In this issue...

• Letting Go
• Upcoming Events
• Instructor Spotlight
• Upcoming Workshops
• Creativity Circles

My husband just finished his fall semester at UNC Asheville. For most people, it’s cause for celebration. For me, however, it means he’s one semester closer to graduating—one semester closer to entering the “What’s next?” phase of his retirement. And that’s something I’m not really looking forward to.

I can tell that he’s a little concerned about how he’ll spend his time post-graduation, but the person who’s really worried is me. Like most women, I’m a caretaker, and, if my husband is struggling, so am I.  While I know I can’t take responsibility for another person’s happiness, it’s SO hard, especially when that someone is a loved one.

I’m facing a similar challenge with Purple Crayon. Funny how the universe is like that: throwing you the same challenge, over and over again, in hopes that, one day, you might “get” it!

When I opened Purple Crayon, I thought that, if I provided affordable space and a welcoming, non-judgmental environment, women who truly wanted to create but didn’t have a conducive place to do it would do it. Instead, I found that providing a great place to create does get women to start (or restart) making art, but it’s not enough to KEEP them making art.

With a few exceptions, members who stay at the studio NEED to make art; their habit has already been formed. If Purple Crayon weren’t there, these women would find a way to create, even if it means doing it at their kitchen table, in their living room, etc.

I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised. Recent studies show that, if you want to develop a new behavior, it will take at least two months of consistent practice. That’s two months of prioritizing making art over doing housework, running errands, taking care of children, or whatever gets in the way of one’s creative time, and that’s hard—unless you need to do it to thrive.

It pains me to see women who have had the courage to join PC, hoping to rekindle their passion to create, only to leave the studio a few months later thinking that they failed. Of course, they haven’t failed; they’re just not ready—and that’s OK. I can only hope that they’ll try again at some point, when the need to create outweighs the discomfort of not creating, if it ever does.

And I have to believe that they can find their way, on their own, because, like my husband's situation, it's their life, not mine.

My wish for you in 2020 is that you’ll accept and embrace wherever you are in your creative journey. If you know that you need to create, I hope that you’ll find a place that inspires you, whether it’s in your home, at Purple Crayon, or at some other studio. On the other hand, if you know that you want to make art, but you don’t have the time or desire to do it on a regular basis—no matter how hard you try—I hope that you’ll consider taking a creative workshop from time-to-time, and that you’ll consider that just as big a win as committing to a regular practice. Either way, Purple Crayon is ready to meet you wherever you are!

For those of you who are ready to commit to making art regularly, now would be a great time to join the studio. I haven't raised membership rates since we opened in 2017, and I'm planning to make a modest increase in February. If you complete your registration before January 31st, however, you'll be grandfathered into 2017 pricing. Please contact us now to lock in your rate (and reserve a space)!

For those of you who aren’t quite ready to commit to membership—or never were, but occasionally want to make stuff—we’ve got lots of fun workshops coming up, including several first-time offers: Introduction to Crochet (starting 1/9), Art Journaling (1/11), Introduction to Quilling (1/18), Silk Painting Using Resists (2/8), and Introduction to Wet Felting (2/29)!

I look forward to creating with you! Happy New Year! 

​—​​​​​​Pam Robbins, Owner

Upcoming Events

Instructor Spotlight

Upcoming Workshops

Creativity Circles