but I promise you, it’s not.
Ask someone you love to buy you something that
you will use regularly in your creative life.
You and I both know that there are plenty of times when people want to buy you things.
Just give them a nudge in the right direction.Maybe they buy you a good eraser.
I consider any eraser that’s NOT at the end of a pencil a good eraser.Maybe they buy you Sharpies for your drawings,
or for signing your books,
or doodling on post-its.
Maybe they buy you that fancy notebook
that you’re sort of afraid of,
but you know you’ll use it if someone else buys it for you.
Maybe they buy you the fancy watercolors,
or Scrivener so you can organize your writing better,
or Photoshop Elements
because you can’t really fathom paying monthly for the rest of your life for Adobe Cloud.
Ok, things just sort of got real there.
ANYWAY, you know what you need.
Let them buy it for you.
Why?
Because you will
think about them
EVERY TIME you use it,
and be grateful.
Because my handsome husband, Danny,
bought be a light box for Christmas,
and then ALL THE MICRON MARKERS for my birthday
(in April)Just the other day I had some extra time
and decided to get working on a project
I’ve put off for way too long:
Notes of Cheer.They are little notes with inspiring messages
that you can leave around for people to find.
I make them all the time individually,
but I really wanted to make more printable versions.
I sketched my designs out,
then traced them
with the lightbox.
As I was tracing them,
I needed different markers for different thicknesses.
I opened my drawer
where they are organized for easy access,
and picked through,
using 7 or 8 markers by the time I was done.
The whole time I’m tracing,
I’m thinking:
“Don’t smudge, be careful, go slow…”
AND
“I am so grateful that Danny bought me this stuff
because I have just what I need.
Man, he is just the best.
I love how much he supports what I do.”
Of course it’s great to feel grateful for people,
but this is a double bonus:
It actually makes me grateful for him WHILE I’m working on my creative project.
I don’t know about you,
but when I’m in the zone,
I’m in the zone.
Sometimes I forget to eat.
More than once (let’s be honest, EVERYDAY)
I am guilty of saying, “mmmhmmm, yeah,”
or something similar when Danny says something to me.
I am making stuff.
I just CANNOT me pulled away from that.
So then I feel guilty about being so distant.
(Note to concerned people: We do have plenty of hangout time when I’m NOT creating!)
Using things that he bought for me
reminds me,
in that creative moment,
that we are a team,
that he loves me,
that he supports me.
But here’s the thing:
it works even when it’s not the great guy.
She sends me stamps back!
When I’m putting a stamp on a letter,
usually an envelope that I just spend 10 or 20 minutes decorating,
I smile and have a little moment of gratitude for her whenever I use one.I feel the same way when a friend buys a book for me they know I’ll like too!So you should do it!
Here are some steps:
- Be vocal about what you need.
People want to help you. Ask for the things you need and you may just get them! - Tell those people you think of them when you use the thing they buy you.
You can write a thank you note
(I am ALL about that!)
or just casually mention it to them.
Either one works.
I’m sure they’ll be happy you love your gift! - If you know someone who is a creative, ASK THEM
what tools they need and see if you can support them that way. - If all else fails, just take your friend to a good art store.
I guarantee that they will not be able to leave without wanting something!
Or if art is not the thing, a good (fill in the blank) store.
SO GOOD.I hope you have a GREAT week!
Until next time, remember:
Ask someone you love to buy you something that
you will use regularly in your creative life.
KE
P.S. This is adapted from a newsletter I sent out this time last week! Join my newsletter here to get the scoop before it’s on the blog, and maybe win some tea!
