Welcome to the Erstwhile Muse A Creative Life Series (Intro)
“Creativity isn’t just about art. It’s about life.”
It’s in the way you make your morning coffee.
The way you arrange wildflowers in a jar.
The way you parent, love, work, rest, and play.
It’s in the quilts you sew, the notes you tuck into lunchboxes, the way you style your bookshelf or light a candle in the evening.
Creativity is not a special skill for a chosen few—it’s a way of being in the world.
It’s an antidote to anxiety, a guide through life’s struggles, and a celebration of the everyday.
🌿 Why We Created the Erstwhile Muse and The Creative Life Series of Posts
Here at the Erstwhile Emporium, we believe creativity is essential—not just as an outlet, but as a way to live more deeply, gently, and intentionally.
That’s why we created the Erstwhile Muse—the storytelling arm of our little corner of the world. This space is for blog posts, reflections, gentle prompts, and shared inspiration.
In our Creative Life Series of posts, we'll talk about:
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How creativity weaves itself through daily life
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What it means to live intentionally and soulfully
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The joy of making—not just finished products, but process and play
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Thoughtful book recommendations and studio stories
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Creativity exercises you can ponder, dabble in, or dive into with gusto
🪑 What This Space Feels Like
We hope the Muse feels like a cozy fireside chair, a companionable afternoon in a sunlit studio, or a deep breath after a long day. Whether you're an artist, a parent, a dreamer, or simply someone craving a little more beauty and intention in everyday life—this space is for you.
✍️ What to Expect
In this series, we’ll explore ten core aspects of everyday creativity and how they can elevate and soothe your life. These ideas aren’t new, but they’ve been quietly guiding me for years.
If you’re curious about the books that helped shape these thoughts, head over to our Bookshelf to browse my favorite reads on creative living.
💌 A Note from Becky
Thank you for being here. It means so much to share this journey with you. This topic has been on my mind for a few years now. Our kids are older and starting to create their own lives, our military family life of deployments and constant moving is winding down, and I’ve been taking stock of what is important in my life, and what would define this new era for me. I kept coming back to the concept of being a maker, and what value that had for me. The answer was it was of immense value, so much so that I felt the need to share it.
Whether you’re just beginning to rediscover your creative spirit or have been living this way for years, I hope you find warmth, wonder, and inspiration in these pages.
Welcome to the Erstwhile Muse and our Creative Life Series
We’re so glad you’re here.
Warmly,
Becky
🪄 Up Next:
✨ Art is for Everyone
Next, check out the first post in our Creative Life Series, where we discuss the revelation that ART IS FOR EVERYONE. Find some inspiration and some insight on our little creative journey.