Making Friday: What’s it all about?
Hello! I’m Heather, the founder & creative director of Skinny laMinx.
Every Friday since 2008, I’ve been in my studio practicing curiosity through my weekly creative practice that I call Making Friday.
Curious? Read on for the foundations of the Making Friday practice, why I continue, and how you can join in the fun!
In the early days of Skinny laMinx, although my business was growing, it felt as though something had gone wrong. I’d started a creative business, but all I did was rush about doing production & admin work. There seemed to be no time for creativity any more.
Then, one day, I had to spend two whole mornings at the dentist for root canal surgery, and this is when my MAKING FRIDAY practice began, based on 4 simple ideas:
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IDEA #1. STUDIO TIME IS BETTER THAN ROOT CANAL
Lying in the dentist’s chair, I realised I’d found time for this torture, but I seemed to never find time for creative work.
Hmmm…Something was out of balance.
iDEA #2. DON’T FIND THE TIME, MAKE THE TIME
This made me realise that, just as I’d put a dentist appointment in my diary, I had to make a regular appointment for creative work.
So, I made a date with myself every Friday, which I started calling “Making Friday”.
IDEA #3. BE UNPRODUCTIVE
There’s no To Do list on a Friday. The only brief is: Make something. ANYTHING. Even if it’s just a mess!
Playfulness is the name of the game, because this is what creates the juice that keeps my creative business… well,… juicy!
IDEA #4. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A FRIDAY
It doesn’t have to be on a Friday. It could just be 1 hour a week.
The diary is more important than the day.
You just have to make a date.
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Can you relate? Just can’t seem to find the time to be creative?
Try my solution. Make a gap in your diary, any day of the week. It can be for just one hour.
Remember, you need to make it happen or it will never happen.
linda
currious if you still have your bread bags – my girlfriend bought one for me after admiring it in her home and now i wan to buy for my daughters as they just admired mine! i can’t find on website
skinnylaminx
Hi Linda.
Thanks for getting in touch.
We designed and made The breadbags for our friends and neighbours at Jason Bakery, who have been selling them in their stores in Cape Town.
Contact Brigitte@captainbread.com to find out if they have any left.
All the best,
Heather
Amanda Gmür
This is a great idea – I am an artist but also a mother of 3 and work etc and never have any time – but I am going to try making time because being creative makes me so happy! Such a simple concept but I never actually do it so now I am inspired to! thanks!
skinnylaminx
Hi Mandy! I’d love to know how you get along with it. Good luck!
x Heather
Angela Gabrielle Grimes
Just discovered you. Love your idea, above. I was newly retired 2, no 3 years ago. I had dreams of working in my make shift studio without interruption. However, life or the fates had a different plan. I was my 90 year old Mum’s main care taker – no regrets as she was an artist and my best friend. But she passed away in 2019. Once I got past my initial shock and grief, I was ready to make the plan happen. Covid-19 hit and all that went with the rest of 2020 and I lost all my mojo. Seeing your idea of how to grow one’s practice consistently, mindfully and with a lot of gratitude, was/is timely. I am finally feeling myself again and looking forward to 2021 and move forward. I want to give your strategy a try. Thank you. Cheers
Miriam
I love this idea so much! Having a creative outlet is so energising – and makes me want to create even more… but you just have to start! Thanks for the tips & encouragement. Three cheers to Making Fridays!
skinnylaminx
Thanks so much for your lovely note. Happy making!
xx Heather
Griselda Kahn
Hello Heather,
I relate totally to your “Making Friday” concept. If we do not give our creativity space and time, we will not have it. When I realised that I began to bundle the not so fun stuff to one day which is Monday in my schedule. That makes me feel I have the rest of the week off for creativity. Boring things come in the way anyway, but at least I am aware that I have to give space during the week to have fun and can play in my creative space.
Greetings from Germany, Griselda