I don’t need all-new supplies each season, but do find Autumn to be an excellent time to look around my life, assess my creative materials, repair, maintain, and re-supply as needed. For me, this is mostly back-to-school style writing tools, arts & crafts supplies, and dance gear, but also vehicles to transport me on my commute, meals and snacks to nourish me, and other key support structures that keep my life running in the very full days of the harvest season.
The Artist’s Tools Audit is my way to romanticize needed adulting maintenance tasks and refresh my sense of being well-resourced for productive and demanding times.
Before Winter Comes
On the heels of my Whimsical Summer Arts & Crafts Camp in July and August, I created a new journal spread in my seasonal book about the tools and materials I was taking inventory of in September and beyond, what needed maintenance, repair, replacement, or re-supply:
Dance Gear
Creativity for me centers around dance research and teaching artistry, and this year I once again will do the most dancing in quarter four, so this was the first place to look in my Artist’s Tools Audit.
Ballet Basic Kit
The “big news” is new pointe shoes, but I also surveyed my leotards and leggings, tights and socks, ballet slippers and so forth, then sewed up some holes and noted what I might like to replace or add to the (purposely minimal, but much-used) collection.
Pointe Shoes
Long have I desired to get some new pointe shoes and play ballet on my toes again after many years. I’ve been teaching, but for that I haven’t needed them, but still my dancing heart had this wish.
For my birthday this year I received a gift certificate for a new pair of Gaynor Mindens (my brand of choice), so I embarked on a journey of being re-fitted, preparing physically even as young dancers in my classes make themselves ready to wear these special shoes for the first time. First I scheduled and had a virtual fitting on Zoom, then ordered their recommended pair, and about a month later they arrived!
Oldest Dancewear
Bringing in a new pair of pointe shoes and ballet tights to go with them, I continued taking stock of my artistic tools and supplies. In the process, I came to appreciate what has provided reliable service over the long term, what could use a little loving maintenance, and what I may wish to replace or pick up.
A few of my favorite dance essentials have long outlasted my expectations with heavy use and the passage of time, especially with a bit of care and repair:
Dancers, companies, and artists have long understood the need to economize, and we have learned to romanticize this thrift that sustains creative expression.
Sewing Kit
For dancers, artists, and crafty, self-reliant DIY folks, sewing tools are essential, and I used mine to attach ribbons and elastics to my pointe shoes and do some mending:
Creative Notebook System
In Notebook & Supply Lineup – Analog Journaling System for Reflection, Memory, Planning & Creativity, I include videos and articles about the evolution of my system of journals, pocket notebooks, annual and seasonal books.
There is also a playlist on my YouTube Channel with current tools in use over time, including my EDC What’s in My Bag video, Peek in my Pen Case Ditty Bag – Writing Utensils & Supplies video, EDC Emergency & Cosmetic Kit – Everyday Supplies video, and EDC Creative + Journal Kit – art supply pouch video.
2027 Notebook, Journal, Planner Thoughts
You’ll see stationery, writing utensils, and I also discuss my anticipated notebook/journal/planner system for the year ahead. It is “planner season” and also in quarter 4 apt to start reflecting on 2026 and considering how to resource creative practices in 2027.
Recently I filmed a video some new supplies I picked up to take me into the Winter and my proposed notebook and journal lineup for next year:
Reviews & Reflections Playlist
For further behind-the-scenes insights into how I use my books and my reflective process, I have been recording monthly, quarterly, and annual reviews which involve a flip-through of the period in my books, favored materials, glows and grows. These regular reflections too have their own playlist:
Resources for Further Exploration
- What’s In My Bag
- Notebook & Supply Lineup – Analog Journaling System for Reflection, Memory, Planning & Creativity
- Packing List for Teaching Artist’s International Travel – 4 Layers System to Move Lightly and Creatively
- Oldest Dance Gear – Teaching Artist’s Basic Ballet Kit -Frugal “Underconsumption Core” Dancewear & Supplies
- Picking Personal Care Favorites – Minimal Cosmetics for Maximal Creativity in Chosen Media
- Over a Decade of Dance Notebooks – A Teaching Artist’s Journals of Class, Rehearsal, Performance
- Self-Care September – Practicing Exquisite Well-Being in Order to Serve
- Reflective Practice Through Journaling
- Bullet Journaling for Order and Inspiration
- Artful Archiving
- My Creative Morning Ritual
Questions for Reflection
- What creative supplies are you repairing, maintaining, replacing or picking up?
- How do you feel prepared for a busy season?
- What do you do for self-care in demanding times?
- How do you stay present to your values, priorities, and quests?
Now is a great time to align our resources and systems that we need around us, to feel well-supported going into the winter, New Year, and beyond.
Thanks for reading and making together in spirit or in fact, take good care of yourself until next time!
Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst
they/them or she/her
Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through difficulty
and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life