Symbolica

Are you a creative person lacking a space of your own to simply create? Do you often think about making stuff but never seem to get around to it because practical ‘life’ gets in the way? Are you an ex artist or craftsperson who has lost your creative flow?

This post is about finding my mojo again under the pile of rubble that filled my garage.

I wish that I’d thought to take a ‘before’ shot of our dirty and cluttered garage prior to transforming most of it into my studio, but I didn’t because I lacked the faith or vision that I would realise my dream.

Originally I intended to use my home studio as a base for practicing with clients whilst working on my Masters in creative arts therapy through MIECAT in Melbourne.

If I was going to invite people to work with me in my space I was going to have to make it not only functional and tidy but comfortable as well.

I had attempted to clean the garage up several times over the years so that I might use my jewellers tools but it never led to much creative ‘flow’ at all.

In hindsight I realise that the key difference between previous attempts and my new outcome was not just cleaning out the garage but making a space that I personally enjoy being in (not rocket science, I know, but sometimes it takes a different set of circumstances to push you past old habits). I now have a space which encourages me to create. I can simply enter and start working with no barriers to my process.

Several months have passed and I’ve deferred from my studies and am enjoying more time in my studio making some jewellery again for my etsy store and commission work. All this industry has led me full circle back to this virtual place at Symbolica and it feels good to be back.

Both spaces are small but cosy and all mine.

Welcome to my studio and welcome back to my website!

Oh wise, industrious little Honey Bee,
Buzzing away in your studio of creation.
Will you energise us with your song and nourish us with your honey?

The bee is a perfect symbol for artists of all kinds. It’s dual nature symbolises not only the material but also the spiritual aspect of life.

Working with the symbol of the bee can be especially helpful for someone who is feeling listless or uninspired creatively. Contemplating the bee can encourage us to let go of our egos in order to return to the flow of creative activity.

The bee symbol is a good reminder that our works of art can nourish and sustain our community as well as ourselves.

Because of the major role of the queen bee and the thousands of female ‘workers’, the bee has long been associated with the feminine aspects of nature. Therefore she can be used to develop the creative feminine aspects within us all.

Historically the bee has been employed by many cultures. The ancient Egyptians used the bee symbol within their hieroglyphs to depict royalty. Incidentally in my research I found that the honey bee would also be a good symbol for any women out there called Melissa, as the name has a Greek origin meaning ‘honey bee’.

What sets the honey bee apart from insects like the equally industrious ant, is it’s ability to fly, it’s very important flower pollinating duties, and the act of distilling honey from the nectar of flowers.

The bee is equally revered for it’s collective work within the hive as well as it’s individual qualities.
As an individual she has been used to symbolise the vital principle, and is an incarnate of the soul.

“Busy as a Bee”
“Working bee”
“A bee in your bonnet”
These relatively modern uses of the word ‘bee’ all invoke focussed and busy activity. Either working collectively or individually.