Creativity should be colorful and whimsical - Book Review and interview with wendy conkilin
PHOTO CREDIT: Abby Grace Photography
PHOTO CREDIT: Workshop: Hector Sanchez
PHOTO CREDIT: All others: Wendy Conklin, Chair Whimsy Facebook
I have always had a creative itch….something inside of me that longs for making something with my hands, designing something from scratch or repurposing and updating existing items. From making rock people when I was seven years old and selling them in my driveway (lemonade stands were so boring!), making jewelry and dried flower arrangements in my twenties, to painting and repurposing furniture and selling it in stores for over the past decade, I am never just content to not be making or creating something. Hence the reason for the dozens of art and crafting courses I have bought, subscriptions I have, Pinterest boards with hundreds of ideas and numerous people I follow who inspire me creatively. Which brings me to Wendy Conklin.
You may not know her by name, but you probably know her work. Wendy has a company called Chair Whimsy, where she creates one of a kind, colorful, whimsical chairs that make you feel like you have fallen down a rabbit hole to Wonderland and can’t help but smile. Whether you are a fan of bright colors and florals or not, these chairs are jaw-droppingly gorgeous and will have you imagining the place you would feature this work of art in your home. Because honestly, each one is a piece of fine art.
I have been following Wendy for at least a few years, as reupholstering old chairs and benches is one of my favorite things to do. I love all the choices of fabric and colors and how it changes the entire look of a piece. So when I found out and that Wendy wrote a book, Life Whimsy: How to Think, Play & Work More Creatively, I was all over it! And the fact that I could sit down for a conversation about her inspiration and other insightful goodies, I knew this was an opportunity I wanted to share with the Boho Blue readers.
Life Whimsy is a treasure of inspirational stories, insightful advice and colorful images wrapped up in a big floral bow. Wendy gives practical advice while allowing you creative freedom to express yourself how your soul wants you to…and to never stop to listen to the critics. She guides you through a journey to “unlock your creative thinking”, encourages you to “never stop playing” and to “choose your own work adventure”. This book is more than just a story of success, it is a playful life manual to encourage you to just “Be You”, one of the 3 principles here at Boho Blue. So, needless to say, we are a huge fan!
I had the amazing opportunity to delve a little deeper into the creative brain of author and chair guru, Wendy Conklin and hope that this inspires you to forge your own path on your creative journey and never stop playing.
You say that you should be creative in work, play, and thinking…which one do you think is the most important to express? Where should you start to embrace that creativity?
It begins with thinking. Thinking more creatively is the gateway to improving our work, play, and everyday lives. The easiest way to embrace thinking more creatively is to practice brainstorming when you need to generate a good idea or solve a problem.
What is your best advice for breaking through barriers in creativity, judgment, and negative beliefs? For example, you could have a really great, creative idea come to you and then slowly start to dismiss as stupid and give up before you even start…how do you push past that and at least try?
One way to gain confidence is to pitch your ideas to other creative people that you respect. They often will take your good idea and expand upon it while affirming that it is indeed a good idea. As you do more of this, it becomes easier to trust your ideas and try them.
Most of us are conditioned to have a 9-5 job and stability…and starting something on your own, especially in an artistic capacity tends to get received with a lot of judgment.
How do you deal with people, especially family and friends, who may not understand your vision creatively or in business?
There will always be people who doubt the potential success of a creative venture. However, when you demonstrate that it can be financially lucrative, it can help to silence the naysayers.
How do you learn to trust your gut, even when it is scary?
Surrounding yourself with people with whom you can pitch your ideas definitely helps at first. They will give you the confidence to act on your gut. As you practice trusting yourself, it becomes easier as you see the success of your past decisions.
You talked about your husband and your mentor you met with once a month as your support system to go for your dreams. How important do you think having a support system is, whether family, mentor, business coach, etc. when going after your goals and dreams?
It’s everything! If I had gotten a mentor earlier, I don’t believe it would have taken so long to get my business off the ground. I’m of the belief that everyone should have a mentor, business coach, or mastermind. Paying something for it adds the pressure to show up and get things done.
When you are feeling stuck creatively what helps to spark your imagination and get those creative juices flowing again?
It begins with setting aside quiet time to brainstorm. I form the question that I’m trying to solve. Then, I either go on a long walk recording my thoughts using voice memos or I spend time quietly in my shop brainstorming with fabrics for projects or markers and paper for ideas. It’s about being quiet and focused. Texts, calls, and emails are silenced to allow for a period of uninterrupted time.
If you weren’t designing chairs, what else would you want to do? Artistically or otherwise?
I would love to learn to paint. Also, gardening would be a large part of my day.
Where do you think your love of color and pattern comes from?
My mom always loved to decorate and used lots of color. I think that influenced me growing up.
What is your favorite color and why?
Right now, it is pink, but that has changed over time. As a kid, royal blue was my favorite, followed by red. Pink (in all shades) is a happy color, and everyone looks great in a pink room.
Out of the hundreds of chairs you have made, which one is your FAVORITE…and why?
That’s a hard question. Favorite chairs change over time, too. But if I had to pick just one, I tend to like a bright-colored floral with a hot pink check seat on a rustic French chair. I love the juxtaposition of the old against the whimsical.
Why do you think it is so important for your mood and creativity to have an environment that reflects who you are?
When you work in an inspiring environment, you create more innovative ideas. Spaces have the ability to make us feel happier. And feeling happier helps us be more productive and creative.
What is your BEST advice for someone starting out on a creative entrepreneurial journey? And how do you stay motivated through the stumbles and failures?
You need two groups of people. First, surround yourself with those who support your ideas. Let them be your sounding board. Second, find a small group of other motivated entrepreneurs who are also on the climb. Share ideas and support one another as you work to build your businesses.
How do you infuse PLAY in your life outside of your work? What do you like to do for fun?
I love decorating and making over rooms. That is my fun playtime. So it’s easy to infuse this into my work. I also love antiquing and vintage shopping. That gets me to imagining what the different pieces can become.
I LOVE the concept of the Chief Fun Officer…how do you infuse FUN into a job you may not be so passionate about?
It’s all in your attitude towards that job. With practice, you can train yourself to think of ways to make the job more fun. It is what you focus on that matters.
What is the most important lesson you learned on this journey?
The most important lesson is that you need others who will support you, but ultimately the buck stops with you. It takes hard work to make your dreams come true, but it’s so worth every minute you invest.
What inspired you to write this book?
I wanted to help others gain the courage to live their life with more whimsy…to see that it is possible.
Any plans for another?
Not at the moment!
What are the 3 key takeaways you want people to walk away with after reading Life Whimsy?
I want to emphasize that there are practical ways to train ourselves to think more creatively. With consistent practice, we can improve our ability to generate good ideas. Additionally, I strongly believe that play is just as essential to our well-being as work. It's crucial to make time for play if we want to experience happiness in our lives. Lastly, I hope to convey that job satisfaction is achievable, regardless of the type of work we do. Our attitude and approach towards our work play a significant role in determining our level of job satisfaction.
What’s next for you?
I’ll be doing a whimsical makeover on a 3-season camp in upstate New York!
We really can’t thank Wendy enough for taking time to give a little extra love to our Boho Blue readers and sharing some of her experience and wisdom. If you are not familiar with Wendy’s work, I encourage you to follow her on Facebook, Instagram or her other social media channels. Even if you don’t upcycle furniture or not a fan of bright colors and whimsical patterns, it will put a smile on your face just to see her creations. When I am scrolling and see one of her chairs, it is like a little beam of sunshine just got infused into my day…and who couldn’t use a little more of that in their lives!
And go get her book, Life Whimsy! It is one of my favorite books to date, and I have hundreds! I promise you will finish it feeling creatively inspired, ready to show the world, the rainbow of colors inside you! “Those with Life Whimsy are empowered to ignite their creativity, infuse their work with fun, and invigorate their life with joy. “
BBB - BOHO BLUE BEST
LIFE WHIMSY, By Wendy Conklin
We cannot recommend this book enough!
Whether you are looking for some creative inspiration, encouragement on a new business venture or just want to read about this successful badass woman who went for her dreams, Life Whimsy will leave you craving color and exploring your creative side.
“THE LIFE WHIMSY BOOK WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO RECAPTURE YOUR JOY AND LIFT YOUR SPIRITS, LIKE LICKING THE SUGARY RIM OF A REFRESHING LEMON MARGARITA.”
Life is short, so make it whimsical!
Wendy Conklin built her chair upholstery hobby into a multi-six-figure brand by breaking conventional rules and tapping into her own creative potential. Now, she’s sharing her strategies in Life Whimsy to help people bring more creativity to the way they think, play, and work.
Filled with inspiring photos and insightful advice, ranging from practical productivity tips to personal reflections about entrepreneurial life, Conklin’s playbook provides the key to unlocking one's creative genius, even if someone feels they have no artistic ability. It shows how to rejuvenate one's mind, body and soul through play, a particularly important concept for serious adults. And it outlines simple methods for infusing creativity into one's profession or business, even for those in a seemingly "uncreative" field.
Those with Life Whimsy are empowered to ignite their creativity, infuse their work with fun, and invigorate their life with joy.
For more information go to: https://chairwhimsy.com/book/
Available on Amazon.
