Embrace The Process

When I taught art classes to kids they were always so enjoyable to watch. Kids create what makes them happy, and express themselves without any thought of how their masterpiece will turnout.

We lose that freedom to express ourselves as we get older. Our art becomes a process, we become concerned if people like what we create, making a grade, or worrying if it will sell.

This especially is an issue when we experiment with a new medium or try new techniques. I enjoy the process of painting and creating collage, but I am not very good at either. I always want the finished product to look like it does in my head and I never spend enough time enjoying the creative process.

In order to truly express our artistic selves we need to permit ourselves to create without the worry of being evaluated.

Try sitting down and working with a medium you have never tried and just create. Don't worry about what it will look like or if it turns out just right, just create for the purpose of expressing yourself.

This is a great way to get out of a creative slump, or if you need a break from a big project to rejuvenate your creative well.

Do some creative playing, try some new techniques, use colors you don't normally use, experiment with new materials, let your exploration be the process and your completed project be the byproduct.

How often do you work in a new medium or stretch yourself creatively?

Cultivate Your Creative Voice

When learning our craft we research ideas, admire other artists work, and get inspired by what we discover.

It is so easy to take an ideas of another artist and recreate it to make it your own, but if you take the time to cultivate your own voice you can create designs that are all your own.

Try these simple ideas to get your ideas flowing:

Take the time to learn about what you enjoy creating. New ideas come out all the time, stay on top of all the new trends and ideas of your medium.

Explore your inner voice. A few minutes of mediation will help you connect with your inner voice. 

Listen to your intuition. Trust those ideas that come to you out of the blue, regardless of how challenging you think it will be to create.

Write / Draw out your thoughts and ideas. Keep a record of all your ideas good and bad, to help inspire future ideas.

Develop the ideas that make you happy. Learn what you need to learn, and take your art in a new direction.

Cultivating your own voice takes a little practice, but once you make it part of your everyday creative process you will discover that the piece you create will come from your heart and not just your head.

How have you cultivated your creative voice lately?

Need New Ideas? Just Listen!

When I need some inspiration or I'm feeling stuck in my business, I enjoy engaging in conversation with fellow artists, friends, and family. Listening to their stories and ideas always get the ideas flowing, making it easier for me to get unstuck.

Inspiration may be as near as your next conversation.

Everyone has a story to tell.  Some stories are more interesting then others, but the human experience is a rich source of inspiration.

This weekend talk to a couple of artists about what inspires them.  You will gain a new perspective on the creativity of others and have the opportunity to absorb new information.

Be an active listener.  Which means absorbing the words, perspective, and story of the people you are talking with without interruption or judgement.

Need some ideas to get you started?

Connect with artists online
Take a class
Visit a gallery
Attend a open studio
Go to a craft fair
Check out a craft supply shop.

Have a couple questions in mind to get the conversation started.

What is your personal favorite work or art?
Where do you find your inspiration?
What is your favorite material or tool and why?

Your next idea may come from someone you have a conversation with this weekend.  All you have to do is ask a question.

I'm ready to listen.  What is your favorite thing about creating?

What is Your Creative Process?

Inspiration is an important part of my creative process. I spend a lot of time looking through my design books, checking out inspiring boards on Pinterest, and planning out my ideas for the new pieces I create.

Sketching out my ideas as I process them is the most important part of planning a new collection. I draw out new ideas, and then I take a few minutes and draw out variations of my main idea.

This really helps me when it's time to create. I can page through my sketch book and start making the pieces that make sense. Usually only a few of my sketched ideas are turned in to pieces for my collection, and many times once I start creating the pieces turns out different from what I originally planned.

Viewing other inspiring jewelry pieces and sketching out my ideas is how I create most of the pieces in my jewelry collection, but I also like the spontaneity of going through my collection of hardware and putting pieces together randomly.

If I am creating from a sketched design or the spontaneity of digging through hardware, I love the act of creating and taking something simple and turning it into something great.

What is your creative process?

Creative Gatherings

There are times when you need an inspirational boost. Being around other creative people is a great way to get motivated and inspired.

A couple of years ago I met with a group of friends that were fellow artists on a regular basis. We tried to meet at least once a month to do an art project and just sit and talk about our current projects.

I created this during one of our gatherings

I miss meeting with them, but I got really busy and it was harder to make the commitment to meet. This year I am going to try to get us all together again and get creative.

Do you ever create with other artists or work in different art mediums?

The best part of meeting as a group is trying different techniques, learning a new medium, and just making the time to do something new.

A paint and paper project

It is easy to start up a group:

• Get together people who are excited about the idea of working in different mediums and creating.

 • Choose the size of your group. It can be as few as 2 - 3 people or a group as large as you have space for.

• Everyone needs to be willing to host a gathering and share an art project.

I was lucky, in my group we had a couple of art teachers and they always had enough supplies for everyone to use. I know that is not the case for everyone. To make it easier for the hostess maybe after each gathering you collect a few dollars for the hostess to get supplies for the next gathering.

This is a paint and chalk project I created

There are so many benefits to participating in this type of group:

~ It stretches your creative muscle
~ Talking with like minded people
~ Motivation to stay creative
~ Help with ideas for a projects you are working on

We can all benefit from working with other artist, and working in different art mediums. As creative business owners we spend a lot of time alone working, and it can be lonely sometimes. Taking a break to meet with fellow artist can be very inspiring and motivating.

Put together a group today!

Do you meet with fellow artist in you area?

Discover a New Talent

I have always enjoyed teaching. As an owner of an art school in my community I had the opportunity to teach kids and adults the fun of making jewelry and exploring their creativity.

Before I started teaching I would have never considered myself a teacher. I really surprised myself when I discovered teaching was really a natural part of who I am.


What talents do you have that you are dismissing?

As artists and creative business owners you already share your talents with your customers, but what other things have you wished you could do or thought about doing, but decide you were to busy or did not have the skill required. These are the things you should be exploring. Don't let limited time or skill hold you back from exploring new talents. 

Create a list of all the things you would like to do, even if they are not related to what you are doing right now. Then choose one of those items to explore this year.

With the start of the new year, it's the prefect time to add to your to-do list the steps necessary to incorporate a new project into your art and business.

Are you fully utilizing your talents?

Don't Wait for Inspiration

There are times during the creative process when you don't feel inspired, and that is OK.

Sometimes the ideas are not flowing, and we are not inspired to create new pieces over and over again. But there are times when we need to be creating, so it's important to have a list of ideas to help start the ideas flowing.

Here is a list of simple ideas to help you get started:

When you need to be working and the ideas are not flowing, what do you do to get inspired?

4 Keys to Achieving Greater Creativity

Inspiration and creativity are the key to creating art that inspires and excites your customers.

As we all know sometimes it can be a challenge to get and stay inspired all the time, so we can create our best work.

There are many ways to boost your creativity, many discussed here on  Everyday Inspired, but there are four creativity traits that you can adapt to help you create more and stay inspired.

Creativity requires...

Curiosity - Curiosity and creativity are never far apart. You need to be curious to identify problems worth solving, and then to come up with creative solutions.

Risk - Taking - True creativity requires risk. Creativity and risk are intertwined, and to create something you are passionate about and has meaning for you, you have to go outside of the box.

Energy - Energy is about the ability to make something happen. Energy directed into a creative endeavor causes something new, unseen, and different to come into existence.

Patience - Patience helps us find balance. To gain that balance you need to have the patience to fail, the patience to practice, and the patience to perfect.

Are these traits part of your creative process? What is your biggest struggle?

Cultivating these traits will make your creativity soar. Nothing will be able to stop you from becoming a creative powerhouse.

Share these creativity traits with your social network!

Inspiration For the New Season

Inspiration boards are a great way to gain insight to what trends, styles, or designs are important to you right now.

Creating a board is easy and requires only a few supplies. Their is no right or wrong way, it's all about what inspires you at the time.

You can make your inspiration board any size using a variety of different mediums. Working on a cork board is the most versatile option; you can change it as often as you want, create one for certain projects, different seasons, or the mood you are in at the time.

There are no rules to creating your board. It’s just a matter of finding photos, objects, fabric, examples of texture and colors that you can pin to your board.

Three tips to remember when making your board:

1. Nothing is off limits - keep your eye out for anything that inspires you. Photos, magazine pictures, fabric, personal memories.

2. Follow your instincts -let your subconscious guide you. You don't have to understand why it inspires you at the moment; you just have to find it interesting.

3. Embrace fantasy - ignore realities of everyday life. Again just choose what really inspires, even if it not something you would ever choose.

A small list of sources for inspiration:

European fashion magazines - they push the style envelope, so you will see more innovative and cutting-edge photos.

Home and garden magazines - great source for textures, fabric, patterns, and shapes.

History, old movies, and pop culture - use the web for inspiration.

Celebrity photos - always a rich source of inspiration.

Your favorite web sites and blog - are full of ideas.

Once your board is complete you will want to take a little time to analyze what you have on your board. You may see a pattern or direction you can try right away, or you may find your board is random with no clear pattern. Walking away for awhile will give you a chance to regroup, and when you comeback your theme will be clearer to you.

Creating your board should be fun, and having the option to change it as often as you like will make your board a great source of inspiration.

Have you created a inspiration board?

Mother Nature and Creativity

Wellness and healing start with Mother Nature. Plant remedies have been used for focus, longevity, and inspiration for thousands of years in many cultures.

Using herbs is a way to enhance your creativity help you get through the day. Partaking in a warm cup of herbal tea is a lovely ritual and a nice way to focus your senses for a day of creating.

Herbs for creativity

Gingko Biloba - the leaves are thought to help with memory and circulating blood flow to the brain.

Mugwort - is said to enhance one's intuitive abilities.

Green tea - good for clearing the mind, focus, and giving you a little energy.

Camomile - helps you relax after a long day of creating

Lemon Balm - eases stress and anxiety.

Adding herbs to your daily routine is as easy as picking some up at the farmers market, or growing your own.

To make a tea infusion add a heaping spoon of the herbs for every cup of water and when it comes to a boil turn off the heat and let the herbs steep. After 5 - 10 minutes strain and pour into glass. Sweeten as necessary. Your tea is ready to sip and enjoy throughout the day.

Do you use herbs for your overall health?

Travel Without Plans

This the time of the year when you start planning your summer getaways for the summer, so why not schedule yourself a one day adventure.

It's as easy as blocking out some time, hopping in your car, and going for a drive with no destination in mind. Or getting on the train and getting off at a new stop.

Stop when you see something intriguing, eat something you have never tried before, take back roads and side streets, and have a conversation with a local.

Don't forget your journal/sketchbook so you document your adventure.

This is my favorite thing to do when I need to recharge my creative batteries, I have gotten some of my best ideas while in the car. Plus I have found some pretty amazing places that have become my favorite places to go.

When was the last time you had an unplanned adventure?

Window Shopping Inspiration

Need a little inspiration?  Get a creativity boost by doing a little window shopping.

Check out the shops in your town or on your next getaway. Every store has something to offer, even the store you don't like or would never shop in. Regardless of what you create, you can always get a little inspirations from a cute store window.

As you take your stroll, check out the window displays and the items they have close to the window.

 

What color are they featuring?

Any shapes that are more popular then others?

What about the textures, can any translate into your craft?

Checking out what is in the windows is not about what they have in the window, but dissecting what you see and getting inspired by the color combinations, and designs.

When I visit a new town I love to window shop. I like to see what other cities and towns are featuring, and what is popular. Yesterday I shared that I always carry a pad of paper and pencil with me wherever I go, so I never forget any of my ideas.

Don't forget your pad of paper so you can jot down your ideas during your window shopping adventure.

Do you do a lot of window shopping?

Need more creative ideas? Check out this great list of 29 Ways To Stay Creative.

Switch Gears

When you have been working on something for a long time or you're trying to come up with some new ideas and you get stuck, why not try switching gears.

Stop trying to come up with ideas and start with the technical side of your project. Switching to a new task is a great way to get your creative juices flowing, and thinking about the technical side of things will give you a little insight into your working process and help you see new options.

All you need to do is create a list of all the steps involved in what you are working on, down to the littlest details. Then create a flowchart from where you start your project, your action steps, the decisions you have to make, and where you need to stop.

When you are done with your flowchart you should feel the creative juices flowing back, not to mention you now have a tutorial for your project that you could use in the future.

If you really want to challenge yourself create your list of steps starting from the end and working your way back to the beginning.

Working on the technical side of your project is a great way to get inspired.

Have you ever listed all the steps involved in creating your art?

Creativity and Your Mood

I am a pretty easy going person. My days are pretty peaceful and relaxed and I work easily throughout my day. When I am angry, upset, or tired my work day suffers and I rarely accomplish what I want in the day.

I know most people have days filled with activities, places to go, and creating is something they squeeze in when they have time.  For some people that time is what makes them happy and they create amazing piece. For others they feel like they don't have enough time, so they are not always pleased with the work they create.

I also know people who need to be angry or worked up to create art. Those emotions are what they need to do their best work.

Emotions are key to our creative output. Sometimes just having a bad day can throw you off balance. Be aware of your mood when you want to be creative, it may be a guide to how well you are going to accomplish your tasks.

Here is a question for you:

How does your mood effect your creative output?

Commitment To Learning

Business and art are always evolving, requiring us to learn new things to stay on top of what is important for our business and our medium.

In jewelry making their are always new techniques for me to learn, and when you are running an online business their is a never ending amount of things coming out often. 

Every week I set aside time to learn something new. I check out new websites, blogs, and books. I believe you can never stop learning, and that it will make me a better artist and blogger.

Question:

What are you committed to learning that will accelerate your personal growth?

Answering this question should give you some insight as to where you want to go with your art and your business. Once you have identified what you want to learn, make a commitment to yourself to make it happen. 

When you have completed that goal, ask yourself the question again and again. It's a question you can ask yourself throughout your career, so you keep learning and reaching your goals. 

Remember Everything

Here is a little tip to help you remember information, learn a new technique, and in the process make your brain a little stronger.

The 3 x 10 technique.

Dr. Douglas Fields a neurologist at the National Institute of Heath who researches memory and learning, discovered that your brain makes a stronger connection to remembering what you are reading, practicing, or mastering something new, to do it 3 times rest for 10 minutes and then do it again.

Do this process as many times as needed until you have mastered what you need to remember.

I use this technique all the time when I need to practice a speech or class notes, and when I try a new technique. I have found if I try something 3 times, take a break and come back to it 3 more times, I figure out the steps I need to take and remember them for next time.

Next time you need to remember something give this technique a try, and in the process make your brain a little stronger!

Would this technique be helpful with anything you need to remember?

Meditation and the Creative Process

Meditation is the art of silencing the mind.

A mind that is relaxed and clear of clutter is a creative mind.

There are many benefits to taking time everyday to meditate:
• Improved concentration - making you more productive and inspired
• To aid in letting go of the little things - if you get upset or anxious easily this is a great way to calm your mind.
• Better health - there have been many studies that show the benefits of meditating on your health.
• Better understanding of your inner self and your life's purpose.

I like to meditate when I get up in the morning. It helps me prepare my mind for the work I need to do for the day, and to start my day off in a relaxed state of mind. I have has some of my most creative ideas during those few minutes I take to meditate.

You can meditate anytime of day, and for as little as 5 minutes. Choose a time that works best for you, and try to stick to a schedule. Once you start and experience the benefits of practicing it will easily become a habit.

Starting a meditation practice is very simple. All you need is a chair and a quite space. There is no right or wrong way to meditate. Do what feels right for you, because you should always be comfortable and relaxed when you are meditating.

 If you have never meditated before there is is wealth of information all over the web to help you get started. YouTube has a variety of videos on how to start, as well as guided meditation if you find it difficult to clear mind. Your local library will also have books, Cd's, and other information to help you get going as well.

I highly recommend giving meditation a try! It will give you a boost of creativity, and peace of mind. It takes very little time out of your day, and it will be worth your effort.

Do you meditate?

DIY Friday - Creative Ideas to Make Your Own Stamps

I love creating cards and wrapping paper, and a lot of the time that includes creating stamps for my designs. There are so many creative ways to make your own stamps, here are a few of my favorites.

This would work with and veggie with a stem like celery, lettuce,  or even onions.

Cool ides with things you have around the house.

Carved erasers stamps

More eraser ideas

Cork carving

Cool ideas to do with kids

Have you ever made your own stamps?

Clearing your Creative Well

Creativity has more to do with the elimination of the inessential then with something new.
-Helmut Jahn

As artists we are inspired by the things around us and we spend time learning new techniques and perfecting our craft. Over time as we are filling our creative well it can get to full, making it difficult to organize our ideas.

Creating space within our creative well will help more original ideas grow. 

This process of clearing your mind or creative well can be as simple as cleaning your closet. 

Slowly go through your closet and and start pulling out things you never wear, things that don't fit, and anything that is not your style. Don't forget to go through your shoes and accessories. When you are done pack everything up and take it to a local charity.

This process of elimination helps your mind relax and as you are clearing your closet you are also riding your mind of old ideas.

As those old ideas release, you are now open and ready to cultivated new ideas.

What do you do when you need to clear your mind?

New in 2013

2012 was my best year ever. It has inspired me to set some big goals for 2013 including growing my Etsy business, getting more wholesale accounts, and creating a blog with useful and inspiring content, and building up my blog community.

Be on the look out for a new look this month and new series to inspire you creatively, personally, and your creative business.

I am retiring Be Inspired Wednesday, for Inspiration Boards that will show up a few times a month. They will be full of inspiring photos and quotes to keep your creative juices flowing.

Two new series will become regular features, one is called Breathing Room which will have posts about organizing, relaxing and wellness, and creative time. The other series is Inner Spark, these posts will guide you to discovering new thing about yourself and your business.

Some blog favorites like Motivation Monday, DIY Friday, Artists to know, and Inspired Success Week, will all be around in 2013 as well.

I am looking forward to a year of creating exciting new blog posts, sharing things I learn, and getting to know each of you a little more.

Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more tidbits and inspiration, and to see all the new items showing up in my Etsy shop.

What are you looking forward to in 2013?