Why it’s hard to be creative and practical at the same time…or the difference between art and business

I’ve been making art a lot for a few months and that process plugs me into my essential nature. In that space we meet all the aspects of the self. All the biggies pop up when we head into the unknown land of our true creativity. (If you haven’t yet fallen in love with Jason Silva  you’ll probably want to watch this. And then watch all of his Shots of Awe videos. But read my post first.) read more

The lessons of prayer flags for the Dalai Lama in Alabama

Remember our Happy Flag Project?

A year ago we were heading to Birmingham, Alabama to see the Dalai Lama. My mom and I had spent the previous five months collecting handmade, artful prayer flags in honor of the visit. We led workshops in Alabama and Arizona. The whole city of Birmingham got involved–it was part of the University (UAB) curriculum in many departments. The Sculpture department created an installation with 1,000 flags. read more

Mama’s got a brand new brand!

The Rebrand Well, here we are! These are my new digs. Pretty spacious, huh? Look at all that white space around these words. This is my new blog and my new site and my new brand and a new me. Wait, actually, it is a really old me. I worked all summer with some amazing women named Tiffany and Leslie from Handshoe Design to rebrand and create this new site and I couldn’t be happier with what they created: I am thrilled to announce the birth of my new brand: Carrie Bloomston. Yep, me. Back to me. Full circle. (I’m not really a brand–just a mom in an apron trying to change the way we love ourselves with art.)

Don’t eat the whole sh*t sandwich

Good morning and happy Monday.

Isn’t Mercury in retrograde? I can already feel it, how about you?

Last week I found out I didn’t win the Blue Moon label contest. I made it all the way to the top 10 thanks to all of your support! Thanks for taking the time to vote for me. It meant a lot to feel your love. I thought I had a decent shot. So, I did feel hopeful for those few months during the process. read more

why you should make things with your hands and tell your story

You know what most people’s problem is? Too much money. (You know that I’m only a little bit serious, I hope?) But I’ve been thinking about this lately. That whole necessity is the mother of invention thing, ya know? I believe that. We are ALL more creative when we have to be. But buying has become the new making. And not just this decade but since the early 1900’s and after the industrial revolution. The subsequent plummeting price of goods began to be felt by the masses through places like Sears, Robuck & Co. and continues today with the fast-fashion of H&M. read more

Join me in Arizona for my November creativity retreat!

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

― Mary Oliver

Are you ready to live a passionate, creative life but feel scared to even say it out loud?

Do you sometimes feel sluggish, bored, stuck or uninspired?

Are you ready to do something for yourself?

SPARK 2015 CREATIVITY RETREAT 

November 12-15, 2015

Ignite your creative bonfire and come alive in the inspiring Sonoran Desert with creativity enabler, Carrie Bloomston, in Scottsdale, Arizona. read more

Hail your life

The quiet formlessness of Sundays often inspires me to a tender and soulful place. I was telling my kids that last night, after yet another of our many sessions of watching Shark Tank as a family together, I emailed their casting team and applied to be on it. As I told them I laughed and said, yes, of course the odds are very slim. But, no matter. And then I explained to them why: read more