Here is to a new decade! I think about where I was ten years ago and how far I have come emotionally, spiritually, and professionally - it can be overwhelming how much can change in 10 years!
In the new year we will be able to say "Twenty-" instead of "Two thousand and-" which is pretty exciting. I hope to advance professionally as a hoop dance performer, an Etsy seller, and a teacher - but I'm also taking this time to focus on growing myself as a supportive and devoted friend, partner, and family member. I see a lot of positive personal growth in the next year and decade!
So to all friends and newcomers reading my blog, I wish you the happiest of New Years and New Decades filled with your own personal growth and successes.
Much Love!
Farren Square
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
How schools are killing creativity.
The Second installment of the TED Tuesday Feature! To see the first TED Tuesday, Click Here!
All children have talents, and we squander them pretty ruthlessly. How proud are children of their creativity, how quick they are to show off their work without fear of judgment. What are we doing to them that by the time they reach adulthood, the majority of that creativity is flat and uninspired and the majority of adults are too anxious to share their true creative thoughts and ideas?
Most of us went through the Education System, and we all have an opinion on how it may have made us into the person we are now. As a teacher, I maintain the philosophy that children need more opportunities to be creative critical thinkers and have more questions asked of THEM, instead of being told what is what. I agree that creativity is as important as literacy - it is a vital skill to hold.
Here is an outstanding video about how schools are killing creativity and what we need to do about it. (19min21sec)
I've seen it in the classrooms everywhere. Art projects that have step by step instruction manuals and large expectations. Children who are told what to think instead of asked their for their own synthesis of information.
Picasso said that all children are born artists - the problem is to remain an artist as we grow up. Is creativity literally educated out of us?
All children have talents, and we squander them pretty ruthlessly. How proud are children of their creativity, how quick they are to show off their work without fear of judgment. What are we doing to them that by the time they reach adulthood, the majority of that creativity is flat and uninspired and the majority of adults are too anxious to share their true creative thoughts and ideas?
Most of us went through the Education System, and we all have an opinion on how it may have made us into the person we are now. As a teacher, I maintain the philosophy that children need more opportunities to be creative critical thinkers and have more questions asked of THEM, instead of being told what is what. I agree that creativity is as important as literacy - it is a vital skill to hold.
Here is an outstanding video about how schools are killing creativity and what we need to do about it. (19min21sec)
I've seen it in the classrooms everywhere. Art projects that have step by step instruction manuals and large expectations. Children who are told what to think instead of asked their for their own synthesis of information.
Picasso said that all children are born artists - the problem is to remain an artist as we grow up. Is creativity literally educated out of us?
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
New Feature! TED Tuesdays
I'm the kind of person that separates my creations into two sections: Table Crafts and Couch Crafts. Most of my creations pull from a little of column A and a little of column B. Thus, I started poking around the Internet for interesting things to watch during "Couch Craft" time and re-discovered my love of TED talks. Many of them are incredibly thought provoking and inspiring on many different topics, and because they are just speeches - it is easy to craft while you listen.
I have decided to feature a new TED talk every Tuesday in the hopes of sharing thoughts and ideas, inspiring others, and hopefully inciting some interesting discussion on my blog. I would love to have you chime in with your opinion on the topics I post.
So lean back, grab your knitting or stitching or oil pastels and join me for a TED talk, maybe it will get you thinking.
This week's topic is Creativity. Does the confidence to create come naturally to you? Or do you work to overcome those little voices that can sometimes bring us down?
Author of Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert gave this TED talk on Genius, on Nurturing Creativity, and on overcoming fear - the fear of failure. Can we work to eliminate those insecurities by removing our ego from the equation? Listen to one person's theory on how (19min32sec):
Why is it that artists and creative people everywhere are linked to a history of mental or emotional suffering? Will Artistry almost always lead to anguish? Have you brushed up against 'that thing' that makes you feel like you might just have a genius standing over your shoulder? Sometimes I feel like ideas coming knocking on my head, asking me to make them real.
I have decided to feature a new TED talk every Tuesday in the hopes of sharing thoughts and ideas, inspiring others, and hopefully inciting some interesting discussion on my blog. I would love to have you chime in with your opinion on the topics I post.
So lean back, grab your knitting or stitching or oil pastels and join me for a TED talk, maybe it will get you thinking.
This week's topic is Creativity. Does the confidence to create come naturally to you? Or do you work to overcome those little voices that can sometimes bring us down?
Author of Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert gave this TED talk on Genius, on Nurturing Creativity, and on overcoming fear - the fear of failure. Can we work to eliminate those insecurities by removing our ego from the equation? Listen to one person's theory on how (19min32sec):
Why is it that artists and creative people everywhere are linked to a history of mental or emotional suffering? Will Artistry almost always lead to anguish? Have you brushed up against 'that thing' that makes you feel like you might just have a genius standing over your shoulder? Sometimes I feel like ideas coming knocking on my head, asking me to make them real.
While watching this TED talk, I worked on this:
Did you work on anything you'd like to share?
Did you work on anything you'd like to share?
Monday, December 14, 2009
Giant crocheted Raccoon Mario rug
If anything has ever inspired me to re-learn how to crochet, this is it. This is beautiful:
Learn More Here.
Learn More Here.
Monday, December 7, 2009
So exciting!!
I'm in the middle of organizing my cozy craft corner - so cozy that it's 4ft by 4ft - when I had to drop everything and share the exciting news:
I've been featured in my very first treasury! Click here to see all the pretty things!" Thanks for helping, guys, clicking the link and even leaving comments will help bump the entire group closer to the front page so that it will get more interest.
I've never been featured in a treasury before, so this was way to exciting and I just had to share.
I'm also pretty excited to share my newly organized craft corner, once I'm finished. I've incorporated a couple vintage pieces to the design and some interesting organization techniques and ideas, and I'm really looking forward to having all my supplies super handy.
Many Bisous,
Farren Square
I've been featured in my very first treasury! Click here to see all the pretty things!" Thanks for helping, guys, clicking the link and even leaving comments will help bump the entire group closer to the front page so that it will get more interest.
I've never been featured in a treasury before, so this was way to exciting and I just had to share.
I'm also pretty excited to share my newly organized craft corner, once I'm finished. I've incorporated a couple vintage pieces to the design and some interesting organization techniques and ideas, and I'm really looking forward to having all my supplies super handy.
Many Bisous,
Farren Square
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