A Year of Creativity

One of my favorite series here on the blog is Creativity Over Coffee. I believe we are all creative and we are born with that desire and need to create, but perhaps over time we don’t tap into that desire to create. Let’s talk about a year of creativity!

I’ve had a pretty slow start creatively speaking this year. Luke and I started the year off with COVID (our first time having it) and my mom’s just had knee replacement surgery so I’ll be helping her out for the next couple of weeks. Has your year gotten off to a slow start too?

I thought it might be fun to revisit all my friends and their creative passions from 2023 – the year of Creativity Over Coffee. I brought this series back after a year and a half hiatus. I missed it and you missed it and I’m so excited to interview more of my friends in 2024!

Year in Review – Creativity Over Coffee 2023

I’m so inspired by my friends! It’s my hope that hearing their stories, their challenges, their dreams you’ll also be inspired.

Michael F. Dubois / Dream of the Woods

Our year started of with this amazing and inspiring chat with Michael creator of Dream of the Woods. He is such a gentle soul and has such a beautiful way with words and imagery.

We talked about fatherhood, his practice, his mother, and his life’s journey so far.

Favorite quote:

Make bad art. Make bad work. Waiting for the exact right moment, or feeling, or for a perfectly formed thought is one of the quickest ways to find yourself in a creative block. I should know, I’m constantly struggling with this exact thing. Make bad work, because what follows is usually better work, and then better after that.

michael f. dubois / dream of the woods

A Favorite from his line:

I love this poem he wrote for his mom, Be The Ocean Poem and coffee table book.

Kerry Kip / Minot Candle

Spring started with a chat with my favorite candle maker Kerry Kip creator of Minot Candle. I love her non-toxic slow burning candles.

We chatted about what it was like to start her business during a pandemic, her favorite scents, and what’s on the horizon. Later in the summer I had the opportunity of visiting Kerry’s studio – see more here.

A Favorite Quote:

Our love for the water and nature’s pure beauty inspires the brand and our scents. We believe that water and fire have natural, powerful, calming effects and want to share this bliss with our community.

Kerry Kip / Minot Candle

My personal favorites from Minot Candle:

Cliffwalk, Wild Meadow and Summit. Kerry is offering my readers 10% off online use the code: “DANIELLEFINDING” or click here.

Jenna Sammartino / Driftway Designs

Jenna creates such beautiful pieces of art with resin. I was fascinated to learn more about her process and how she started Driftway Designs.

We chatted about her transition from nursing, her coastal life and family, and really went in depth about resin. Her work really captures the lap and churning of the water.

Favorite Quote:

 I am heavily inspired by the ocean, it’s ever changing appearance, its constant movement. Some days she is still and calm and others she is churning and unsettled. She is powerful, demands respect, and also gives back an abundance of peace, perspective and fulfillment. I am also inspired by my family, the people I love so much, the people I want to make proud. 

Jenna Sammartino / Driftway Designs

My Personal Favorites from Driftway Designs:

of course, her beautiful boards, but I also love gifting her salt boxes and heart dishes.

Elle Jarvis / H Cole

We celebrated summer with the hostess with the mostest! My friend Elle over at H Cole. Elle creates beautiful events and offers curated catering.

We talked about upcoming events, her crowd-funding campaing which was a success and upcoming plans for her business.

Favorite Quote:

Kindness inspires me.  I’m the type of empath that will weep a little in the grocery store when I see a teenager help an elderly person with their cart.  Coming home and building this brand after a 20 year absence was certainly not without a dose of imposter syndrome.  I have been inspired tide and tide again by the kindness of the new friends I have made here as an adult.  Mecca’s kindness will always be the north star for H COLE which is pretty inspiring in and of itself.  

Elle Jarvis / h cole

My Personal Favorites from H Cole:

Well, I love all of Elle’s events. I was lucky enough to attend several this year but I also LOVE her maple syrup and fried chicken.

Michelle Drake / Stonington Designs

We ended summer with a chat with Michelle Drake co-founder of Stonington Designs. Her and her husband make the most unbelievable mahogany hitch covers and she weaves gorgeous Nantucket style bracelets.

We talked about the project that started it all, what it’s like working with her husband and how their expanding in 2024!

Favorite Quote:

As far as a role model, I had a best friend growing up named John DeRubies. He was a visionary. He challenged both Rich and I to dream bigger and explore ways to make things happen on a large scale. He was killed in a plane crash when we were about 28 but his approach to life and business have really shaped how Rich and I see what is possible. He helped us break any limiting beliefs.  

Michelle Drake / Stonington designs

My personal favorites from Stonington Designs:

I love their hitch-covers and coastal jewelry. I also love that they’re now making SDJ Jewelry Maker Components.

Emily Russ / Emily Russ Ceramics

Fall began with this fun interview with my friend Emily. She is the founder of Emily Russ Ceramics and I LOVE all her coastal inspired pieces.

We chatted about clay, the struggles and benefits of being your own boss and also about all her pretty glazes.

Favorite Quote:

When people get nervous around clay I always remind them, it’s just dirt. Don’t be afraid! One of the reasons I love pottery so much is that there are so many different ways to approach it and they are all okay. My advice to someone looking to get into pottery is to take as many classes as you can. Like many hobbies or art forms, practice is key. With pottery, especially wheel throwing, having the opportunity to practice on the wheel and get a feel for the movement is really important. 

Emily Russ / Emily Russ Ceramics

My personal favorites:

I love Emily’s mugs and whale dishes.

Sara & Ashley / Easkey Right

My friends Sara and Ashley make the best products for aprés beach or cozy sweatshirts and hats for the colder winter months. I was so excited to introduce you guys to Easkey Right.

We talked about giving back, their favorite items and their inspiration, and really what living and working by the sea is all about.

Favorite Quote:

Our No.9 hoodie is our version of the perfect beach layer – one that is super soft and cozy. This popular design is the one with the nine beaches in our hometown. Each beach has its own personality and everyone has an affinity for a particular spot. Comfort is key with everything we make. Our goal has always been for our sweatshirts to feel like your old favorite from first wear. We want everything we create to evoke that feeling of classic comfort. 

Sara & Ashley / EAskey Right

My Personal Favorites:

I love the number 9 hoodie and Luke loves the Evergreen hoodie in Navy. I’m a huge fan of their pom pom hats. They even asked me to be their model!

Sarah Jean Gammon / Where Watermelons Grow

My favorite jewelry is always by Where Watermelons Grow. Sarah creates such beautiful, coastal inspired jewelry and we’ve been friends for a very long time. I’ve enjoyed seeing her business and family grow, so it was a real treat to end finish the year with this conversation!

We chatted about imposter syndrome, family life, how she named her business, and so much more!

Favorite Quote:

Coastal living inspires an active lifestyle. The beach, the boat, surfing, swimming, being outside, and on the move. When I think of the kind of jewelry I want to wear, I think about how it needs to function and look like it naturally belongs. Our line of jewelry is a reflection of a life well lived by the sea. In my designs you can find natural elements like genuine pearls, shells, and soft toned gemstones and then I pair it with high-quality materials to make sure it can hold up to an active lifestyle. 

Sarah Jean Gammon / Where WAtermelons Grow

My personal favorites:

I’m a huge fan of the blue point earrings, her permanent jewelry – you can see the bracelet I got here, the fleur cuff, the sand dollar bracelet and the hurricane chain. I pretty much love everything! She has generously offered my readers a forever discount when using this code:  SILVERPENNIES or you can follow this Where Watermelons Grow link.

Let’s Keep in Touch

Well, that was our year of Creativity Over Coffee! I hope you enjoyed this stroll down memory lane or you enjoyed being introduced to all these amazing creatives if you’re new around here. If you’d love to see a brand or creative you love featured shoot me an email danielle (at) findingsilverpennies.com!

Join our newsletter for access to exclusive content, our favorite projects, easy recipes, and fun tutorials. You’ll receive the best design secrets delivered directly to your inbox! Sign Up Here!