Tis the season for creativity

I love words, art, creativity, and people who embody all of these at once.

Tis the season for buying gifts, so let me be so bold to steer you to a few of my loveys who fit that description AND have great big hearts, warm humor, and of course, talent!

I “met” Janice MacLeod many years ago via her book Paris Letters and I then subscribed to her Paris Letters mail club. Janice is the OG of the snail mail club thing. She still has Paris Letters, and does a new one called Cottage Letters. Find her books, art, and things here.

Secret confession: I actually pondered someday doing a snail mail club thing myself. But that has not happened. Prolly never will.

So I was tickled when I got a note from my friend Elizabeth Blue that she has started her https://heartmadecardclub.com/!

Blue and I met a decade ago or so at some biz mastermind thing in New York or Atlanta or somewhere, and have stayed in touch off and on. Blue did the nomad thing for years, with a long stay in Bali, and her one-woman show AM I BLUE made it all the way to Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland! We met up in Paris a few years ago with our fellas and had a perfect Amelie adventure.

She is now living in Maui, off-grid, farming (and painting and writing) with her partner, and their chickens. Order from Blue and tell her Kelly sent you!

My local funny gal pal right here in Illinois, Julie Ostrow, just opened her etsy shop. Julie is an exceptional speaker, an improv master, the North American Laughing Champion (!!), and a sweet talented gifted artist. Julie is just getting started in this new arena of her life so buy a little something and cheer her on! Her etsy shop JulieOStudios

A new friend in our orbit has just started her etsy shop too! Check out Annette’s intergalactic and angel art. Annette is in Wisconsin, gifted us a magical piece, an original before she started making prints. She is growing her collection at Just A Dreamer Art Shop.

Anyone who has an etsy shop, I salute you. Anyone who has put themselves out there in the world of makers, I honor you.

Our dear friend Lisa Loudin, now a California resident, is a shining example of following your heart, taking the risk and living your dream life. Lisa’s pen and ink drawings are intricate and channeled and full of surprise messages every time you look again. She has come a long way in her journey. We have one of the first pieces she ever did, and now she is in galleries across the Palm Springs area. Find Lisa here. (When you look at Lisa's art, zoom in close. There are words and messages hidden in all those tree branches!)

Our friends Jason and Kim Kotecki have been at it for two decades, bringing with and whimsy to the seriousness of the so-called adult world. They do A LOT. Check out their incredible offerings here.

I could go on and on, but you get the idea. I imagine you know people who are putting their creativity into the world. Let’s support them. When we do, IT MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER.

(And if you are someone putting your heart into the world, send me your links!)

Much love,

In joy, 

Kelly

"Creativity is the way I share my soul with the world."

~Brene Brown