The Power of Being Invited In

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what it means to be invited into a creative space.

An Emotional Energetic Exchange

It’s not just about the space itself, but the emotional and energetic exchange that happens when someone opens the door to their process. This act of invitation is loaded with meaning. It’s an offering, a gift wrapped in vulnerability and trust. And when that invitation happens in person, there’s a different kind of magic at play, a raw, visceral energy that can’t be replicated by a screen or email thread.

About Jayne

Recently, I had the honour of stepping into Jayne Emerson's studio, a space where raw, unfiltered creativity meets the beautifully intricate world of textiles. Jayne is more than just a textile artist; she’s a storyteller, a creator whose work transcends technique and explores the deep, almost spiritual connection between materials and meaning. Her membership in the No Rules Textile Society speaks to this, too. It's about community, collective energy, the generation of ideas, radical play, and the quiet moments where vulnerability becomes art.

About Courage

But let’s pause for a moment to recognise something crucial: the courage it takes for someone to open up their creative world to you. It’s not just the physical space they’re offering, it’s their process, their identity, and sometimes even their fears. To invite someone in is to reveal a piece of yourself that is, in many ways, still unfinished, still unfolding. It’s not a small thing.

When Jayne invited me into her studio, it wasn’t just about admiring the textiles she had created. It was about stepping into a world that she had carefully cultivated, a space where the act of creation itself is a deeply personal ritual. It was more than just a studio; it was a living, breathing embodiment of who she is and how she moves through the world. The cluttered corners, vintage suitcases under the desks, the raw materials scattered on the desk, the notes and sketches pinned on the walls, the unfinished pieces—it all spoke to the vulnerability of the creative process.

The Power of In-Person Support

There’s a certain energy in in-person collaboration with artists that is different, almost electric. There’s a rhythm to it. The back-and-forth conversations, the way you feed off each other’s ideas, the non-verbal cues that can’t be captured in text or over video. It’s a kind of magic that can only exist when people come together, physically, to share space and time. The exchange isn’t just intellectual; it’s emotional, energetic, and often transformative.

What followed in Jayne’s studio was far more than a "declutter." It wasn’t just about tidying up or organising—it was about finding space for something new. It was about making room for deeper exploration, for more honesty, and for something much more profound than a clean surface. It was a moment of stripping away the unnecessary, not just physically, but emotionally and artistically. What emerged from that space was a kind of clarity, a deeper understanding of what it means to create, to share, and to trust the process.

Be Open To The Magic

In a world where we’re constantly hustling, constantly performing, we forget what it feels like to pause, to trust the vulnerability of sharing a space with another person, to let ourselves be seen in all our messiness. But when we do, when we allow ourselves to be invited in, and when we open ourselves up to the magic that only happens when we are physically present, it’s like a spark ignites. It’s electric. It’s alive. And it is the truest form of collaboration.

Trust. Vulnerability. Presence.

These are the things that make in-person creativity so powerful. And when you step into someone’s space—whether it’s their physical studio or their heart—it’s not just about the work that’s made; it’s about the connection that happens in the process. It’s about honouring the courage it takes to show up and share. And when you’re lucky enough to witness that, you know you’re part of something far greater than just a creative endeavour.

If you're interested in receiving some in-person support for your creative space or home, then just drop me an email.