimes, we get so caught up in how we usually create that we forget we can break our own rules. If you’re stuck, try shifting how you engage with your craft:

Use a different material. If you always knit with wool, try cotton. If you always quilt with bright colors, try neutrals.
Switch scales. Work smaller than usual—just a single square, a single row, a single stitch. Or go bigger—an oversized, loose, experimental piece.
Limit your choices. Give yourself a creative constraint, like using only scraps or working within a time limit.
Try a totally new craft. Sometimes, stepping into a different creative form resets the brain and allows ideas to flow again.

Inside Craft to Heal, we explore creative prompts and exercises designed to help you break out of routine and find fresh inspiration in your practice.

3. Engage in Micro-Creativity

When creativity feels overwhelming, shrink it down. Instead of waiting for the perfect time to dive into a big project, try micro-moments of making.

Set a timer for five minutes. Stitch one line. Crochet one row. Just start.
Take a themed photo walk. Snap pictures of textures, colors, or patterns that inspire you.
Make a “creativity scrapbook.” Collect scraps of yarn, sketches, fabric swatches—anything that sparks ideas.

The goal? Rebuild creative momentum by engaging in tiny, pressure-free acts of making.

Craft to Heal includes exercises in micro-creativity and mindfulness, showing you how to bring creative energy back in small, nourishing ways.

4. Create Without an End Goal

So much of the pressure we put on creativity comes from the need for an end product. What if, just for a while, you made something without a plan?
- Sew random stitches onto fabric with no final design in mind.
- Knit swatches in different stitches, just to see how they feel.
- Weave scraps together into something unfinished and abstract.
Removing the expectation of a polished final piece frees up creative energy and allows you to simply be present with the act of making.

Craft to Heal focuses on this kind of process-based creativity, helping you let go of expectations and rediscover the joy in simply creating for the sake of creating.

5. Connect With Other Creatives

Sometimes, the best way to reignite creative energy is to step outside of your own head and engage with others who understand.

Join a community where people share their creative struggles. (Craft to Heal is built for exactly this—space to talk about creativity in a way that’s honest, encouraging, and supportive.)
Talk to another maker. Ask them what they’re working on, what’s inspiring them, how they push through blocks.
Take a class, even if it’s outside your usual craft. Learning something new can often refresh your approach to your own creativity.

Creativity isn’t just something we do alone—it thrives in community.

That’s why Craft to Heal isn’t just about crafting. It’s about connection, inspiration, and learning how to support your creativity in a way that feels expansive and joyful.

Want to Explore This Deeper? Join Craft to Heal

Creative blocks don’t mean you’re not creative anymore. They just mean you need a new approach, a fresh perspective, a little bit of encouragement.

That’s exactly what Craft to Heal is about.

This year-long workshop series is designed to help you:

Reconnect with your creativity in a way that feels joyful and nourishing.
Move past perfectionism, fear, and creative stagnation.
Develop mindful making practices that bring ease and inspiration.
Find community with others who value creativity as a form of healing.

Want to learn more? Click here to join Craft to Heal.

Creativity Always Comes Back

If you’re in a creative rut right now, I want you to remember this: Creativity isn’t gone—it’s just waiting for you to meet it in a new way.

Try something small. Break your own rules. Make something imperfect on purpose.

And most importantly—keep going.

Because joy in creativity isn’t lost. It’s still there, waiting for you to find your way back to it.

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February 20, 2025
Using Creativity for Self-Discovery: What Your Crafting Practice Reveals About You
I have always believed that crafting is more than just making—it’s a form of self-exploration. The colors we choose, the textures we’re drawn to, the patterns we return to again and again—all of these things tell a story about who we are, where we’ve been, and even where we’re going.

When I first started crafting with intention, I wasn’t just making things—I was uncovering parts of myself. Through each stitch, each project, I found clues about my emotions, my inner world, and my personal growth. I came to understand that using creativity for self-discovery is one of the most powerful ways we can connect with ourselves.

Whether you crochet, knit, quilt, embroider, or engage in any form of fiber arts, your creative practice holds deeper meaning than you might realize. It can reveal:

Your emotional patterns
Your values and priorities
The way you process challenges
Your unique creative voice

By approaching our craft with curiosity and reflection, we can use it as a tool for healing through creativity, emotional well-being, and self-awareness.

Explore this in more depth by joining my Craft to Heal workshop.

How Your Crafting Practice Reflects Your Inner World

Every choice you make in your creative work is a reflection of something deeper. When we slow down and pay attention, we can begin to see patterns emerge in our creative decisions, habits, and emotions.

1. The Colors You Choose
- Do you naturally gravitate toward bright, bold colors or more subdued, neutral tones?
- Have your color preferences shifted over time? What might that say about your emotional state or personal growth?
- If you’re feeling stuck, what happens when you intentionally choose colors outside of your comfort zone?
2. The Textures & Materials That Speak to You
- Do you prefer soft, flowing yarns or structured, durable fabrics?
- Are you drawn to the comfort of familiar materials or the excitement of experimenting with new ones?
- How does texture influence your sense of grounding, safety, or expression?
3. The Patterns & Techniques You Keep Coming Back To
- Do you repeat the same types of projects?
- Are you drawn to complex, intricate designs or simple, meditative patterns?
- Do you hesitate to try something new because of perfectionism or fear of failure?
4. The Emotional State That Shows Up in Your Work
- Have you ever noticed that your tension changes when you’re stressed or anxious?
- Do you turn to certain types of projects when you need comfort or clarity?
- What does your craft teach you about how you process emotions?
Journaling & Reflection: Unlocking the Messages in Your Creativity

Bringing awareness to your creative practice is the first step. Journaling alongside your crafting can deepen this self-discovery process. Here are some prompts to explore:

Before You Start Crafting:

What emotions am I bringing into this creative space today?
Why did I choose this particular project, color, or technique?
What do I need from my craft right now—comfort, challenge, release?

During the Process:

What sensations do I notice in my body as I create?
Am I rushing through this, or am I present with each stitch?
Do any thoughts, memories, or emotions come up as I work?

After You Finish:

How do I feel now compared to when I started?
What did I learn about myself through this process?
If my project could “speak,” what message would it have for me?

By asking these questions, you turn your crafting into a conversation with yourself.

Ways to Deepen Your Creative Self-Discovery

If you want to go further in using creativity for self-exploration, try these practices:

Make Intuitively: Set aside structured patterns and create freely. Let your hands guide the process without worrying about the outcome.
Create a Visual Journal: Combine fabric scraps, yarn, and thread with written reflections. Let your creativity and emotions intertwine on the page.
Craft Through Transitions: If you’re experiencing change—big or small—dedicate a project to that period of your life. Let it hold the emotions of that transition.
Craft with Intention: Before you begin a project, set a word, theme, or affirmation to weave into your work.
Use Different Mediums: If you usually crochet, try embroidery. If you usually quilt, try weaving. See what different crafts reveal about you.

Explore This Deeper in Craft to Heal

Self-discovery through creativity is an ongoing process, one that deepens over time. If you want to explore this practice in a structured, supportive way, Craft to Heal is designed for exactly that.

This year-long workshop series guides you through themes like:

Using creativity for emotional well-being
Journaling and reflection alongside crafting
Exploring personal growth through fiber arts
Crafting as a tool for processing life’s transitions

Each month, we dive into new ways to use your creativity as a mirror, a meditation, and a means of self-understanding.

You can join anytime, and the first class on March 18, 2025 is only $5.

Want to learn more? Click here to join Craft to Heal.

Crafting as a Journey of Self-Understanding

Every time you sit down with your craft, you are engaging in a quiet act of self-discovery.

Your hands tell stories.
Your stitches hold emotions.
Your projects reflect who you are.

When we approach our creativity with curiosity instead of expectation, we begin to see that the process itself is revealing something important.

Next time you pick up your work, take a moment to pause and notice:
What is this project telling me?
How does it reflect where I am right now?
What do I want to explore through my creativity next?

Because craft isn’t just about making—it’s about understanding yourself, one stitch at a time.
February 17, 2025