Skip to main content

What is a Maven?

Yesterday on the local radio station I heard them talk about being a maven, but they had no idea what that meant. That gave me the idea for today's post.

I call myself a 'creative maven', a Jack no Jill of all trades. I grew up in Switzerland where in grade 1 I learned to knit and crochet and then over the years to embroider, sew and more. Eventually, I had the opportunity to learn metal work, I learned working with wood by watching my dad. My learning style is monkey see, monkey do.

So what is the meaning of maven? It comes from the Hebrew word 'mevin' to understand and when you have mastered something you really understand it and become an expert, a maven.

Comments

Unknown said…
I am themerchantmaven.com

I recently began a blog and some folks seem to think that "a maven" is a woman? I am not a woman, but a vibrant, masculine man.

what are your thoughts?
marliescohen said…
Sorry, I only just now discovered your comment.

A maven is not gender specific, it is accomplishment specific. A master in any field is a maven. So according to that definition, you can also be a maven if you are very knowledgeable in your field.
Anonymous said…
I know I am a maven, the word feels like the right description for me.I used to be in PR and I study a great deal so I know all sorts about all sorts.
After reading your blog I considered which kind of maven I might be and settled on Feminine Wisdom Maven.
Thanks
Gina
marliescohen said…
Congratulations Gina I am happy that you discovered that you are also a maven.
Andrew McGivern said…
My understanding of the word maven is similar to what everyone is saying. But in addition to being an expert in a field or topic, a Maven also has a desire to share knowledge with the world.

I host a podcast with Bob Garlick called "The Bunker Project" where we give our guests a Maven Name which usually relates to their area of expertise. And we just started a new show called "Maven Interviews" where we interview Mavens from around the world. People who are passionate about the field they have mastered and love to talk about it!
Anonymous said…
A magenta is also a slang term for knowitall.

Popular posts from this blog

Sleep Tip from the Mentalist TV Show

I like watching the Mentalist TV show and yesterday I got finally around to watch my latest recorded show. To my delight and surprise Patrick Jane's character gave this tip to help you fall asleep: If you have falling asleep you can count sheep or on your in-breath say or think 1 and then when you breath out say or think 2. On your next in-breath say or think 1 and when you breath out say or think 2. Keep on repeating this and you will be surprised that when you wake up it is morning. Give it a try and then connect with me on Facebook and let me know what happened . . . counting sheep

How to Make Simple Square Foot Gardening Templates

backside of template with holes drilled I am just about ready to start planting my square foot garden . Until now I have used string and sticks to mark things, but then I got an idea of how I could easily make some templates from old plastic election signs. The material was easy to cut with a knife and a permanent marker would help with the design. At first I thought that I would need a whole bunch of templates, but as I got going I realized that I could actually get away with only 2 templates. First cut 2 12x12 inch pieces from the plastic signs Draw a grid:  template 1: 3 rows and 3 columns template 2: 4 rows and 4 columns Mark the center of each square of the grid by drawing diagonal lines Use the electric drill and a ½" drill bit and drill a hole at each center point. Template 1 Template 1 Grid of 3 row and 3 columns (9 plants - holes circled in blue) This can also be used for 1 plant per square foot (hole circled in black and then blue)

Companion Planting Chart

Have you ever heard of companion planting ? Wikipedia explains it very nicely: Companion planting is the planting of different crops in proximity (in gardening and agriculture), on the theory that they assist each other in nutrient uptake, pest control, pollination, and other factors necessary to increasing crop productivity. Companion planting is a form of polyculture. Companion planting is used by farmers and gardeners in both industrialized and developing countries for many reasons. Many of the modern principles of companion planting were present many centuries ago in cottage gardens in England and home gardens in Asia. Check out this helpful chart to find the benefits of companion planting: Let me know if you found this information helpful and write a comment.