Now We Are Two!!

[Dan Goodwin]

On June 24th 2007, CCS was launched, and within a week we had, er, 5 members : )

Now, almost two years on, we have close to 550 members.

We've seen an amazing 117,000 visits, over 870,000 pages have been viewed, by over 31,000 unique visitors from 160 different countries.

There are now over 125,000 unique pages on CCS!

Despite these mind boggling numbers, we've still managed to maintain a friendly, supportive, passionate core community, of which I'm hugely proud and grateful.

So, whether you've been here two days or two years, please share some of your highlights, favourite moments and best loved experiences of CCS with us here as we celebrate our international creative community... : )

[photo credit: olyvia.meyer]

[jane]

congratulations CCS and well done Dan - i was your first member i think... so although i only dip in and out it is fabulous to see how the community has grown and how supported everyone feels here. It just keeps getting better and better...

its awe inspiring how many pages there are here now - no wonder i cant keep in touch with everything - dont know how you do it... guess you have to let some of it just ebb and flow like the tide....

thank you for everything you have done for us here, to inspire and motivate, to support and keep our optimism high... we couldnt have done it without you.

Happy Birthday CCS and everyone who sails in her.... j xxx

[Dan Goodwin]

Thank you Jane, it's down to the members who've kept the close community feel of CCS small and accessible rather than a sprawling mess that no-one can navigate and everyone gets lost in!

[Christopher Stewart]

Those are impressive numbers Dan, excellent work ! Happy Birthday CCS !

Best wishes,
Chris

[Dan Goodwin]

Thanks Chris!

[Lin Neiswender]

I've been so impressed by the pure LOVE that emanates from CCS members when I have needed encouragement during dark days or a good belly laugh when things are too serious, or a helping hand solving an artistic problem.

Community seems to be the key here at CCS, and that is all thanks to Dan who leads the way in that area. He has been unfailing kind and generous with his help and compassion. CCS has lead to a real Renaissance for me.

Since I joined, I have seen two dreams come true- publication of my writing and recognition of my art work. It never would have happened without CCS! Go Dan!!! Happy Birthday CCS!

[Dan Goodwin]

Lin, I just love reading things like this, words like community, renaissance, dreams coming true. Brilliant.

Well done you for how you've evolved, and thank you for your huge ongoing contribution to all our artistic lives...

[Manyfeather]

Happy Birthday.. good job.
It's wonderful when you create a place where people joyfully share their wisdom.

Smiles,
Donna

[Dan Goodwin]

Thanks Donna, it's one of the marvels of the internet that international communities can be formed online that have such a significant effect on our lives offline...

[Maureen]

Happy Birthday CCS! And congratulations, Dan! How exciting to be celebrating two years' proud.

Because of CCS, I have:
- written poetry again, after not writing for many years.
- made my first collage (well, I am almost done!)
- met other people who have chemical sensitivities, with whom I've been able to learn and share.
- found genuine friendship and community
- learned about The Artist's Way and other books about creativity and creative recovery
- learned how to doodle :-) -- now a favorite past-time for me
- been encouraged and supported in my new and fragile creative endeavors
- been able to offer support and encouragement to fellow creative souls

The list could go on and on! Because of CCS, my life has been enriched, and I am growing, healing, changing for the better.

CCS has also become a part of the family. The other day I was mentioning that the creator of CCS lives in London, and my 9-year-old said, "You mean Dan Goodwin?" I almost fell over! Several months ago I showed her around the site, and must have pointed out your picture to her. I couldn't beleive she remembered your name!

Thanks for all you do to make CCS a warm, inviting, safe community.

[Dan Goodwin]

I love it Maureen, I couldn't have written a better ad for CCS : ) You highlight not only what you've gained but what you've been able to contribute to others which is a significant element to an artist's life, so often overlooked... Thank you for your kind words and for being here...

[Susan Hosken]

dan, I was one of the first members and I have had a fabulous two years. It has been truly fabulous. I have learnt so much and gained some wonderful friends. I have lots more snail mail and my home is alive with creativity constantly inspired by CCS. I am so glad you decided to start this ning group and I am so glad the universe led me to it. I'd love to remember how i chanced upon it.
lots of love from susan in australia

[Dan Goodwin]

"my home is alive with creativity constantly inspired by CCS" - wonderful to hear Susan : )

Thank you for your great and ongoing input, your contributions have been a big part of what makes CCS what it is...