Day Makers and the Art of Creating

My cousin Rachael has been highlighting, cutting, and coloring my hair for years. When she first started Hair School the teachers emphasized the idea that yes, they are stylists. But they’re more than that. They’re Day Makers.

She and I joke about it from time to time. But only because it really is true. I can go from feeling totally gross about the way I look….then I get my hair done…..and I feel like walking down Rodeo Drive and snapping photos with everyone.

Getting my hair done definitely makes my day.

Well, now that I’m in Texas, I only see Rachael once or twice a year. Which means my regrowth has been going on 4 months now. I’ve been feeling gross. You know it’s bad when your husband makes a real casual comment like, “so….what are you going to do about your hair?….I mean, now that Rachael’s so far away?”

Well, last night I found Brandilyn, my new Day Maker.

I went from this:
And yep, even this. I thought I should completely embarrass myself and show off the nice headband-hair/bangs-pulled-back/slightly-greased look. Or as my college roommate used to say, “you’re totally Wesson”
And after a couple hours at Brandilyn’s salon, here’s what happened….

Hooray! I think this made my day, week, and probably the next few months.
Hooray for a spectrum of talents that we share with each other! I have no idea how to “do hair” (aside from shaving Owen’s head from time to time). But thankfully there are wonderful people who thrive at this skill. People who know how to create pretty blonde from my dull and greasy hair.

Over the year, many of you have left comments about the quote on my Why I Sew page. It’s something that’s resonated with you as well.

The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.
We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

So beautifully stated.

The other night I was talking with some friends about that quote and about “being creative” in general. And one of them said, “I’m just not very creative. I don’t now what to create. I run marathons.

Coming from an artsy mind I’ve often thought of “creativity” as being something artistic. But I realized I was far from the point.

You don’t have to be an artist or crafter or sewer to “create” things in your life. In fact, that’s what makes friendships so interesting. We each have different talents, skills, and personalities which can “take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty.”

So, if you don’t sew or think you’re not “creative”…..

* The woman who is great at organization creates structure and an organized home for her family.
* The woman who loves to cook creates happy and full tummies for everyone around her.
* The woman with an athletic flair creates healthy habits and takes her family on adventurous outings.
* The woman who loves conversation creates lasting friendships.
* The woman who can type 100 wpm can create twice as many emails as the rest of us.

No matter how subtle or obvious, we each create in our own “creative” way. So pat yourself on the back. You’re definitely a Day Maker to someone in your life. Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us! And thank you Bradilyn for making me a blonde again.

(photo, compliments of Lucy)

Sorry for getting all mushy. Just something that’s been on my mind…..as I’ve been sitting at the computer, photo editing, and editing, and more editing.

And sorry no Pattern today. I think the SHOP will be ready for it tomorrow!

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