Creativity CloseUps

S1 - Pilot/Test E1

Sometimes a creative journey begins with a grand idea.

Sometimes it begins with looking at an old birdhouse & thinking, “I should make another one.”

In this episode of Creativity CloseUps, Ryan sits down with Janine Johnstone of The Backyard Birdhouse - Home & Garden Decor to talk about a lifelong need to make things — and how one simple project grew into hundreds of handcrafted birdhouses and home & garden décor.

Janine grew up in a creative household. Her mother knitted, sewed and drew, while her father loved woodworking, built furniture and helped build the family home. Years ago, Janine & her father made a birdhouse she still owns, which later inspired her to build another.

Today, Janine estimates she has made and sold around 400 birdhouses. She discusses learning woodworking and bird-safe design, custom pieces, expanding into functional home & garden décor, finding inspiration in vintage and farmhouse styles, artisan markets, staying motivated and the business of creativity.

And when asked what creativity means to her:

“Being able to make things that make me happy.”

>>> Full video feature on YouTube <<<

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VIEW JANINE'S WORK

The Backyard Birdhouse Website

The Backyard Birdhouse on Facebook

@thebackyardbirdhouse on Instagram

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JANINE'S TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Ridgid Table Saw

King Canada Band Saw

Craftsman Mitre / Chop Saw

Mastercraft Belt & Disc Sander & WEN Spindle Sander

Ryobi Router & Table

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CREATIVITY CLOSEUPS...

...documents, celebrates and preserves the stories of Canada’s creative community — one conversation at a time.

Focusing on Canada’s Creative Minds. Preserving Canada’s Creative Stories.

Website

YouTube Channel

Instagram

Facebook

PodCast

BlueSky

Help keep Creativity CloseUps free or low-cost for featured creatives through Buy Me a Coffee.

S1 - Pilot/Test E2

What happens when someone who never thought of herself as an artist discovers the right kind of creativity?

In this episode of Creativity CloseUps, Ryan sits down with Lisa Grealy of Arts & Stones in Victoria, BC, to talk about a creative journey that began without a business plan or major expectations.

Lisa started exploring painted stones & mandalas to slow down & focus. Her work evolved into needle felting—a transition sparked while crafting for a West Coast Christmas tree. Soon she was creating whimsical animals inspired by nature, from owls to banana slugs.

Ryan & Lisa discuss experimenting, overcoming self-doubt, & avoiding turning a creative outlet into a production line. Now retired, Lisa is exploring new directions with needle felting, including armatures & larger pieces.

When asked to define creativity, her answer says it all: “Creativity is freedom.”

>>> Watch PART ONE of the video feature on YouTube <<<

>>> Watch PART TWO of the video feature on YouTube <<<

Lisa's work:

• Lisa's Instagram Page

• Arts and Stones at Makers: 909 Government Street, Victoria, BC

Inspirations:

• Sophie Wheatley • Poppy Rocks • Mystic Mandela • Susan Nelson

• art_is_therapy01 • arthetic.silu • rob.c.art

Materials & Tools of the Trade:

Rock Art:

• Tools by Happy Dotting Company

• Paints by DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paint

• Blanks by Susan Nelson Creations

Mandalas:

• Pens by Brustro Professional Pigment Based Fineliner

Needle Felting:

• Felting suppliers: Canadian Felt Shop & Knotty By Nature

• Wool type: Corriedale wool roving

• Tools by Heidifeathers

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Creativity CloseUps celebrates the stories of Canada’s artists, makers, crafters, artisans & more - one conversation at a time.

Focusing on Canada’s Creative Minds.

Preserving Canada’s Creative Stories.

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Creativity CloseUps Website

YouTube Channel

Instagram Page

Facebook Page

Podcast Page

BlueSky Page

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Help keep Creativity CloseUps free or low-cost for featured creatives through Buy Me a Coffee.

Music by Sonican

Are you an artist, maker, crafter, artisan or creative business owner interested in sharing your creative story?

This special episode is a short introduction to what it means to be featured on Creativity CloseUps.

Creativity CloseUps is built around relaxed conversations — not formal interviews — exploring how creative people got started, what inspires them, the tools and materials they use, the challenges they’ve faced, their creative process, and the stories behind what they create.

A Creativity CloseUps feature can include both:

• A podcast conversation — allowing listeners to hear your story in your own words.
• A YouTube feature — where viewers can also see your work, studio or workspace, tools, materials, creative process and perhaps a demonstration of your process and other visual parts of your story.

You don’t need decades of experience to take part. Whether you’ve been creating for one year or fifty years, if you’re passionate about what you do, your creative journey has value.

At this stage, there is no charge to be featured.

Interested in learning more?

Visit: https://www.creativitycloseups.ca

and click the WWW Sign Post 🪧 then click For Artists / Makers at the top of the page.

You’ll find more information about the project, what being featured involves, and video of two examples of how different Creativity CloseUps conversations can be presented.

If it feels like a good fit, you can contact me directly through the website.

Creativity CloseUps

Focusing on Canada’s Creative Minds.

Preserving Canada’s Creative Stories.

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Watch the full video features on YouTube to see the artist’s studio, tools, materials, artwork, demonstrations, and creative process.

Visit:

Creativity CloseUps Website

YouTube Channel

Instagram Page

Facebook Page

Podcast Page

BlueSky Page

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Help keep Creativity CloseUps free or low-cost for featured creatives through Buy Me a Coffee. Contributions support filming, editing, travel, equipment, hosting and this growing archive.

Welcome to Creativity Closeups, coming soon to a podcast near you.

The first two pilot/test episodes are now live!

This podcast is part of a documentary style media project dedicated to documenting, celebrating and preserving the stories of Canada's creative community. Starting in Victoria, BC, Creativity CloseUps will feature relaxed conversations with artists, makers, crafters, artisans and creative businesses.

The goal of each episode is to explore the person behind the work. Their inspirations, tools, materials, explore their workspace, challenges, processes, and their creative journey.

You can listen to the conversation here then visit the Creativity CloseUps YouTube Channel to see the extended video feature. The video feature may include additional footage such as a studio tour, and further discussions about tools, techniques, past and present projects, demonstrations, and other visual details that bring the artist’s story to life. Think of it as a companion feature to the podcast.

So follow Creativity CloseUps where ever you listen to podcasts.

Focusing on Canada's Creative Minds.

Preserving Canada's Creative Stories.

Find Creativity CloseUps here...

Creativity CloseUps Website

YouTube Channel

Instagram Page

Facebook Page

Podcast Page

BlueSky Page

I want Creativity CloseUps to remain free, or as low-cost as possible, for the artists, makers, crafters, and creative businesses being featured. Buy Me a Coffee is a simple way to support the project if you enjoy these creative stories. Every contribution helps with filming, editing, travel, equipment, hosting, and keeping this growing archive accessible.

Music by Sonican

https://pixabay.com/users/sonican-38947841/