Finding Your Way Back to Creativity

Creativity has always been part of my life. Sometimes it hums quietly in the background, and other times it bursts forward, full of color and energy. It’s never really gone, just waiting for me to notice it again. Over the years, I’ve learned that creativity isn’t something we lose and find. It grows and shifts with us, changing shape as our lives change.

If you’ve ever felt like your creativity has gone quiet, this story is for you. My hope is that by sharing my journey of finding my way back to creativity, you’ll be inspired to reconnect with your own spark or discover it for the first time.

Because creativity isn’t just about making things. It’s about how we see the world, how we connect with it, and how we stay open to possibility.

Where It All Began

I grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, where life was simple but full of hard work. My mom was the creative heartbeat of our home. She sewed most of our clothes on a small machine beside the bed, partly to save money but mostly because she loved it.

She was always creating something, from quilts and crochet to ceramics for a while, and my sister and I joined in, painting little ceramic pieces right alongside her.

Back then, we didn’t create because we had to. We did it because it was fun. There wasn’t pressure for it to be perfect. It was about the joy of making something together. Looking back, that’s where I learned what creativity really is, not talent or skill, but love, curiosity, and connection woven together.

The Power of Small Wins

When I joined 4-H, I tried everything from leatherwork to painting. One project stands out, a blue jean cowgirl skirt trimmed with rickrack and a matching white eyelet top. It won best in show for my age group, though I’m sure my mom helped more than she should have. Still, that ribbon gave me my first real taste of pride in creating something and sharing it with the world.

At the time, I didn’t realize how important that little win was. It wasn’t about being the best. It was about finishing something, seeing it through, and realizing, I can do this.

Those small moments of completion build confidence. They remind us that creativity isn’t about mastery, it’s about momentum. Every "I made this" moment becomes a breadcrumb leading us back to ourselves.

When Creativity Goes Quiet

After college, I became a music teacher, surrounded by creativity every day. I poured myself into teaching, conducting, and helping kids find their voices.

But when I left teaching, something shifted. I thought I was just changing careers, but I didn’t realize I was stepping away from a big part of my creative identity. At first, I didn’t feel lost, just quiet.

It took time to understand that creativity hadn’t disappeared. It had simply changed shape. Sometimes it hides in ordinary things, like the way we solve problems, cook, or decorate a space. It never leaves, it just waits for a little stillness to come back in.

If you’ve ever gone through a season when your creativity felt far away, know that it’s still there, quietly breathing, waiting for you to notice it again.

Rediscovering the Spark

That stillness found me in 2014, after my husband and I bought our home. I finally had room for a sewing machine, so I bought a basic Singer and made a simple nine-patch quilt. That one small project reignited a creative spark that’s still burning bright today.

While my husband was off golfing, I’d lose hours sewing, surrounded by fabric and color. That was when I realized creativity had found me again.

Later, I picked up crochet, and I’ve been “hooked” ever since. It’s portable, simple, and soothing, something I can do while watching TV, traveling, or winding down. Creativity doesn’t always return in big, dramatic ways. Sometimes it sneaks back softly, through a moment of curiosity, a single color of yarn, or the quiet joy of making.

Maybe there’s something you’ve been curious about too, something you’ve said, "Someday I’ll try that." What if instead of waiting for someday, you take a little time and start today?

A New Kind of Space

That idea inspired me to create The Maker’s Spark, not as a place to teach a specific craft, but as a space to explore creativity itself. I believe creativity grows stronger when we share it, talk about it, and remind each other that we all have it.

This is a space for everyday makers and creative-curious souls who want to explore, experiment, and connect. A place for encouragement, inspiration, and support, whether your spark is burning bright or just beginning to flicker back to life.

Keep the Spark Going

If this story resonated with you, I’d love for you to keep exploring with me.

🎧 Listen to the full story on The Maker’s Spark Podcast, and join me for more conversations about creativity, connection, and inspiration. It’s available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

And if you’re making something of your own, big or small, I’d love to see it. Share it on Instagram and tag @the.makersspark using #makerssparkmoments. Or post on Facebook, and tag The Maker’s Spark. I’d love to see and share your creations with other like-minded people.

Because creativity builds community, and community keeps the spark alive.

Keep sparking! ✨