How I did it: Ever since I started working with the adolescent patients at the hospital, I've learned so many ways to be creative.  For instance, I had to create/plan games and team building group activities as part of their treatment program, because they need other alternatives to lead a healthy life instead of resorting to drugs and alcohol.  Another creative opportunity I always look forward to is when it's arts & crafts time as I get to work on various arts & crafts projects alongside them.  It's always a blast!

Lessons & tips: 1.  There are no wrong ways to make arts & crafts.  It's a form of your expression, and for some individuals, a form of therapy.  As long as what you're creating has some significance to you, that's what counts!

2.  Keep at it, practice, and experiment!  The more you engage yourself in arts & crafts, the more you'll surprise yourself with the many things you can do with whatever materials you have at hand.  For instance, I incorporated my poetry into collages, mandalas, and even on "magnetic" boards.  The possibilities are endless.

3.  Learn something new, and don't be shy about it!  For me, I've learned how to make sand art.  I've learned how to make cute animals out of pom-poms, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners (which I have yet to finish).  I've learned the art and significance of mandalas.  My next thing on the list is looming!  Now somebody has to teach me how to do that!

4.  The most important thing is to have fun.  Maybe arts & crafts isn't for everybody, but I can tell you that art is embedded in all aspects of life.  For example, chunky cell phones are now replaced with the sleek look of iPhones or Blackberries.  It takes a creative mind (or several minds) to design this!  It's the same with the architecture of buildings and the art of flower arrangements.  Nevertheless, the point is to find something that matters to you and is suited to your tastes.  Art really does magnify creativity and passion in life.  So, I can't wait to hear about your artistic endeavors!

Resources: Hospital (my work), various poetry sites, various sites dedicated to arts & crafts, writing, cooking, etc., and Livejournal.

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Mar 08, 2009, 10:45AM PDT | 0 comments | 3 cheers