In the May issue of Rushcliffe Local News, we asked readers to tell us about your creative endeavours born out of lockdown, here’s what a two of you said:
Cousin creations
Two cousins who live in Bingham have inspired each other to start a creative business.
Chrissie and Diane, who are both in their 70s, have started up C & D Creations. Chrissie specialises in vintage items and Diane makes Gnomes for your Home or occasions.
Chrissie said, “I was led into this by Diane, my cousin, who always has been very talented in all crafts, and I found I just loved being creative, and I love vintage creations. We have not been able to sell anything yet due to covid. We are raring to go, we are now looking into being able to stand at craft fairs.”
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- Chrissie’s vintage items
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- Diane’s Gnomes for your home
Becoming a poet
Teika Marija Smits from Keyworth used the time in lockdown to begin writing poetry, she said, “As I’ve worked from home for many years, the lockdowns didn’t impact my life as much as they did for others. Still, overnight, I became a homeschool teacher, and my days were suddenly filled with lessons, anxiety and overwhelm.
“In need of an escape from what was going on in the world, I built some writing time into my daily routine. Although only a snippet of each day, I looked forward to it and any progress I made felt like a real win.
“Indeed, in that time, I finished writing and editing my debut poetry pamphlet, entitled Russian Doll, which was picked up by Indigo Dreams Publishing, a prestigious small press based in Devon. The poems of Russian Doll tell a story of metamorphosis – of growing into adulthood and then becoming a mother. Many of the poems in my pamphlet are about everyday things – like watching my daughter learn to swim at the Keyworth Leisure Centre, or playing Minecraft with my son! If anyone’s ever considered trying their hand at creative writing, I’d urge them to give it a go. It can be such a relaxing, and empowering, process. It requires very few tools and there are no age restrictions. You can write about anything you like. Inspiration is all about us, we have just to invite it into our lives.”
Russian Doll can be bought directly from Indigo Dreams Publishing, and is available at most online book retailers. You can find out more about Teika’s writing at: www.teikamarijasmits.com
If you would like to share your lockdown creations and you live in Beeston, Clifton, Calverton, Burton Joyce, West Bridgford, East Leake or Rushcliffe, and the surrounding areas, please send details and photographs to [email protected]