What Are Glimmers and How to Find Them in Your Creative Life

Life is full of little moments—some challenging and others uplifting. While most of us are familiar with the idea of "triggers," which can evoke stress or unpleasant memories, fewer people talk about their positive counterpart: "glimmers." Glimmers are those fleeting experiences that bring a sense of joy, calm, or connection. They are the sparks of positivity that remind us there’s beauty and peace to be found in everyday life.

Now, hold on a second. Before you dismiss this as some woo-woo notion, consider this: the next time you’re digging through your patchwork fabric stash, let yourself pause, breathe, and feel that joy when you find that one special piece, that perfect notion. That, my friend, is a glimmer!  It’s not some grand, world-altering event. It’s a multitude of small, joyful moments, each adding a drop of sunshine to our days. 

Glimmers are everywhere in crafting and creative work, waiting to be noticed. But what exactly are they, and how can they enrich your sewing, quilting, or other handmade endeavours?

What Are Glimmers?

A glimmer is a simple yet powerful moment that makes you feel safe, happy, and content. It’s as straightforward as hearing birds chirping outside, sinking into the warmth of a cozy quilt, or watching light dance on a spool of metallic thread. Think of them as the opposite of “triggers.” While triggers set off your fight-or-flight response, glimmers activate the “rest-and-digest” part of your nervous system, which brings calm, connection, and focus – the ideal mindset for creativity and self-expression!

Why Do Glimmers Matter?

In our fast-paced lives, we often rush past these joyful moments. Guilty as charged, I’ve been there! Over time, that can leave us feeling disconnected and exhausted. Glimmers help us slow down and reconnect with what feels good, body and soul. It's an ongoing tug-of-war, but I make a conscious effort to embrace the glimmers, particularly when I’m feeling overwhelmed or stressed.

When we notice and lean into these positive moments, we’re training our brains to focus on the good. It doesn’t mean ignoring life’s challenges. It’s about finding balance and building resilience. By appreciating the glimmers, we allow ourselves to feel safe and grounded, even amidst a busy day.

Finding Glimmers in Your Crafting

Now, let’s talk about crafting. The creative process is brimming with opportunities to experience glimmers. Here are a few examples that might resonate with you as a maker:

• The Texture of Fabric: You know that feeling when you run your fingers over a smooth linen or the soft fuzz of a cotton quilt? Deeply satisfying, right? I, for one, can’t resist the feel of patchwork fabric.
• The Joy of Colour: Choosing fabrics, mixing prints and colours for a project and watching it come to life, 100% glimmers right there.
• The Rhythm of Stitching: Whether piecing together a quilt or hand-sewing a yo-yo, that repetitive motion is calming and meditative. It's what drew me to hand piecing - the calming, dopamine-inducing rhythm.
• The Feeling of Accomplishment: Completing a project, no matter how big or small, can spark joy and pride. As can working on patchwork in progress.
• Community Connection: Sharing your work with others, whether in person or online, can create a sense of belonging and support. I love nothing better than geeking out on a new fabric print or a quilt design, vintage quilt blocks and sharing it with my patchwork posse. To be fair a new quilting notion can also set off the glimmers.

How to Cultivate More Glimmers

Glimmers are all around us, but it takes mindfulness to notice them. Here are some ways to invite more glimmers into your day-to-day creating:

• Slow Down: Give yourself time to savour the process rather than rushing to the finish line. Pause to enjoy each step of your project.
• Engage Your Senses: Pay attention to the textures, colours, and sounds around you while you work. What feels particularly good in the moment?
• Create Rituals: Light a candle, brew a cup of tea (tea is LIFE!), or play soothing music while you craft. These small acts can amplify the sense of calm and joy.
• Share Your Work: Post your progress online or talk about it with a friend. Connection often sparks glimmers!
• Celebrate Small Wins: Don’t wait until a project is finished to celebrate. Enjoy the little milestones along the way.

Glimmers in the Craftapalooza Community

At Craftapalooza, I believe that making is about more than creating beautiful things - it’s about finding joy and meaning in the process. Glimmers are part of what makes crafting special. Whether it’s the quiet satisfaction of hand-stitching or the thrill of learning a new technique, these small moments add up to a life enriched by creativity.

Next time you sit down to sew, quilt, or create, take a moment to pause and look for glimmers. They might be subtle, but they’re always there, waiting to brighten your day. You've probably experienced glimmers without even noticing!

Tell me what glimmers have you noticed in your creative life? I'd love to hear your stories in the comments!

Learn more about how to hand sew patchwork through my free Mini Masterclass in Handpiecing patchwork. Delivered to your inbox over three days. Includes written, pdf and video instruction and you receive the cutest house block.