Little Free Library and other Musings

Listening

About Stillness, an interview with Ed Yong is a lovely reflection on the value and benefits of focus, stillness, connection to nature and the importance of community.

“These recent years have taught me that I’m less when I’m not actively looking after myself, that I have value to my world and my community beyond ceaseless production and that pursuits like birding that foster joy, wonder and connection to place are not sidebars to a fulfilled life but their essence.” Ed Yong

You can listen to the interview on CBC, The Current Podcast April 11, 2024 here.

About Generosity. In an interview with Matt Galloway on CBC’s the Current, Chris Anderson talks about his new book, Infectious Generosity: The Ultimate Idea Worth Spreading. Lots of great inspiration around the gift of generosity.

“The miracle is that an idea can spread from one human to another, and can change that person, hopefully for the better.” “Every act of generosity starts with a shift of attention.” Chris Anderson

You can find the interview here.

Reading

I’m a big fan of Seth Godin’s work and am often reading or re-reading one of his books. I’m going through ‘The Practice’ again. The book is about putting your best work out into the world with authenticity, focus and joy for the process. With more than 200 short chapters, divided into themes, it’s a book that you can pick up whenever you’re looking to get unstuck and need some inspiration to get started or to keep the flow going with a project you’re working on. Godin reinforces how important consistency is, staying focused, sitting down at your table, and beginning!

“In a chapter on decisions, he writes about generous creativity. “The process is a smart one even if the particular work doesn’t resonate, even if you aren’t happy with the reaction from the critics. That’s because what we seek and how we create aren’t the same thing. Reassurance is futile – and focusing on outcomes at the expense of process is a shortcut that will destroy your good work”. Some good advice, whether you’re creating art or working on a project or new initiative.

And in a chapter on being of service, he writes “isn’t that what we’re here to do? To do work we’re proud of. To put ourselves on the hook. To find the contribution we’re capable of. The way to be on this journey is to begin. But there isn’t a guarantee. In fact, most of what we seek to do will not work. But our intent – the intent of being of service, of making things better, of building something that matters – is an essential part of the pattern”. So, if you’re procrastinating about starting a new project – think about diving in – action is the way to begin.

Creative Finds

I’ve always loved wood and began building with it at an early age. During my studies at OCAD, I spent a lot of time in the woodworking studio designing and building furniture. After OCAD I spent a summer at the Anderson Ranch Arts Centre immersed in a furniture program. When I recently came across the work of Amber Jean, I was inspired by the creativity and uniqueness of her work – she is a wood worker, sculptor, and artist. Much of her work is large scale, dramatic in nature and beautifully crafted with a strong connection to nature, form, and color. Check out her Tree Reliquaries which you can view here. It’s also worth browsing the rest of her work.

A small sampling of some Little Free Library Boxes

Inspiration

Funny how when you take an interest in something, it starts to show up more often. Start thinking about red cars, and you’ll begin to see lots of them. I came across a creative structure for a little free library box awhile back on one of my city walks, and sure enough, on subsequent walks, kept discovering more charming library boxes. People are clearly having fun putting their own unique mark on these small, architectural structures that serve an important purpose.

Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that’s based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Their mission is “to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes.” Keep an eye out on your next city walk, and you’ll likely come across a little library box gem, and you’ll may just find a great book to read.

Learn more about the Little Free Library here.

Creative Work

Some recent projects experimenting with an exposed Coptic stitch binding. Chiyogami Paper and Marbled Papers. The first journal has a small book embellishment on the cover with a quote inside, the back cover has an expandable pocket. A decorative box was made to house the journal (not shown).