Nicole Delma put down her cell phone and picked up her knitting needles to create something great, in the face of a global pandemic.
Mind Offline, a haven for creative souls, helps guide your inner artist (and your kid’s inner artist) to unplug and connect with yourself — and make beautiful things.
“All kids are creative. When I was 12, I sort of abandoned piano and my creative self for computers — and a part of me was lost,” said Delma, who credits “making beautiful things” with helping her stave off depression and anxiety. An activist and environmentalist who gathered over 750,000 signatures to petition Amazon to change their packaging to be more sustainable and who also in 2016 founded the Air, Land + Sea division of the Hamptons International Film Festival.
Delma says the producer part of our human nature originally kept us alive and able to thrive by compelling us to build tools and shelters, develop textiles, forage, till soil work with materials found in nature to make utilitarian devices.
“Our brains evolved and rewarded us with a deep satisfaction and sense of pride when we successfully made things.” Any artist or craftsperson will tell you about the contentment experienced as they look back at the results of their work. A sense of peace or happiness compels us to continue the creative process.
“Some people walk into the Mind Offline shop and fall in love with a hand knit sweater, a hand crafted pillow or a vintage dress, dyed with local vegetables. Many rediscover their inner artist.” Delma said her clientele rekindle passions they’d put aside, and start making beautiful things, or find new things to make that make them feel deeply satisfied.
“It’s wonderful to watch them open up, to see their joy at creating and also to know that when in the process they’re peaceful and not responding to the onslaught of the digital world,” she said.
From kits that you can turn into merino blankets and slouchy beanies and kits for botanical water colors, weaving and embroidery, to locally sourced candles and body scrubs, wood carved hearts, local wool and more, Delma is excited about the people who get started and just keep making more.
“It’s all about creativity. We also have theater and performance classes and experiences with Josh Gladstone formerly of Guild Hall and his wife Kate Mueth who founded The Neo Political Cowgirls,” she said.
Throughout the summer, Mind Offline offers a creative events for kids and families including ceramics, juggling, puppet shows, singing with local musicians, Goat on a Boat, break dancing, a Bubble Bonanza and more.
On June 4 at 5 PM, enjoy Mr. Pennygaff’s Cirkus Sideshow Spectacular, a juggling workshop and performance with the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. On Saturday, June 11, there are two shows for Jeff Boyer’s “Big Bubble Bonanza!,” a giant bubble comedy show. On June 18, a concert in the backyard with Telly will take place at 5 PM. On July 25 at 5 PM, Goat on a Boat Puppet Theater with Liz Joyce presents “Goldilocks & The Three Bears.”
For a full schedule and more information, visit mindoffline.co.