Creative Family Series | Small + Friendly
by Jennifer Cooper, posted on January 23rd, 2013 in creative family series
Today, I’m excited to introduce to one of the loveliest people on the internet: Carla Wiking of Small + Friendly. You may have seen her work on Cup of Jo or Apartment Therapy, like here, here, and here.
She’s wildly creative and true DIYer. Plus, she has a heart of gold. That’s my kind of woman.
How would you define creativity?
I love the Albert Einstein quote, “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” I think of creativity as an outlet for my sometimes over-active mind. It’s about making something, anything, with your own hands and from your own ideas.
Have you always considered yourself creative?
Crafty, yes. Artistic, no. So creative, maybe? I was always the kid who wanted the bead loom for Christmas and yet never considered myself an artist. I used to separate making things and artistic expression. My opinion has since changed. I love creating functional items: food, clothing, etc., and I have realized that using creativity to make such things is an art.
How do you nurture your own creativity?
I nurture it by making time for it. Creating has priority over cleaning in my house.
Did you grow up in a creative household? If so, what were some of the ways your parents nurtured your creativity and curiosity?
Both of my parents are quite artistic. There was lots of drawing, storytelling, dancing, and joking in my house growing up. I always got that bead loom I wanted, and my mom wore my creations proudly. They gave me confidence in my abilities, they never missed a performance (no matter how small my role) or cast a misshapen vase aside. They made me feel special.
How do you hope to nurture it in your children?
I hope to expose my son to as many different mediums for creativity as possible.
Music, art, woodworking, you name it. I also strive to foster a certain level of confidence is his ability to create and imagine. I try to give him lots of time and space to explore. My husband and I also work hard to set a creative example by consistently creating ourselves and crafting a handmade home.
What are some of your favorite ways to spend time together as a family?
We love getting out into nature: a trip to the beach, a walk in the park, or an afternoon in the backyard. We live in California, so we spend a great deal of our time outdoors. And eating, we love to share meals; dinner is the highlight of most days in our home.
How have you been able to integrate work with pursuing your creative passions?
By calling blogging “work.” I still have a very non-creative day job, but I hope to one day have only two jobs (both creative): mom and blogger.
Tell us how you got into blogging?
I fell in love with blogs when my son was born, and I simply wanted to join the conversation. Now, I am so inspired by all of the lovely people I have met, I couldn’t imagine not blogging.
What are you working on now?
I am working on bringing more focus to my blog. I hope to improve my writing and photography, and there is a redesign brewing as well. I am also hoping to release a pattern or two soon.
From time to time everyone’s creative juices wane. How do you handle that? Does it cause you any anxiety or do you just let it pass?
Lately, my problem has been WAY more ideas than time. I struggle to focus on one creative pursuit, and end up bouncing from recipe development to pattern drafting to teaching myself to knit. The manic desire to do it all sometimes leads to a bit of anxiety, but I’m starting to think that being a gal of all trades, master of none, is what is keeping those creative juices flowing.
How cool is Carla and her family? Don’t you just love that creating takes priority over housework? And that she’s been bold enough to call blogging her work? I so admire that! You can find more of Carla over at Small + Friendly.
