creative courtship: objects of the heart

Say you have a crush on someone. Or maybe you're already a couple. Instead of sending her an email or calling him up, has it ever occurred to you to secretly fill her mailbox with tangerines or to dangle crayons from the tree outside his window? This project explores mediums of romantic conversation and connection. How might paying special attention to objects enrich the process of dating and getting to know someone? Or how might it make a long-going relationship more meaningful? I am gathering together a collection (see below) of creative approaches to courtship – to inspire us all to think outside of the "inbox" and remember that we live in a vivid world of color and texture.

Ways to participate:

• Create and share an idea for a creative courting activity that involves objects. Keep in mind that your creative activity will likely be much more meaningful if it is customized especially for the particular person who will be receiving it. See the guide for tips and prompts that can help you develope your idea. Or for more personal assistance, purchase a creative courtship consulting session in the shop. When you are ready to share your idea with this project, you can either send me something in the mail that embodies the idea and explains how it works, or email me a photo and description of the idea. If there is background information or context that makes your story more interesting, please include that as well. And if you have actually put the idea to use, I'd love to hear how it went. I will be adding some of your ideas to the collection.

• Try an idea from the collection – perhaps tweak it to make it your own. Consider starting a back-and-forth conversation and end your creative courting activity with an invitation for the other person to respond with one of her own. Good luck! And I'd love to know how it goes over.

My contact information:

Lea Redmond / Leafcutter Designs / PO Box 5358 / Berkeley, CA / 94705

leafcutterdesigns@gmail.com

the collection:

(click on an object for more info)