Create Ensemble

Everyone is welcome: come and create with me!

These past six months have felt a little like an experiment, work-wise, for me. Yes, I left my full time job in July, launched an interior design business, took up writing and podcasting and now here I am in January 2024.

The start of a new year is a strange time, not least because we humans love to think of them as fresh starts, clean slates, blank canvases…

But, I don’t really feel like that. Instead, I feel torn.

Half of me feels like the rehearsal period is over and now I should be plotting and planning and honing in on the things that have been working well and figure out how to do more of that. The other (lazier and braver) half of me says

“Nah, just continue to go with the flow. Do more of what feels right.”

You know what? I’m inclined to go with the latter voice. I’m enjoying life a lot right now and I think that’s in large part due to letting go of worrying about what I think I ought to be doing and instead, sticking with what feels right at any given time.

In the spirit of that, I have something new coming to Chez Hanny.

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Create Ensemble

It’s an idea that I’ve had brewing for a some time and I’m just about feeling brave enough to give it a go. The time feels right.

Imagine the scene:

It’s Wednesday evening, 7:30pm (UK time), you make yourself a cup of your favourite tea or even pour a glass of red, light a scented candle, cosy up in a quiet spot and log on to a gentle, encouraging, hour-long opportunity to make your Wednesday that tiny bit more creative.

How it works

The first five minutes are a calming welcome from me, with the opportunity for introductions from those who wish to speak. There’s no pressure - you can simply listen and take it all in if you prefer to remain quiet. Then, 50 minutes to use creatively in silence, however you wish, with your camera on and sound muted. You might decide to use the time to:

• Write

• Read

• Draw

• Design

• Paint

• Compose

• Bake

• Listen to a piece of music

• Knit

• Craft

In the final 5 minutes, anyone who wishes to can share what they have created or taken from the session. Again, there is no pressure for anyone to share or speak. You can simply be there.

Why join?

Sometimes, we need a dose of gentle accountability to help us along. Seeing each other there in the tiny squares on the screen is encouraging. Together or ‘ensemble’ in French, we are stronger.

There are times when I think I should make time to read something specific or rekindle my love of drawing or start composing again. Yet I rarely make the time to do those things.

If it is me alone present on Wednesday evening, I know that I will use that time wisely because I am giving myself a responsibility. I’m content with that.

And if, on the off chance, you are available and would like to join me, I would be absolutely delighted to have you there alongside me.

Who is this for?

Anyone subscribing (paid and free) to Chez Hanny is welcome to come along to this first session. Most subsequent sessions will be for paid subscribers, and initially I’m hoping to run one or two every month. All creative levels of ability can join: hobbyists and professionals alike. You choose what you do with your time.

When and where?

The first session will take place on Wednesday 10th January 2024 at 7:30pm (GMT). It will be hosted on Zoom and the link will be emailed to all subscribers on Tuesday evening.

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A new year and something new.

I’ve no expectations but am interested to see what, if anything, evolves from this. The idea for this creative space is inspired by a similar kind of writing session run by

Suzy Walker

and a drawing session hosted by

Beth Spencer

(who has written a guest post on this very topic coming to Chez Hanny very soon!). Sadly, Suzy’s sessions run on days when I am in the classroom teaching, and therefore unavailable, so I decided that if I couldn’t make that, I would start my own version. Here it is!

I hope you have a restorative Sunday. For those of you in the UK, my favourite programme, The Great Pottery Throwdown, is back for a new series at 7:45pm tonight on Channel 4. It is the ultimate in calm and restorative TV and I can’t wait to watch later!

Hannah x

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p.s. there’s an extra ramble at the end of the voiceover with some more detailed thoughts on how you might use the time creating something in the session on Wednesday.