I’m blessed with creative girlfriends. They love knitting, scrapbooking, painting, jewelry-making and anything involving glitter and glue! They have artsy homes and wear funky clothing. I’ve seen certifiable creative women who dress only in their signature color. My friend Cindy loves purple – A LOT. She wears purple clothing, jewelry and even purple mascara – now that’s creative in my opinion! (And how can I not think of her when I see anything purple while shopping?!)

Some of my girlfriends don’t consider themselves ‘creative.’ They are more conservative with their color, clothing or artistic selections. They have no interest in actually making something ‘crafty’ – they’d much rather just buy things as they come in the stores. Some quietly moan if I mention a craft I’ve been working on, like I’m going to force them to sit there and listen to every type of bead that I added to my last jewelry project or even make them participate with me in making greeting cards or embellished clothing. (Rarely do I make them craft with me but, I admit, it has happened! However, there have been a few who have found new hobbies based on those experiences with pottery, jewelry or wire-work crafting!)

I hate to differ with these fabulous “non-creative” friends of mine, but I firmly believe that ALL women are creative. We just have to find the area of our creative interest and to allow ourselves the freedom to try new things. That’s where girlfriends definitely come in!

One of the best things about having girlfriends is how we inspire each other – and even influence each other’s creativity. I might not have an interest in gourmet cooking, but my friend Terri can share a recipe with me that will make it look like I know what I’m doing! My girlfriend Katie, designs gorgeous jewelry items and always inspires me to craft a unique necklace or earrings for whenever we hang out together. The beautiful knitted pieces my friend Dana made for me, makes me want to go get some yarn and start creating.

Why is creativity important? Well, if we’re creative in one area of our life, we often can apply these skills to creativity solving problems, improving our quality of life and even influencing our children to try new hobbies. And, focusing on a creative hobby, like photography, writing or sewing calms our mind and stress, as well as rejuvenates us to follow our bliss and reach for our dreams.

How can you be more creative? Spend time with your girlfriends! Take a class or try a new hobby together. Help each other learn a new skill or work on a creative project together – like a quilt or scrapbook. Give your girlfriend a creative book and the materials to make some of the projects. Shop together at a craft, beading or book store for a fun new hobby then set aside one night a week to work together.

Another bonus: We can be creative in giving girlfriend gifts and in finding creative ways to be a better friend.

Life IS better with girlfriends! Try creating and learning together. You’ll not only make some great crafty creations, but you’ll also make fabulous female friends along the way!

Meet some of my creative girlfriends:

• Katie Hacker – beader, author, host of “Beads, Baubles and Jewels” – great bead show on PBS
• Jill MacKay – author, beader and designer of amazing beading products
• Margot Potter – ‘impatient beader’ and crafter, author and QVC presenter

And here are some creative girlfriend blogs:

• Creative Girlfriend Inspiration – don’t you love when your girlfriends inspire you?!
• Friday Top Ten – Creative / Craft websites you can recommend to a girlfriend
• Handmade girlfriend gifts – be a better friend, make her a special gift from you!

p.s. And … be a friend to Girlfriendology! Share this blog with your girlfriends by clicking the Facebook LIKE button below and also, when you’re on our Facebook page, SHARE IT WITH YOUR GIRLFRIENDS. (Please?!) Thanks girlfriend!

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Tags: be a better friend, creative girlfriends, female friendship, spend time

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 9th, 2010 at 4:39 pm and is filed under Be a Better FRIEND, Crafts and Creativity, Girlfriend Gifts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.