by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by Conger Design from Pixabay)
Tonight we have to turn off the Christmas lights. Sigh!
It all happens too soon.
I’ll always wonder how, for one of the longer months of the year, December just seems to rocket past us. The first…the fifteenth…Chrismas Eve…and suddenly, it’s Twelfth Night. ZOOM!!!
How do we keep the magic going, as we wrap up Christmas season 2024?
Here’s what works best for me.
(Royalty-free image by M from Pixabay.)
Doing something new–preferably something a little “scary”.
This year, I resolve to help with an online event that’s totally new territory for me.
I’ve never hosted in VR before, but I’ll plan on committing and doing this. Yay! And yikes!
(What are you doing that’s scary-fun, new for you?)
Community events
Long Beach has a bunch of these, that are a lot of fun. Two “favorites”:
(Festival of Human Abilities, 2020.)
- The Festival of Human Abilities, coming up on January 26th at Aquarium of the Pacific, featuring the talents of artists with disabilities (love their workshops especially!
Bulldog Beauty Contest, 2018.
- Anything created by community activist/Long Beach “Chief Inspiration Officer” Justin Rudd. His nonprofit “Community Action Team” will host the “Bulldog Beauty Contest” on Sunday, February 16th, and this is just one of more than 60 imaginative, warm-hearted and community-minded events they host throughout the year.
Crafts events
Exciting news–talented artist/entrepreneur/fantastic events person Nicole Stevenson has a rebrand! She’s now “Nicole Stevenson, your creative mentor”, according to her new website–AND she’s offering free masterclasses on achieving your creative goals, January 16th and 28th!
And she’s also still hosting the special events for which artists and creators know her best. Her “Patchwork Show Modern Makers Festival” will soon post Spring 2025 dates, for shows up and down the state of California.
In addition, her “Craftcation” creative conference happens in Ventura, April 23-27th, with registration open now.
And, another favorite? Jackalope Arts.
While their website doesn’t yet include information on applying for their shows, their next one is listed in Pasadena, April 26th and 27th in Central Park. This is one of the more innovative and fun craft shows I’ve seen, and they also have shows scheduled for Burbank, as well as in Minneapolis and Denver.
And, I haven’t even said a word yet about great books!
(Royalty-free image by Lubos Houska from Pixabay.)
For 2024, Alix E. Harrow’s Gothic Starling House was a real page-turner–and one I’m looking forward to reading again.
Now, how about you? What are the “magic elements” you’re taking with you from Christmas season 2024, as we go forward into the New Year?