Well 2020 certainly has been an interesting/eventful/bizarre year, one which no-one could have ever imagined would happen, but it did (and some) and we got through it.
I won’t lie, it’s been really hard at times, and there have been lots of tears, even before the tiers came in, so I just wanted to take a moment to stop to reflect on what I have been able to do and think about what I want to do in 2021 to move forward.
I’ve been lucky in some ways, that lots of my existing dance projects have been able to continue. Granted, not in the format we are all used to (me teaching in person and interacting directly with everyone), but using new technology and methods of creating and sharing dance with people, all of which can continue.
Creative Re-Training?!?!
Mr Sunak’s suggestion that creative-types should re-train went down like a lead balloon within the creative world, myself included, but I think was probably a(nother) victim of bad wording. I had already decided, as a creative-type, that I needed to have a look at all of my creative skills and find other things to do for time-filling as well as potential income streams, so as well as developing my technical skills to get my love for dance out there, I turned some of my attention to my crafting skills, mostly sewing.
Here’s a few samples of things I’ve created, mainly as gifts for friends and family, but will be exploring how to expand things to be a reliable income stream… Get in touch if you would like me to sew something for you… abdance@ntlworld.com
Minion Bean Bag for Amelia 
Dance Jumper 
Embroidered Trouser Patch 
Winston’s Support Cushion 
Wedding Ring Cushion 
Dumbo Face Mask 
Topsy Turvy Doll 
William’s Toy Tidy 
Amelia’s Toy Tidy 
Theo’s Hero Cape 
Theo’s Hero Cape 
Winston’s Stocking 
Noah’s Stocking 
Mobile Phone Cushion 
Mobile Phone Cushion 
Mobile Phone Cushion 
Mobile Phone Cushion 
Mobile Phone Cushion 
Mobile Phone Cushion 
Stars Blanket 
Unicorn Blanket
Dancing
I will continue to dance and share my passion with others, in person or otherwise!
I joined forces with Kim from Funky Feet Music to create an online platform to help people in schools and nurseries to include more dance in their settings. There is a wide variety of dance styles with videos to support teaching and learning, plus choreography notes and a chart to help with observations and assessment.
You can find out more and sign up HERE
Get in touch if you want me to help you to include more dance in your settings. abdance@ntlworld.com
Happy New Year
I will sign off now, but before I do I just want to wish everyone out there a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Lots of love
Ali xx