Mess Maker

The first time I took a creative class, I was seeking an outlet for the part of me that held a deep love for visual beauty, but what I discovered was so much more. I found a place to unleash my own creativity, and a thriving community of other makers.

Immersed in looping ink into graceful letters, I felt a profound sense of connection to my own creative flow and to the imaginative people around me. From that first calligraphy class, I knew that creative mentorship would become an anchoring force in my life.

Since then, I’ve tried my hand at more than 15 different creative trades, learning from masterful creators like calligrapher and designer Lauren Essl and fiber artist Maryanne Moodie. Whatever the craft, the benefits are immense: I get to reserve hours for exploring the depths of my imagination, getting my hands dirty, bonding with other makers, and sinking into a meditative, mindful state.

I used to believe that my profession was separate from this side of my life, but the more I pursued the call to be a maker, the more I understood that it was thoroughly changing me—and as a result, changing the way I approached my work. It’s taught me how to foster a community of present listening, freedom of expression, flexibility, and—of course—creativity.