Marie LeBaron is a household name when it comes to craft bloggers. She is the founder of the site Make and Takes. Just as the name implies it is a site full of everything from DIY projects for adults and kids to party ideas and travel tips. Marie has most recently started channeling those 12+ years of working in the craft industry into a new endeavor as a creative life coach. Her company Creative Flow Life Coaching is aimed at helping others find their creativity and spark deeper connections in their lives. I can’t wait to taco all about it this Tuesday!
Website: Make and Takes + Creative Flow Life
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1) What is the best advice you could give someone about the business of being creative and the creativity behind running business?
Step back and take it all in. Every little thing. I often forget how amazing this world of creativity is that we live in. I feel so lucky to be a part!
2) Do you have a favorite place to go for business advice? Mentor group, book, website?
I’m a part of a few different facebook groups and it’s been so helpful. There’s something about being in a thoughtful group of people where they are willing to share, not feel any competition, and they offer real advice. It’s inspiring and makes me want to go in and share too, asking questions and offering answers as well. Right now I’m in a few groups that are Seattle women owned business based. If anyone reading is nearby, let me know and I’ll add you in!
3) Besides Creative Queso what are your favorite podcasts?
I’m a regular at Dear Handmade Life. I love Nicole! I’ve also just found Vickie Howell’s Craft-ish. And I’m a huge celebrity nerd and love Chris Hardwick’s ID10T podcast. He’s an excellent interviewer!
SIDE NOTE check out these episodes of the Creative Queso podcast with
4) How do you prevent creative burn out?
I either get outdoors, go on a drive, or attend Dance Church. If I can move around, getting out of the intensity I sometimes give toward my creativity and just simply play, it helps to shake things up and I can come back and give my full focus again!
5) What is something your business could not live without?
Other humans. When I started out, like most of us, I was blogging online all alone. It was when I started to attend conferences (My Creativity Has Been Sparked Through Connection) and meet ups or as I’ve transitioned over to my 1-1 coaching and creative workshop model, that I realized how much I rely on human connection and community. It’s a lot of what drives me to move into my Creative Flow Life work, because I want to continue to create connection and gathering in a deeper way, really seeing each other!
6) What are some of your favorite Instagram feeds?
- @celestebarber she’s hilarious
- @bodyimagemovement is very inspirational and empowering for just being you.
- I really love following all the @queereye crew
- @thejealouscurator is always sharing ridiculously amazing creative work from around the internet
- @emilyonlife & @emilymcdowell_ speaks to my soul with her fabulous words.
7) Tell us a piece of surprising trivia about yourself or your business.
I’m not a late night crafter. Mostly because I’m obsessed with a good night sleep. I’m usually in bed by 9 or 10pm, haha! And if I travel, I take my own pillow along!
8) Do you use a paper planner full of stickers and washi tape or are you a Google calendar kinda guy or gal?
I’m both! I love having a notebook at the ready with gel pens in my bag. I’m always hit with little nuggets of inspiration on the go and need to write them down. But I’m absolutely religious about using Google calendar and Google drive to keep my life organized!
9) When you are working do you listen/watch podcasts, music, audio books, Netflix or do you like dead silence like a total weirdo?
10) If I came to see you where would we go for queso?
Fonda La Catrina in Georgetown, just south of Seattle. Add in chorizo and we’re golden! Get yer buns up here and let’s go!
If anyone would know a thing or two about coaching a person into finding their creative side it would be the amazing Marie LeBaron.
