Crazy Ideas for Inspiration

Sometimes when you need a little inspiration, the traditional ideas like taking a walk, reading a magazine, or taking a field trip, may take to long to get your creative juices flowing.

You may need to try something a that is quick, easy, and little drastic.

Check out this list of ideas. They are easy everyday thing that may help your brain create new combinations of thought, and result in a new idea.

Some of these ideas may seem kind of weird, but try one and see what happens.

• Wear colored goggles
• Put ear plugs in your ears
• Take off your shoes
• Smell flowers
• Blow soap bubbles
• Chew bubble gum and blow bubbles
• Raise both your arms for 60 seconds
• Look out a window and stare at something for 60 seconds
• Do 10 sit ups
• Hold your breath for 30 seconds
• Just close your eyes and relax

Make sure you have a pencil and paper close by so you can jot down thoughts and ideas as they come to you.  Don't evaluate what your write down, the point is to generate lots of ideas and explore different directions.

All these ideas are quick and easy. Give one a try anytime you need a quick boost.

What is the craziest idea you have tried to get a little inspiration?

Be Inspired - Crop Circles

Words to Inspire

“It's the circle of life, and it moves us all, through despair and hope, through faith and love, 'till we find our place, on the path unwinding”
Elton John

Ideas to Inspire

Google crop circles and see more amazing geometric shapes and designs.  Find a crop circle design that can inspires your next design.

Words to Inspire

Crop circles are pretty fascinating. I find their shapes and designs inspiring. I found these cool crop circles on Flickr and I hope they inspire you as well.


Crop-Circle-Wallpaper-_5 by Massimiliano


The Truth by christiangeo


Crop Circle by COLLTHINGS


Crop-circles by floralisse


Massimiliano Mitch

Your "Aha" Moment

A Thursday night back in the mid nineties I took a earring making class at my local bead shop. It was a lot of fun and I was totally hooked.

The next day I went out and bought tools, supplies, and lots of beads,  That day I started making jewelry and haven't stopped since.  

That earring making class was my "Aha" moment. 

At that time in my life I needed to find a creative outlet, and doing jewelry inspired me in many ways.  Still today creating jewelry inspires me, and I feel so lucky to have found what makes my creative spirit soar.

What was your "Aha" moment?

Motivation Monday

When you complete a goal or challenge you feel great. Success is energizing and a confidence booster, and the more you achieve the more you want success.

A great way to stay connected to your goals is to write down your successes.

Stay inspired and motivated by keeping a success journal.

♦ Use a nice journal that inspires you.

♦ Plan a few minutes before you go to sleep to write in your journal - when your done you can drift off to sleep in a positive mood. You may even awake with a solution to a problem.

♦ Don't sensor - write down everything, even the little things. Include thing in your business as well as your personal life. 

Keeping this kind of journal will be a daily reminder of your success, and give your the momentum to keep going strong.

What have you succeeded at recently that has motivated you?

Journal Prompt - Make Lists

You want to journal. You grab a cup of tea and your favorite journal, you find a quite spot to relax. You settle in to start writing and you just don't know where to start.

This can happen from time to time.  

Instead of just writing, create lists.

I write lists every night, about my business, books I want to read, my to do list, people I need to contact, even personal lists for me and my family. It has changed my journal process and now I enjoy keeping a journal.

Starting a list journal is simple, here are a few prompts to get you started: 

- what you did that day 

- ideas of things you want to do 

- places you want to visit 

- people you want or need to see 

- your favorite music 

- books you want to read  

You can get more personal and make lists of how you are feeling, what makes you mad or happy, things that make you feel good, as well as lists for your family. 

All your lists will be personal to you, and a great way to clear your mind.  This is a perfect way to get all the information our of your head and down on paper, with out the hassle of all the filler words. Adding pictures and doodles can personalize your lists and make them more fun.

Once your lists are complete you can review them anytime for ideas, or personal fulfillment.  

Feeling in a slump pull out your list of all the things that make you happy and try an idea that will make you smile.

Want more ideas for making lists check out author Lisa Nola for her variety of book on making lists. 

What kind of lists do you keep?

Bring the Outside In

Adding greenery through prints, paintings, and home accessories, offers a breath of fresh air to any room.

There are many ways to bring the outside in, and with lots of wonderful items to choose from on Etsy the ideas are endless.

Make your space feel bright and airy by adding a touch of green to your favorite space.

Globe Manzanita Forest Moss Terrarium

Leaf Array Digital Fine Art Giclee Print 6x6

8x10 Green Flower photo or poster print

Green Japanese maple pillow

Memories of Fall Hopes for Spring

Abstract Green Leaf Tree Tile Coasters Set

Antique Fern Art print 8X10 Blechnum spicant

How have you brightened up your space lately?

Check This Out...

This is a monthly post where you can share 3 things about yourself or your business. Giving us an opportunity to get to know each other and our businesses.

Suggested ideas:
-business goals or goals you have met
-books you are reading
-a new project you are starting or doing
-places you have visited
-blog posts you have enjoyed
-a post you have written that you would like to share
-new items you have added to your shop
-new materials you are working with
-family plans or an event you are excited about
-need help with an idea - ask for help

All I ask is that you are a follower of my blog to participate and that you check out a few links from the other people who leave comments.

Let me know if you have any suggestions,  ideas or questions.  You can contact me at additionsstyleblog@gmail.com.

Be Inspired - A Bridge

Words to Inspire

“Sometimes, if you aren't sure about something, you just have to jump off the bridge and grow your wings on the way down.”
Danielle Steel

Idea to Inspire

Take some photos of bridges in your area.  Try taking your pictures from different angles, or close up, a new perspective can inspire new ideas.

Photos to Inspire

My sister inspired this weeks post.  She was attending a training and they had an outing where they took pictures of bridges. She expressed how much they inspired her.

 As soon as she told me about her experience I knew bridges were going to be this weeks theme.  Check out these shots I found on Flickr.


Bridge of Aspiration by alex robertson


Rainbow Bridge by Kenny Maths


Bridge BW by Chris Coward Photography


Webb Bridge Melbourne, Australia by -yury-


Bridge - towards Carlton Hill by elemental Paul

Five Ways to Energize your Business

It's the time of year when business is not the only thing on your mind.  You want to spend more time out and less time working.

Here are five ideas to help you keep working even when you don't feel like it.

Focus on your passion - If your spending your time doing things you don't enjoy, it's time to come up with some creative ideas and inject a little creativity in your business projects.

Work with people you love - Invite family members or kids to your work space and let them create along with you.

Find ways to bring joy to your work - Redecorate your work space, walk around barefoot, or listen to your favorite music. Incorporate things you love into your space and your day.

Invest in yourself and your plan - Even on a tight budget, spend on things that will help grow your business. Invest in e-books, online classes, research new ideas in books from your library, or magazines

Show yourself some love - Don't forget to take breaks, have some play time, and celebrate your successes.

Working does not have to be all work and no play.  Enjoy your work time and love what you do!

What have you done for your business lately?

Motivation Monday

We work hard, and we have our daily projects and routines. There are times when doing those routines can feel like work and not the enjoyable creative work we want to do.

When our creative projects start to feel like work, it's hard to get motivated.

Need motivation?  Try taking on a side project.

Trying something new is always a great way for recharging your business and creative projects.

There are many options for finding a new project:

Teach a class

Write an article

Create something with a materials you have never worked with

Organize a local art show

Volunteer at an art opening

These are just a few suggestion to jump start ideas for your own side project.

I have added a couple of side projects to my working day that have recharged me and my creative process.

What side projects have you taken on lately?

Create a Word Toolbox

With so many words to choose from it can sometimes be challenging to find the right words to say what you want to say.

To make your writing experience easier, creating a list of words and phrases will inspire you to write more often.

Now your word toolbox does not refer to the words we carry around in our heads all the time. Instead it's a list of those words and phrases that are not as common or don't automatically come to mind when you are writing.

This is a project you can start today and keep adding to for years to come. Use a small or medium notebook just for your word list, and keep it handy.  You want to find it quickly when you are ready to write.

Start gathering word and phrases that make you smile, scare you, jump out at you, sound interesting, make you think, sound beautiful, invite images of action and stillness. These are just a few ideas to get you started.

Try these ideas for finding words for your word toolbox

Open a book to a random page and write down words. Let your eyes jump from word to word, find words that stand out for you.

Buy an old dictionary

Visit your library and look at a variety of books from different sections.

Use magazines 

Start today with a list of 25 words. 

Do your work with a word list?

Play in Your Garden

A garden is a good way to spend time relaxing and enjoying nature.

Try these ideas to make you garden extra special.

Paint Rocks - Use them as markers for your plants, or paint them to look like ladybugs. This is a fun project to do with kids.

Create banners - Add a little more color to your garden by putting your favorite quotes on fun colorful paper and have it lamented or use water proof fabric.  Add a stake and place them in your garden.

Plant an herb garden - They will smell good when you walk by, and you can clip them and add fresh herbs to your summertime meals.

Illuminate your garden - Add lights along the edge of your garden, or candles along a path.

Create a Zen Garden - All you need is a little bit of space, dirt, a few rocks, and a rake.

Don't have accesses to a garden space, all of these ideas can easily be done inside your home.  Add painted rocks and banners to a shelf or around potted plants. Place some herb plants in a bright sunny window. Add candles around your home, and use a plate or small dish and create a small zen garden.

Taking the time to enjoy your garden and create a beautiful space, will inspire you to spend more time outside this season.  So have fun and create.

What have you created for your garden lately?

Nurture your Spirit

I admit it I'm a workaholic. I work about 10 hours a day, I am always thinking about work, and I talking about work.

I'm lucky because I love what I do, and am very blessed that I have the opportunity to run my own business.

Sometimes I forget to do things just for me.  These days I am either working or helping my daughter get ready for her move to college.

When I do take some time just for myself to nurture my spirit I like to:

Sit outside on a nice day and do nothing
Read magazines and books
Take a drive with no destination in mind
Take a walk 
Go out with family and friends

One of my goals is to find time for myself to do something besides work for a few minutes everyday. I am still working on it, hopefully I will get better at it by the end of summer.

What do you do to nurture your spirit?

Be Inspired - Circles

Words to Inspire

“When our eyes see our hands doing the work of our hearts, the circle of Creation is completed inside us, the doors of our souls fly open, and love steps forth to heal everything in sight.”
Michael Bridge

Idea to Inspire

Take a day and create just using the shape of a circle.

Photos to Inspire

The circle is one of my favorite shapes, and today's collection from Flickr photographers showcases just how cool the circle can be.


Squared Circle Mosaic: Scaling Orange Center by krazydad / jbum


12/52 Images 2011 - Circles by Lovely Like Custard


Midsummer Circles by Richard Long by ziad 1


circles....círculos....circles....círculos....circ by # MaRY #


Untitled by Sandra Dalton

Artist to Know - Aelita Andre

I discovered a new artist, an amazing new artist. She has been compared to Jackson Pollock by the press and her visionary style to Salvador Dali and Wassily Kandinsky.

What is most amazing about this artist is that she is 4 years old, and the youngest professional painter in the world. She has been painting since she was 1 and had her first solo gallery show when she was 2 years old.

After her first show she attracted worldwide media attention with 60 Minutes calling her “The Next Big Thing” and the Chinese press calling her paintings “The work of a Master”. BBC London rang to congratulate Aelita on her second birthday and for her immense achievement. The Australian media dubbed her “Pee Wee Picasso”.

Aelita Andre is a professional abstract painter of Russian heritage, currently living in Melbourne, Australia with her mother Nikka and her father Michael.

To date Aelita has painted over 200 paintings, many of them large canvases. They radiate a genuine vitality, energy and beauty.

In her most recent show her work was priced between $4400 - $10,000, and at another show selling one of her pieces for $24,000.

Her works are so vivid and expressive, and so full of energy. Her style and subject matter is eclectic and wide ranging. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us in the future.

Watch this amazing artist in action.  This video is engaging and inspiring.



What do you think?

Motivation Monday

One of my favorite things is listening to audio books.  I listen to lots of different kind of books self help, inspirational, business, mysteries, and an occasional romance. I listen to them when I cook, clean the house, driving, and when I am creating.

Listening to audio books are a way to gain information, be inspired, and learn something new.

Need motivation:  listen to a inspirational audio

I recently finished listening to The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss. It's the perfect book to get you pumped up about working less and getting more done. It's full of tips, ideas, web links, and inspiration that you can apply to your business or job right away.

Listening to audio books is inspiring for me, and I look forward to my next book.

Do you listen to audio books?  What is one of your favorites?

Journal Prompt - Feel More Positive

Much of our mood depends on what we pay attention to. We tend to focus on the negative things happening in our day which increases our anxiety and may cause depression.

Today's journal prompt is all about changing that outlook. Every evening for a week write down three things that went well for you that day.

The key is to become aware of and reflect on positive events. Acknowledging these positive experiences will raise your mood, give you less anxiety, and get you out of the mind set that nothing ever goes right.

Try if for a week, and then two, and then a month.  The more you do it the more you can improve your well being.


What do you do to stay positive?

Boost your Creativity with Food

Did you know their are foods that will help boost creativity? 

What you put in your system greatly influences how many good ideas you will have and how fast they will come.

For fuel, your brain uses carbohydrates. Omega 3 fatty acids are used as building blocks for the neurotransmitters. Antioxidants help preserve your brain powers on long term.

Check out this list of brain food that will get your creative juices flowing.

Whole grains

walnuts

almonds

pecans

blueberries

strawberries

black berries

sunflower seeds

pumpkin seeds

eggs

green tea

avocado

spinach

broccoli

red cabbage

dark chocolate

Why can't their ever be chips or candy bars on these kind of lists. Add a few of these healthy foods to your daily menu and enjoy a boost in creativity and a healthier body.

Also consider a good night sleep, exercise, lots of play time, and trying new thing to help boost your brain power.

Overall practicing healthy eating habits, and taking care of yourself are essential to keeping those creative juices flowing.

What's your favorite creative brain booting food?

Processing Ideas

Everyday I get an idea for another new project. I write it down in my notebook, and then I think about for a week or so before I decide if it's an idea I want to use.

I recently had a post called "What's Holding You Back", where I shared a little about what is holding me back from putting some of my ideas into action.  Click here to check it out.

If I decide I want to work on an idea, I put some things into action. I create lists, do outlines, fill my calendar, and get to work.

Other ideas may require more research and planning, then I may start the process and work on them when I have more time.

One thing I do on a regular schedule are my blog posts.  Anytime I get an idea I put it in my idea notebook and then start a list of post I am going to do for the week.  I love my idea notebook and I carry one with me at all times.

People process their ideas differently.  Some people do vision boards, inspiration boards, planning calendars, or even work out their ideas in their journal. However you choose to plan is unique to you.

I would love to hear about your process. Please share a snapshot of what you do from idea to completion. I look forward to reading your responses.

Be Inspired - Fruit Close-Up

Words to Inspire

“Apparent failure may hold in its rough shell the germs of a success that will blossom in time, and bear fruit throughout eternity.”

Idea to Inspire

Enjoy some fruit today. Fill bowls and place them around your house.  They will look pretty, smell good, and will be handy to eat whenever you need a piece of fruit.

Photos to Inspire

I love fruit and the abundance of fruit available this time of year. Not only is the fruit great to eat it's pretty to look at, and these Flickr photographer showcase all their beauty.


Blueberry Close-up by OneliaPG


Orange 1 by Rune T


Apple Close Up HDR by Anthony Thomas


Close-up of a bunch of grapes on grapevine by TMarieShines

Shopping Handmade

You go to an art show or a gallery and you look at all the cool handcrafted art, you see lots of pieces you really like, but what makes you want to break out your wallet and make a purchase?

There are lots of things that go through our mind when we are considering making a purchase of a handcrafted item:


Personal taste 

Trends & Styles 

Price 

Medium 

Personality 

Work Ethic 

These are the same things our customers our thinking about when they are shopping in our online shops.  This is why some people love your shop and some people don't.

It has taken me a while, but I have come to realize that not everyone is going to like what I create.

That's why I don't worry about trying to please everyone anymore, and give the customers who love my work the best designs I can create and the best service.

What does it take for you to take out your wallet and purchase handcrafted items?