I loved reading an article from The Guardian back in January called 'Finding time for creativity will give you respite from worries'. It expressed so much of why Made Unique exists - the potential of creativity to grow confidence, fight isolation, allow self-expression, create space away from stress, boost health, calm worries, and bring a sense of achievement and peace... not to mention a whole lot of enjoyment. 

"Art is widely recognised as a helpful way to boost wellbeing in so many different ways: to aid communication, to alleviate depression, to uncover hidden meanings and conflicts, but it doesn’t have to be a big cathartic expression of inner turmoil to have healing benefits. Even a small amount of creativity is good for us."

I was particularly struck by some research that said that 'getting to grips with something new and creative is good for our mental health regardless of skill level' and reflected back on how much I'd enjoyed an online workshop in December when I made mini origami Christmas trees. The process of learning something new felt so healthy and fun.

Free Tutorials
A great start is to follow an online tutorial that uses items you have around the house. You can start like me with a little origami 'minimake' from OrigamiEst - the older projects are on Est's Instagram but recently she's switched to YouTube and you can fold along live each Sunday evening. 

I've been so enjoying our little pot of irises this year and was delighted to find this little tutorial inspired by VanGogh's paintings of irises - messy painting for grown ups with a gorgeous result! There are lots of other brilliant tutorials on the isolationartschool instagram - quirky kids projects, drawing and painting tips, inventive ways to replicate studio processes at home (CANNOT WAIT to try the car printing press) and videos of artists at work that are fascinating in themselves but also include some wonderful ideas like Tim Noble's shadow sculptures from recycling.

If you have a bit longer then I'd recommend taking the time to create an artwork alongside an artist. You might remember me enjoying the Royal Albert Hall draw-along with Charlie Mackesy back in July and more recently I found it really calming but fascinating to do this mindful cut-out workshop with Sharon Walters, hosted by the Tate (my first cut-out collage is the image above). Whilst creating her own piece and guiding us to create ours, the artist discusses the importance of representation and how we see ourselves, weaving in reflections on the work of the brilliant artist Lubaina Himid.

Workshops
To really get stuck into a new craft it's a great idea to join a workshop where materials are sent to you by post and you join in with others to learn and enjoy together. Options include this brush lettering workshop, this range of workshops using fabric and recycled materials, or Est's amazing range of origami workshops including clocks, flowers wall art and more.

Workshops can also be a really lovely gift (and don't include the challenge of getting something in the post in time!), or could be a way to celebrate an occasion - Est offers hen parties and the wonderful Jenny Baker from Grizzlibear offers all sorts of possibilities from birthday parties, to standalone kits, to zoom workshops you can join in with. One I'd love to do when our kids are a bit older gives you the opportunity to create a fabric wrap decorated with special memories that can then be used instead of disposable wrapping paper for all your special gift-giving occasions!

Whether you'd appreciate an idea for a last minute Mother's Day present, or would just like a fun way to brighten up the house, flowers made from old plastic bottles could be the project for you! There are some really simple tutorials out there and some incredibly complex ones - I've saved a little range in the Plastic Bottle Flowers section of our new Upcyling Projects Pinterest board.

But I have to say I didn't follow any tutorials in the end - I just cut off the tops and bottoms of some bottles and had a play! The brighter decorations were done with Posca paint pens but we also had fun with some permanent markers and with some kids' paint. I thought about trying to make some kind of bouquet using pipe cleaners or floristry wire, then decided they might be fun additions to the mud kitchen in the garden... 

We have some beautiful new cards in the shop from one of our 'unique creatives', the image on the left above is one of two designs, printed from the artists' original paintings. They're wonderfully vibrant and available individually or in a range of bundles - they are blank inside and appropriate for all sorts of occasions so are brilliant to have on hand ready to brighten someone's day!

The image on the right is from another of our wonderful makers, Abiy, and is available in her Etsy shop alongside some gorgeous sunflower cards. We're very excited to say that a number of Abiy's bookmarks, coasters and prints will also be available on Abiy's Made Unique page any day now...

Lastly we're offering anyone who has made it all the way to the bottom of this epic email, a special offer!! If you order any of the book page flower items below  before 12 noon tomorrow (Friday 12th March) - we'll put it in first class post for no extra cost! We can't guarantee items will make it by Sunday but if you did want us to send one of these as a gift to your mum or another mum-like-special-person, then we'll do our best. And we'll happily add in a handwritten note with whatever message you add to the comments box when checking out.