A reception desk with a sign that reads 'The Joyful Creative' in red cursive, a flower vase with pink and white flowers, a small white candle, and a pegboard background with books, a flyer, a tote bag, and a potted plant.

The Joyful Creative

At the Joyful Creative our belief is that creativity shouldn’t be a luxury, a performance or something reserved for ‘talented’ people. It’s a vital, human practice that supports wellbeing, connection and joy. In a world that often prioritises productivity and perfection, The Joyful Creative offers a gentler alternative: a place where making is about presence and play rather than outcomes.

Designed as a gym for creatives, The Joyful Creative encourages regular creative practice as a form of self-care. Through members’ only Create and Connect sessions and open monthly creative workshops, adults from all walks of life are invited to explore, play and build creativity into everyday life - no experience required.

The philosophy is simple: creativity is good for us. It helps soothe the nervous system, reduce stress, build confidence and foster meaningful connection. Whether you’re returning to creativity after a break or discovering it for the first time, The Joyful Creative offers a safe, non-judgemental space to make, connect and rediscover the joy of creating.

A woman standing indoors next to a pink table with a floral arrangement and a candle, with a wooden pegboard wall and potted plant in the background.

Meet Deborah

Creativity has been the quiet through-line of my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve spent over 35 years as a professional performer including 22 years as a lead vocalist with the Australian Army Band, performing around Australia and across the world. Music has led me to extraordinary experiences and a lifelong understanding of how creative expression can steady us and connect us with others.

Alongside my performing career, visual art has always been my personal sanctuary. From my teenage years I’ve been drawn to making with my hands, particularly textiles, later formalising this love through a Diploma of Art in Studio Textiles and Design from RMIT. In recent years, curiosity has led me to explore new mediums - digital art, watercolour, mixed media and simple pen doodles - not in pursuit of mastery or monetisation but for the joy, calm and clarity they bring.

This gentle ‘dabbling’ sparked a deeper question: what if creativity wasn’t something we saved for ‘when I have time’ but a regular practice for wellbeing? That question became the seed for my mindful colouring book, It Starts With A Heart, followed by Mindful Creativity Workshops, The Joyful Creative podcast and eventually, The Joyful Creative Studio - a space devoted to creative practice without pressure or perfection.

I’m a certified Holistic Creative Arts Therapist and Level 1 yoga teacher, and my work sits at the intersection of creativity, nervous system regulation and everyday joy. I believe creativity doesn’t need to be productive, impressive or Instagram-worthy to be valuable - it simply needs to be practiced.

I live in Canberra with my husband Tooley and our labradoodle Roxie (who you might see in the studio from time to time) We’re empty nesters now, and I can usually be found on days off enjoying my morning coffee surrounded by plants and sparkly things and listening to disco music while doing the housework — because creativity, after all, belongs everywhere.

FAQs

  • The Joyful Creative is a calm, joyful space designed primarily for adults. The environment suits those who can work quietly and independently, including teenagers who are  accompanied by a parent or guardian.

    Adult rates apply for 15 years +

    Babies and pre-schoolers are welcome to join their carers at Mums and Bubs sessions.

  • Due to the nature of the facilities and for the comfort of all Joyful Creative Community members, there are some activities we do not accommodate:

    • Oil painting

    • Sewing machines

    • Ceramics (air dry clay, yes)

    • Metal work

    • Anything noisy or emitting fumes (including cleaning substances)

  • Temporary storage of members’ projects may be available by arrangement, subject to available space. Please consider that while all care is taken, the Joyful Creative cannot take responsibility for loss or damage to personal items left in the studio.

  • Outside Create & Connect sessions the studio is available to hire for very reasonable rates. Please see our Space Hire page for more details.

  • The studio is stocked with fabrics, yarn, thread, beads, sequins, trim, buttons, knitting needles, sewing needles, crochet hooks, cutting mat, acrylic paint, ink, brushes, lead pencils, colour pencils, pens, markers, paper, scissors, glue, tape and other various bits and bobs which you are welcome to use during Create & Connect sessions. We ask that you only take what you will use during the session and leave the rest for others. Tools are to be left at the studio unless by prior arrangement. Supplies will vary as we restock and we can’t guarantee quantities to complete all projects. 

    If you wish to work on a project using specific materials, you are most welcome to source them yourself and bring them in.

  • Definitely not. We believe creativity is a path to wellbeing and joy for everyone regardless of creative experience or skill level. Just come in and have fun!

  • Well, both.

    If you’re an experienced crafter feel free to bring in your own project or help yourself to the studio materials for a self-directed activity. 

    We do offer a simple guided activity at every session for those needing some direction (or wanting to avoid decision fatigue!)

    There is no one-way to engage with the Create & Connect session - it is unique to you.

  • Yes you need to book into Create & Connect sessions through the booking page or download the Acuity Scheduling app to your phone.

  • Part of the ‘joy’ of the Joyful Creative is making connections, having a chat and a laugh while creating. That said, if your nervous system is screaming for some ‘you’ time, you are most welcome to zone out with head phones and create in silence. No judgement.

  • Of course. We provide herbal tea and some snacks but if you’re craving something different (hello coffee!) feel free to BYO. There are a few café options and an IGA close by.

  • Unfortunately, it is not. The studio is on level one of an older building with no lift.

    If you’re coming to a Mums and Bubs session with a pram, send me a text message when you arrive and I will come down and give you a hand!

  • No. Art therapy is administered by a tertiary qualified professional in a clinical setting. While I am a certified Holistic Creative Arts Therapist and our sessions can feel ‘therapeutic’ what we do here is to enhance general wellbeing rather than treating specific mental health issues. 

  • Simple. Join the membership, then download the Acuity Scheduling app on your phone so you can book into Create & Connect sessions for the week ahead. Members have access to all six sessions per week.

    Your membership will be recurring every month unless you cancel it. Partial months’ membership cannot be refunded.

  • We get that creativity ebbs and flows - and so does life. Membership pauses are designed to support genuine breaks while keeping the studio sustainable and welcoming for all.

    • Members may pause their membership up to 2 times per calendar year.

    • Each pause can be between 2 and 6 weeks.

    • A minimum of 7 days’ notice is required.

    • Membership discounts and benefits are not available during a pause.

    • Pauses cannot be backdated.

  • We hope you don’t! But if you do need to cancel you can easily do so through the confirmation email you received upon purchase.

    Once a billing cycle has commenced, fees are non-refundable. Member discounts and benefits apply only while membership is active.

  • Just the month you have paid for.

  • Yes! You can buy a casual session for $25 anytime or if you are a newcomer, try 3 sessions for just $30 (valid for 14 days).