As the energy declines with the waning moon above, its easy to think that you’re just uninspired. But what’s happening is a need to move inward and be held. This time of the cycle is about creating space to explore where you go next.
The Seam is the container to hold creatives and small businesses as they find their way, as they figure out what’s next. Through affordable spaces to rent to amazing workshop and special event offerings, to the tattoo parlor that fills the 2nd floor, this space is truly a convergence of people, ideas and creativity. This also happens to be the space where April’s Modern Magic Creative Spark workshop will be.
Co-owner of The Seam, Robbi McGuire, sits down with me to talk about this amazing new space and it’s grand opening this weekend. Robbi is a mother, wife, baker, business owner, experience creator, and community curator. Born in Colorado, she is a fierce believer that people should be empowered to be their best selves, and The Seam is here to help make that come to fruition.
Modern Magic (MM): As always, let’s start off with how you define creativity.
Robbi McGuire (RM): Expression of your inner genius!
MM: Short and sweet. I love it. What was the vision behind creating The Seam, and how did you know this kind of container was needed in your community?
RM: I've had many previous "lives" between different entrepreneurial ventures or jobs with small businesses, and something that always stuck out to me was how expensive and difficult it can be for someone just starting out to simply find space to work, create, showcase, or sell their goods or services. There is so much hustle involved in trying to get a business or solo-practice started, and it can be a lonely, expensive, exhausting road. I wanted to change the scene and provide a different kind of space and opportunities for people to collaborate, feel seen, and find community and resources during that journey.
MM: This is especially true with the growing costs of everything and the booming real estate in Denver right now. The loneliness is also real. As a business owner myself and one of the leaders of the Entrepreneurship Club at a local small business in Denver, I see this first hand. But starting this business must be somewhat lonely too. Running a physical creative space is no small thing, on top of being a mother. What does your own creative practice look like, and how do you protect it while also holding space for everyone else’s?
RM: My 5-year-old daughter is often a source and fuel for my creativity. Spending time with her and seeing things through her eyes will often spark something new in my creative brain, or thinking up things that would be fun or interesting to do together or for her to enjoy. Now, to actually spend time planning something out or executing an idea that was inspired during that time together, I will make notes to myself either on paper or in my phone so that when I've got that alone time either at the end of the night or first thing in the morning, I can really sit with those ideas and create something from them. I also try to find something creative to do that's simply for myself at least once a month–whether it's going to a painting workshop, learning a new skill, getting a tarot reading, going to a restaurant with a creative menu, crafting, or exploring a new place–to feed that creative fire inside that keeps me inspired and motivated.
MM: All the different creative outlets you mentioned are so amazing especially because often these forms of creativity aren’t seen as such (except maybe the Modern Magic workshops!) But tarot, exploring, going to a new restaurant, those all count as participating in the arts. On top of that, there is a very creative outlet inside of The Seam, Dead Drift Tattoo. There’s something interesting about a tattoo studio sharing a building with healing practitioners and artists. How do those different energies coexist, and has that combination surprised you in any way?
RM: There is actually lot of similarity between sitting on a tattoo table and sitting on a therapy couch or massage table. Getting a tattoo is often even referred to as "ink therapy." You're choosing to express yourself, whether it's something deep and meaningful or just for fun, in the most visible and permanent way you can when you sit for a tattoo, and you and your artist are often sharing some very deep conversations. Tattoo artists can be great listeners, and they hold a unique space for you to just be still and totally vulnerable while you become their canvas. You find yourself healing during this experience when you find the right artist to help you express yourself visually on your body. So providing a space that offers different mediums for inner and outer healing feels really special and powerful. It's like a choose-your-own-adventure experience in a way. Need to talk about what's going on? We've got tattoo artists or space for talk-therapists! Don't want the physical pain but just someone to listen? Talk-therapy upstairs! Have physical pain, need relief, and don't want to talk about it? Massage-therapy upstairs too! Need to express yourself outwardly or commemorate something important to you? Tattoos on the second floor! The energies are really a beautiful mix and I'm honestly not surprised as much as I'm excited by it and thinking "why hasn't this all been combined all along?!"
MM: I never thought of it that way, but what a cool through line in all that you’re doing. It’s about release, letting go of what no longer serves you, connecting, and turning that into something creative. Speaking of release, Where do you find your spark when you’re depleted or stuck? Is there a practice, a place, a ritual that reliably brings you back to yourself?
RM: I thrive when I've had quality alone-time. I'm fiercely introverted, so when I get that much-coveted time just to myself to reset, meditate, daydream, or plan things out, I can just feel my creative-tank refilling itself. Conversely, I've noticed since starting things with The Seam that after hosting or experiencing a collaborative event there, I will go home and even though I'm tired from all the extroverting, I will have a new mental list of new ideas for the next event or collaboration or partners to reach out to. So I think a healthy dose of both introspection and experiencing is what brings me back to my spark.
MM: I’ve known you for a little while now and I don’t think I would have described you as an introvert because you are so passionate about making others feel seen and are up front in marketing your business but at the same time that totally makes sense. What do you hope people feel when they leave The Seam — whether they came for a workshop, a session, or just to wander through?
RM: I hope that people leave feeling inspired, cared for, and seen. Like they’ve found the spot where they can come to and create, connect, and hold space for themselves in whatever way they have been looking for. I hope they leave wanting to keep an eye out for what or who is coming to The Seam next to create an experience they want to be part of.
The Seam’s Grand Opening celebration is this Saturday, March 14 from 12-6pm. Come see the space, meet healing vendors, find food, and experience ink therapy first hand. This is a place where creativity blooms and community is found.
If you can’t make the Grand Opening, join me there on April 18th for a Creative Spark painting workshop.