Mindful Thoughts for Makers: Connecting Head, Heart, Hands

Mindful Thoughts

by Ellie Beck

Mindful Thoughts for Makers explores how the making process can be used as a tool for meditation, and not just a means to an end. Part of the Mindful Thoughts series, this lovingly illustrated little book muses on all aspects of making, including:

• Motivation;
• Experimenting;
• Making mistakes;
• Monotony;
• Perfectionism;
• The making community;
• The environment;
• . . . and many more.

Making can be much more than a business or hobby, it can be a spiritually enriching activity, slowing us down, and connecting our hands to our heart. Textile artist Ellie Beck reveals, through 25 focused reflections, why creating with our hands is uplifting, rewarding, and soothing for the mind, body, and soul. This book offers meaningful insights to all makers from artists and bakers to tailors and woodworkers—the list is endless.

If you like this, you might also be interested in Mindful Thoughts for Cooks.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Crafts

160 pages, Hardcover

Published September 3, 2019

Reviews

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“The heart of the maker lies not in the finished items, but in the doing of the project, the making of the thing”

Creation, connection, ritual, process, rhythm, space - short but tip filled pieces on creativity in action from an emotional, not always succeeding approach. The reality shot that I needed to hear to understand that a hobby can be part effort rather than full on as it still contributes that little something back. One day I’ll make that wicker stool…

“To be human is to be a maker…”

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, well-written book on the meditative nature of crafting by hand. I truly enjoyed this book and read it at one sitting. I appreciated the author's thoughts on slowing down, taking a break from our busy lives, and enjoying the pleasant simplicity of crafting. She also reminds crafters that it's the process - not the finished product - that's important.

This book would be great as a gift for anyone who crafts - sewing, woodworking, knitting, crochet, and any other handmade crafting activity.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

While there is nothing ground-breaking in this book, it's a great little guide to remind you of the importance of taking time to create, just for the pleasure of creating. With chapters on making mistakes, nature as inspiration and the importance of patience while we learn and master new tasks, it's a quick read with essentials to remember. I especially appreciated the "Being Gentle with your Perfectionism" chapter!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really nice at expressing the healing nature of creating things. I liked the little antidotes and this book content made me smile.

[Stephanie Weima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, all creatives could use a dose of her wisdom.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quiet, thoughtful book about how makers can live quiet, thoughtful lives. I enjoyed it immensely, and will make a point of re-reading it periodically, as I'm sure there'll be something new for me each time.

[Mechthild · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think about what you make
Ellie Beck's book "Mindful Thoughts For Makers. Connecting head, heart, hands" as published by the Quarto Publishing Group - Leaping Hare Press. Beck's goal is to show why creating with our hands is uplifting, rewarding, and soothing for the whole human being - body, mind´, and soul. She treats topics such as "On being a Maker" and "The Heart of the Maker", but also topics such as "Making Mistakes", "Motivation for Making", and "Repairing the Broken." With her approach she encourages the "makers" to breath and to slow down in our hectic world. Nevertheless, one has to ask what her frame of reference is, what the world-view for her ideas is, since she does not provide references or a bibliography.
It is an interesting approach since even arts and crafts in the time of Pinterest and Instagram etc. Are very goal-oriented and influenced by perfection. The book contains great illustrations and is a resource for creative people to help them to reflect about what they are doing and why they are doing their craft. It is important to note that this is not an "How-To-Do" Book, but a book for reflection.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#MindfulThoughtsForMakers #NetGalley

[Penelope Lennon · Rating 5 out of 5]

a lovely book to hold, and a timely reminder for me to understand the importance of ‘making’ and ‘creating’

[April Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for makers of all skill levels, regardless of what you make. There is a lot of emphasis on the meditative qualities of making, and while this can get slightly repetitive at times, it serves as a reminder to enjoy the process of making, to not rush it, to give yourself the time it takes to learn a new process, be open to mistakes and learn from them, to be okay with the end result not being perfect. There are reminders to take care of yourself- I've forgotten to eat many times myself- and to be able to step away if something isn't working. I especially enjoyed the chapter on Being Conscious of the Environment, and how it focused on not having to have all the supplies, making your own materials or sourcing them locally, thinking about the impact your materials have on the world around you. Many long-time makers will be familiar with the ideas presented in this book, but it's always nice to have a refresher, and newer makers will find help in learning to slow down and enjoy the process.

#MindfulThoughtsForMakers #NetGalley

[Nicolet Groen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Searching for more mindfulness in my life, I discovered that being a maker is more peaceful to me than meditation practices. In addition to my career as a photographer, this year I started creating other forms of art and pottery, and I discovered that as soon as I pick up a pencil or piece of charcoal and especially when I put my hands into clay, all my stress disappears and time flies. And that is precisely what this book is about; it's a good starting point for new makers on how to create headspace and, where to find inspiration. However, I can imagine that it is less appealing for more experienced and professional makers who already know how to get started and how to finish.

[Anne Whoriskey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me consider why I made and make.

There is a usefulness in this book that is very appealing. The book is very well formed one chapter/train of thought leading seamlessly into the next Which makes it joyful to read and resulting in a very persuasive argument that making is useful for the making of rather than the finished piece.
Loved it.
Found myself thinking about it for a while after.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of us are makers, and Ms. Beck reminds us of the nature of the creative process, and the potential for achieving even more by consciously using mindfulness practice. Great inspiration for all of us who dabble in crafts, art, cooking for pleasure and more.

[Sharon LaCrosse · Rating 4 out of 5]

So true. And we are all Makers in some way.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Explaining the same things, but in different ways...

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just too watered down and generic for this maker.

[Özge]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[S T WALTON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

I enjoyed this book very much, it's an easy read but as you read you are reminded what should be most important when you are milking your goats.