I'm an artist, surface pattern + fabric designer, author, mama, and online teacher in Portland, OR. I believe in the power of art-making as a tool for radical self-care. I help people feel a little bit brighter and a little bit less alone through the art and products I make, the words I write, and the classes I teach. Come join 18k+ people in my colorful, uplifting world!
Everything is always working out as it's supposed to
|
Hi Reader! I hope you're having a wonderful week. I'm enjoying a quiet Thanksgiving week at home this year with my kiddos instead of traveling to see family like we often do (well, more like a "quiet" week – I hear C and G bickering about something in the background right now, which is pretty standard), and it's funny how things work out so perfectly sometimes... We loosely planned to go to California for Thanksgiving and then decided to go in December instead. Then we made plans for a friends-giving, and that ended up not materializing either. And then I decided it might be nice to just have a quiet Thanksgiving here at home, just the three of us, and be cozy all day and cook what we want. And last week I ended up getting sick (like, real sick, not just an annoying little cold) and I'm feeling somewhat better but it's been lingering for almost a week now, and if I had to travel or host a bunch of people at our house in a couple of days I'd probably be kinda dreading it. But instead, I get to just look forward to relaxing and being cozy at home! It's all working out exactly as it's supposed to. It's not always easy to see things that way in the moment. Things might not make sense sometimes. But I love how often when I look backward at how things have happened that all the pieces fit together so weirdly perfectly and the dots connect so much of the time. It reminds me that I can TRUST what's happening TRUST myself, and TRUST the universe and the great mystery of it all. Anyway, to all my fellow Americans – Happy Thanksgiving this week! LET'S BE FRIENDS ON IG!
|
Jessica Swift.
I'm an artist, surface pattern + fabric designer, author, mama, and online teacher in Portland, OR. I believe in the power of art-making as a tool for radical self-care. I help people feel a little bit brighter and a little bit less alone through the art and products I make, the words I write, and the classes I teach. Come join 18k+ people in my colorful, uplifting world!
Hi Reader, Ever have one of those weeks where you feel like you're moving through molasses? You know spending some time being creative would help, but it feels like your inner artist just... wandered off without saying goodbye? Yep. Same here. I know I’ve been sharing quite a few offerings lately — and if your inbox is feeling full, I get it. But this one is really special, and I’d be so happy to have you join me. The Making Zen Online Retreat kicks off on May 26th, and it’s basically a big,...
Hi Reader, I returned home on Sunday from teaching at my friend Carrie Schmitt's Art Is Love retreat, and I've been easing my way back into my regular rhythm the past couple of days, trying to go slow even though my mind is starting to churn with all the familiar chatter about all the things I need to do or haven't done or aren't doing right and on and on. Hello, busy mind! According to Carrie, your mind can't think thoughts when you're humming, so maybe I'll try humming more...? I don't know...
Hi Reader, Happy Tuesday! How are you? Things here are full and busy, with work stuff and life stuff and kid stuff and all the things. I wrapped up Pattern Camp this past weekend (it was so fun!), the Variety Show with my friend Sarah the week before that, and next week I'm headed to St. Helens, OR to teach at my friend Carrie Schmitt's Art Is Love retreat. And this week I have some awesome new free events that I was invited to teach in that I get to start telling you about. So many good...