Make Memories provides creative workshops & handmade products to promote & maintain positive mental health for all, young to old.
My name is Leona Gallen, I live in Strabane at the foothill of the Sperrins in a beautiful rural location, wild and untouched, it has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
A perfect place for creative inspiration!
From as far back as I can remember I was coming armed with a tub of glue and plan in my head to create. Torturing my mother for all the empty washing up bottles and cardboard boxes to make my next masterpiece.
The love for designing and creating never really left me, but I had stopped making and creating for fun when adult life took over, and especially having a job where I was designing all day, it just didn't appeal as a hobby anymore.
A combination of events led me to finding my way back to art again and I realised this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my career and for my own mental health. In the words of Mark Twain:
'Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.'
The Benefits of Art For Positive Mental Health
Why take part in arts & crafts?
Typically, when we were children we were encouraged to be creative,
why should that change when we are adults. Real life is stressful, we need to take some 'me time' to self-care and look after our mental health.
Whether you're a first-time artist, or an expert, there are endless benefits to continually pursuing your inner artist. Creativity shouldn't just be for professional artists or those with free time, creativity is for everyone, but more importantly, it's essential!
Some people feel that in order to consider yourself a real artist, you have to create something magnificent such as a sculpture or painting. Others believe that you either are born with artistic talent or you’re not. However, every one of us is born with the ability to express ourselves. Art is a wonderful way to achieve this, especially in terms of our mental health. You don’t have to produce a masterpiece, it’s all about the experience and process of making which helps promote positive mental health on the brain.
Here are just some of the mental health benefits of art.
Art Relieves Stress
Taking part in an art activity provides a distraction that will give your brain a much needed break from all of your usual ways of thinking, helping to focus on one thing.
Art Helps To Encourage Creative Thinking
Art doesn’t require a correct answer, you come up with your own type of solution and further stimulate your brain with this type of creative thinking. This is a great way to inspire creative thinking in children and adults alike.
Art Helps To Boost Self-Esteem and Offer a Sense of Accomplishment
Displaying a child’s artwork can boost their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment, doing the same with your own artwork can create the same type of effect, no matter what our age!
Art Encourages Brain Activity
Whenever you engage in any kind of a new activity, your brain begins working to
create connections between all of your different brain cells. In terms of creating art, this helps to stimulate all sorts of connections between various portions of your brain, it’s like exercise for your mind. Art has been shown to enhance factors such as memory
and cognitive abilities, especially in those who suffer from cognitive decline
in conditions such as dementia.
WORKSHOPS
Doodle with Drinks is a sip and paint experience, all about unleashing your inner artist, drink in one hand brushes in another. An ideal team building experience, hen party activity, big birthday celebration or just making memories with your friends for a few hours of 'me time'.
A standard session will include:
- Complimentary drink on arrival (non alcoholic options are also available)
- Depending on the venue, you may be able to bring your own bottle to help you create !
- Guidance to complete a masterpiece in two hours to take home with you
No experience necessary, full written instruction given and guidance through the session. Each workshop has a specific image, everyone paints from the same sample, but everyone will have their own unique creation!
Prices begin at £20 and will range depending on the venue & the type of session, bespoke packages can be discussed. A small deposit required to secure your place on booking.
See FB & Instagram for current classes
MAKE MEMORIES ART CLUB
For anyone aged 10 year old upwards, we meet in The Painted Pig, Dock Street Strabane. £5 per session all materials are provided each with with a snack and drink included.
At the age of 10, most kids are making the transition to post primary school making new friends and experiencing new challenges. Some can cope well with this, others may find it more difficult to adjust. Not all children like or are good at sports, dance or drama, so I decided to start an art club for those that have an artistic talent and need an outlet.
Hobbies allow children to tap into their inner passions and talents while allowing them to understand all that they enjoy and are good at. This helps them build confidence and self-esteem, apart from giving their mind and body the much-needed stimulation away from screens.
See FB & Instagram for current classes
Make & Mingle is a s monthly craft class, covering different art techniques over a cuppa and have a chat.
The main purpose of this group is to give people the opportunity to try a new skill, meet new people and find confidence in themselves again.
COVID changed a lot of peoples lives and routines. Other factors such as an illness, recovery, parenthood or moving to a new area has meant a lot of people are feeling alone and would love a chance to socialise in a relaxed setting, with no pressure or judgement about coming by yourself.
No experience necessary, there will be guidance through the session. Pre-booking required and a fee at the session to cover materials and refreshments
See FB & Instagram for current classes
PRODUCTS
Some of the Make Memories range...
Parent Decision Coin
Parent decision coin, an ideal quirky baby shower gift
Personalised Worry Box
Personalised Worry Box, design can be left blank to colour yourself. Place your written worries or a drawing in before you sleep to send them away from your thoughts. Ideal for children experiencing fears.
Worry Box
Worry Box (Blank)
Sometimes you need to practice what you preach! Trying to follow my own advice to maintain positive mental health, behind the scenes I design, create and experiment. I use this as a self-care technique, it's important to stay aware of your own mental health, especially in today's crazy times! I mainly work in wood burning and quilling.
I create items to help with self care and personalised gifts, I try to make each commission unique, so no two people will ever own the same piece of art. If you have an idea just get in touch to discuss.
