Seeds of Inspiration: A "Pinteresting" Conversation

"Mama, what's the point of Pinterest?" Amanda asked me last week.

"Well it's fun, and that's a pretty good reason right there."

"Okay. What else?" asked my seven-year-old, who has her own board full of rainbows, chihuahuas, and bunk beds on my page.

"I'm getting to know some of my friends better and making some new ones," I said, recalling that three of them over a period of three months had urged me to try the site that "allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web."

"Oh, I know!" she said. "You also get to figure out what you like."

The wise child took the words right out of my mouth.

Like "offline" vision maps, or treasure maps, as they're sometimes called, the pin boards offer clues to heart's desires, and they're also pretty good trip planners and botany instructors (I'm ready for my quiz on ranunculus and frangipani, Professor Nomenclature).

Words of wisdom and humor abound as well, and if you're crafty, you'll find a cornucopia of good ideas. And did I mention the colors? Mamma mia!

Can Pinterest be addictive and actually thwart creativity?

by Tena Holmgren

Like anything not used in moderation, it could be problematic. But overall, I'm seeing positive effects on creativity. For example, this picture Amanda pinned inspired a fun and simple art project now hanging in her room. And the photo above, which I took in Shakespeare's Garden last spring, has been making the rounds on the boards of fellow gardening fans, which moves me to create and share more images like it. 

What moves me just as much, maybe even more, are the "pintimate" and often poetic revelations on the boards. To share photos you admire or create is to share your soul. And to encourage others to do the same.