How We’re Going to Save the World

The journey of the Hand Painted Cups is more than a few years old. In 2011, I painted some wine glasses and ball jars for a friend’s wedding. I’ve always been that “creative friend” who loves to contribute, but this was my first attempt at painting glass and expecting it to be worth a damn. My friends were so excited about them, as was I, until midway through the evening the bride came up to me with the paint falling off her cup!! Turns out condensation really tests the dryness of the paint and I clearly hadn’t let these dry long enough. There’s actually a “curing” process I’ve learned since, that, while not foolproof (especially on glass), I can pretty much guarantee my paintings will stay in place now.

A few years ago these same friends built a beautiful brand new home and we were invited to stay for a few nights while visiting. I’d saved a handful of the really ruined glasses from the wedding in an effort to remember to fix the product by way of replacement or even somehow fixing the very same glasses. I learned that five or six years is long enough to let the paint really permanently dry. Ha! Fixing them was out of the question, but I was determined to replace them with a new set of glasses. I began exploring (thank you Pinterest!) with a new technique - markers (instead of brushed paint) and a baking process that really cures the designs to be permanent. This fresh technique really opened a lot of creativity in me, especially at a time when motherhood had overwhelmed my creative spirit. The technique also translated into seasonal ornaments and a collection of designs I’ve repeated on countless pieces of glass, wood, metal, and any other miscellaneous paint-able surface that makes its way into my studio.

Painting everything I can get my hands on, turns out, is directly inherited from my late maternal grandmother (Granny Bob deserves her own blog post, stay tuned). It can often lead to some big ideas, and also a cluttered studio. As for cups, and the ability to easily order cups on my website, the reasoning and rationale of this offering is a bit deeper than my inner child (ancestors?) wanting to decorate and paint pretty things.

I also want to save the world.

You know… “leave it better than I found it” and all the eARTh consciousness cliches that you probably also thought (and embodied) in grade school. Something happens as we grow up where they became back burner (hence cliches) and eventually assumed far-fetched and impractical as we went along and checked all those boxes that tell us we have a “successful life” and “happiness”. In recent years, I’ve found myself asking if those boxes were ever actually mine to check. Or are they some form of delusion promising so much more than they’d ever provide? Either way, I’ve been persuaded to believe that I’ll never be able to “save the world”, so why would I even try?

I understand that to most, “saving the world” sounds exhausting, overwhelming, and logistically impossible for one small person to do. But for real... I’ve grown to take this mission quite seriously. Personally, I’ve chosen to focus on small actions that become habitual and have a large ripple effect. Things like picking up pieces of trash when I see them, walking and biking when the car isn’t necessary (we also have an electric “buggy” for our island travel). I’ve collected hundreds of reusable grocery bags and can’t remember the last time I accepted a plastic bag. I rarely use straws or single use cutlery when possible (yes, sometimes I actually travel with a full table setting - cloth napkin and all). Then there’s the probably obvious at this point - reusable cups.

If you know me in person, you know I always have a cup with me, sometimes two or three. I carry water with me everywhere I go, that’s in the big cup, sometimes with a backup water bottle. Then there’s the drink cup. You decide - coffee or cocktail? It doesn’t matter to me what you think is in mine, or what you choose to fill yours with. All I know is that with each choice to use my own cup, one less cup goes into a landfill. I’m all about decreasing the need for that plastic and styrofoam crap. It’s not always possible (which plenty of people like to point out to me), but every single time we make that choice, it makes a difference. It’s more like, because “saving the world” is going to take a collective effort, I’m focusing on my individual efforts. The “ripple effect” is real. When you see me using my (beautifully painted) cup frequently enough, you’ll make that choice in your life also (if you haven’t already).

So… introducing the newest Rather Be Creative Collection - Hand Painted Cups - an obvious product to focus on and offer as a way of collecting one-of-a-kind artwork by yours truly. I feel so blessed and honored to be bringing this to the world. The offer is beginning with a sampling of six (6) designs and three (3) cup options. As my stock of cups evolves, and my personal style develops, more designs and cup options will be added. Each cup is painted upon ordering and, while the basic design is followed, every single cup is painted in the moment and is completely unique. I can customize with names, dates, phrases or specific conceptual design aspects like adding a hat, or shifting the color palette. I can also work with Collectors to paint groups of cups or perhaps a selection of cups that you already have (already bought quantity from Amazon? No problem). I love engaging with my Creative Collectors through social media (Instagram here) or directly, via email. At this point, specific design requests outside of the six options available will be considered “Commission Work” and are subject to my availability. I love to hear from you, so contact me with questions and design ideas, and please also understand that I only make so much room in my calendar for special requests.

I’m so excited to be bringing this offer into the world! I’ve been casually painting cups for over three years now and I’m proud to be finally bringing them to my website and officially available for order. This is a project that will evolve over time, which makes it really special. As you decide to join me in my mission to “save the world” with your beautifully custom painted cup, we’ll begin to see older and older editions of cups become relics (hopefully still in rotation!). I’ve kept my very first painted water bottle with me for years and have intentionally tried to beat it up just to see how well they wear. I’m thrilled to think that you’ll do the same and come around in a few years to order another to freshen up your accessory. Not only will we collectively create less waste in the world, but we’ll also create MORE beauty by sharing the unique, hand painted images when we use them.

From the bottom of my heart, I am so grateful for your participation in this effort to both Save the World AND bring more beauty to our lives. Together, not separately, we will accomplish the once-diminished goal to leave this place better than we found it. Thank you.