With things being as emotional and frustrating as they have been lately, I came across a small arsenal of songs that have made my morning that much better. Thanks to The Hype Machine, I now have a plethora of James Bond theme songs in my mp3 collection as well as a newfound appreciation of Dame Shirley Bassey.

As a child, Bond’s exploits always had me wishing that I would grow up to be a spy- not so much for the killing, but for the gadgets and the travel. Seriously, his frequent flier miles must be astounding as well as his vacation package. Via the passage of time, however, it seems I have more in common with Bassey than Bond, and truth be told, she does have a flashier wardrobe.

The problem with wanting to be either a spy or a diva is that it’s a lonely road- my main hitch with these career options. I need community and the ability to connect and exchange ideas with them frequently. And it is from within the craft community that I have found such. Lately, I have found my inbox full of queries and advice and love and courage, which is more than I ever expected to have discovered when I started crafting several years ago.

I never would have guessed then, that in sharing my thoughts and ideas and questions regarding my own journey into discovering and awakening my creativity would have introduced me to such exquisite individuals. I’m still not sure how much of it was sheer luck and how much was right timing and a willingness to give in to my creative side.

The emails and submissions I have been getting regarding the Crafter Documentary Project have invigorated me anew as I continue to meet people who are challenging themselves as well as others in vowing to listen to their inner selves. It is my hope that the map I am working on that will connect all these crafters and makers will reinforce the notion that even when you may think it is a lonely road to go….you are never alone.

You just might have to readjust your mode of thinking and look around at the wealth of individuals who are bravely listening to their creativity and reconnecting with their childhood dreams. Because more than just a reconnection it’s also a reappreciation for the past….a remembering of a time when you used your hands to create with wool and thread instead of steel or plastic. As Dame Shirley reminds us, “it’s all just a little bit of history repeating.”