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?

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?

Get Out

As we get busy, heading out of our studio/offices and experiencing something new is the perfect way to give yourself a creative boost.

Getting out will help you get inspired, discover something new, and generate new ideas.


Why not visit a gallery, attend a lecture or workshop, or take a tour of your city. Want to keep it simple visit your local library and look at books in different mediums, check out a fun gift shops, or just take an hour or two and surf the web.

When you get busy it's easy to stick with what you know, but venturing out can not only boost your mood, it can keep your collection new and fresh.

What do you like to do when you need to a creative boost?

5 Questions About Your Product

We make stuff, we sell stuff, but how often do we think about our product and why we create.

I am guilty of doing this all the time. I make stuff to sell stuff, even if it's not my favorite.

Taking the time to review our products is an important part of the marketing and selling process.

Today I have five questions for you to reflect on your product and discover something new about yourself and what you make.

1. Is it better to be good or original? Why?

2. What do you create that lets you be your most creative?

3. What do you create that offers the greatest potential to make a lot of money?

4. What is more important to you, to create for fun or money? Why?

5. How do you strike a balance between what you love to make and what will make you the most money?

Click below to print out an copy of these 5 questions in a one page easy to answer format.

Click here for your copy

Take your time with the questions. These question will give you a better understanding about why you create and where to focus your ideas to get to the next level. Once you have concluded what is important to you about creating, it will be easier to plan for what you need to create to achieve your goals.

Answering these questions was important part of my creative business redesign. I hope they will inspire you and your creative process.

How often do you review the products you offer?

Nothing Is Original

A couple of weeks ago I shared with you a list of the books I was reading over the summer. One of those books is called Steal Like An Artist by Austn Kleon.

One of the chapters in the book is called Nothing Is Original, it got me thinking about design and the design process. In the book he says "What a good artist understands is that nothing comes from nowhere. All creative work builds on what came before. Nothing is completely original."

For me this is a true statement. I am inspired by everyday things I see around me, light fixtures, buildings, unusual objects. When I see these things I break them down in my mind and take the shape of the parts and come up with some of my designs.

I would like to think my ideas are original, but I understand that I am not the first person to create jewelry with hardware and I won't be the last.

The book says that if we are free from the burden of trying to be completely original, we can stop trying to make something out of nothing, and embrace the influence.

What do you think? Is nothing original?

Constraints

Over time creating  becomes easy, and we are able to create our items quickly and efficiently. 

When you are ready to take your artwork to the next level it may be time to create some constraints for yourself. It sounds contradictory, but when it comes to creative work, limitations mean freedom.

Did you know that when Dr. Seuss wrote Cat in The Hat he used only 236 words, and as a challenge his editor bet him he could not write a book with only 50 words. Well Dr. Seuss won that bet writing Green Eggs and Ham which is one of the best selling children's book of all time.


When I started creating jewelry I used every convenience I could to make the process of creating my pieces easy. As I perfected my skills, I needed more challenges and I stopped using certain items and creating them myself.

When I was creating my sterling silver art jewelry, I was only working with wire and sheet metal. I created my own ear wires, chains, clasps, and other findings. It challenged me creatively and those challenges made me create some of my best work.

When I started creating with the hardware, I had even more constraints. The hardware is a set shape, a shape I usually cannot change, and trying to come up with interesting wearable ideas is always my challenge. I love this about hardware and this has been the most inspiring material I have worked with yet.

Constraints can be inspiring. 

What kind of constraints can you create to be inspired and grow as an artist?

Motivation Monday

Getting your work done when we are unmotivated can be a challenge.

Why not start a motivations ritual.

We have our everyday rituals like starting our day with a cup of tea or coffee, organizing our work space, reading and answering emails. We know when we go through this process that are day is beginning. 

This idea works just as well for getting motivated and staying motivated. 

Try coming up a ritual that is yours and yours alone. Something that signals to you its time to get started, or put in that extra effort. It could be something as simple as reading a motivating quote, listening to a certain song, or taking a walk.

Whatever you choose as your ritual do it every time you need a little motivation. The more you do, the faster it becomes a habit. 

Do you have something that you do when you need a little motivation?

A Small Window of Inspiration

Ever notice that you get some of your best ideas when you drifting off to sleep or right when you wake up. Those few minutes are when your mind is in it's most relaxed state, letting ideas come easily.

Being creative is an exercise in problem solving. Sleep facilitates insight that often solves problems, sparks new ideas and design forms.

When I wake up I try to take a few minutes just to lay their and let my mind wander. I have come up with some of my best ideas when I just wake up and I have started to record them on an app on my phone. For some reason if I move to much trying to get a pad and pencil the ideas start to fade and I can never get them written down exactly as they come to me.

Keep a note pad or recorder next to where you sleep. Having easy access to document your ideas makes them easier to remember and put them into action.

Surround yourself with things that inspire you and can help the process both in your waking and sleeping hours.

Do you find those few minutes before you fall asleep or wake up to be inspiring?

Stop Planning and Start Doing

At the beginning of a new year we are full of ideas, plans, and goals.

After a few weeks we loose our luster and some of our plans fade into the background or are forgotten all together.

Today I have 5 ideas to help you to get from thinking about starting a major project to actually completing one.

• Work first thing in the morning - it's the perfect time to work on projects before the metal clutter of daily life sinks in and consumes your thoughts.

• Work in short blocks of time - 15 to 30 minutes at a time. A daily commitment will make you feel less under pressure and more in control of your time.

• Break down larger goals into smaller ones - start with small steps and gradually work towards bigger achievements. This will give you more momentum to succeed.

• Reward yourself - small rewards like a piece of chocolate, coffee with friends, or an afternoon off, will encourage your to do more with the time you have.

• Make yourself accountable to someone else - sharing your project or goals with a friend or family member will make your work harder, and want to share your success .

All of these suggestions you have probably heard before,  they are practical and easy to do. I hope this post encourages you to actually try one or all of them to start and succeed on your own personal goals.

I have done each and everyone of these tips to help me with my business and they have contributed to my growth. Working in short blocks of time is my favorite and I do this everyday.

Which idea will be easiest to incorporate into your day?

Motivation Monday

Keeping motivated can be as easy as changing up your routine.

During the summer I spend more time going out, working on projects, and working outside. There are many days during the summer when I just don't want to work at all, so I try to find other things to inspire me.

This is a tip to use all year around - change up your routine often.

I try to go out at least one day a week and work in a new environment such as the library, bookstore, or coffee shop. Some days I even work in different rooms of my house. Occasionally  I work on my creative projects first and do my office work later in the day.

These simple changes give me the boost of motivation I need keep coming up with new ideas.

How do you change up your routine to stay motivated?

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?

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.

Learning to "Go Green"

"Design can eliminate the concept of waste, producing perpetual assets rather then perpetual liabilities."
William McDonough

The green movement is about consuming less, reusing more, and being mindful about our impact on the environment and our health.

As artists going green means something different to everyone.  Maybe using different materials, reusing supplies from old projects, recycling, working with items normally thrown away, or creating your own supplies. For some the green movement is just a marketing tool to get consumers to to choose their product over someone else.

Personally I'm learning what I can do so I can do more. I recently found a new recycling center full of machine parts and lots of interesting hardware.  I was really excited to find this new place, and I spent over an hour with my sister getting really dirty, and cold toes (no heat) while hunting for exciting new hardware. I came home with 12 lbs. (yes I mean pounds) of new hardware, I can't wait to start creating.

Besides working with the recycled hardware, I recycle paper, and old jewelry that I take apart and reuse for parts.  I could be doing more.  As I research for this months blog posts, I plan on leaning new ideas that I can put into practice.

There is a amazing amount of information about going green online.  One fact I learned is you don't have to be extreme. Start with simple things, making small choices everyday will make a difference.

What small step do you do to be green?

Tug-of-War

You know those days when you are really busy, running errands, working, and doing things for your family,  do you find those are the days when your creative juices are really flowing?

There are also those days when you have lots of work to get done or a deadline to meet and no time to let your muse take over. Sometimes its hard to decide if you should stop working and just let your creative side take over or to finish up what needs to be done.

This kind of tug-of-war can make your day challenging and unfulfilling.  I always get a burst of creativity when I am driving on long trips, or have to get something done.

There are a couple of things you can do to nurture your creative ideas, work in you journal/sketchbook for a few minutes, while the ideas are still fresh, put your work on hold and just start creating, or find a way to pencil in some time to create into your schedule.

If you just don't have time to take a break give these tricks a try:
-Take a moment
-close your eyes
-visualize what you want to do
-Make a list of the medium you want to work with
-Choose the colors you want to use
-Visualize your finished piece
-Let you mind return to these mental pictures often

You may find that the end piece is not exactly as you pictured it, but thats even better, because you nurtured your inspiration and allowed it to develop before it was executed.

"Even if its not possible to act on each moment of inspiration immediately.  It is possible to live in the moment and enjoy your creative soul."
Pam Carriker

What do you do when you have a tug-of-war between being practical and getting your work done and being creative?

Non-Traditional Journaling

Do you sometimes find keeping a journal challenging? Changing up how you journal and what you journal about is a great way to enjoy the process again.

Instead of using a book or a note book, why not try journaling on 3 x 5 or 4 x6 note cards.  They are inexpensive, you can buy them in different colors or multi color packs, even with lines or without.

Carry around a thin stack of cards for a week use one everyday to jot down notes, make small collages, do quick sketches, or just for ideas you may have.  At the end of the week you can sort the cards into themes, create a to do list, bind them together or file them away.

Why not try this for a month instead and see what happens.  At the end of the month you will have a whole stack of cards with ides, mini pieces of art, or even projects you can start.

Note cards are also great for creating a travel kit, instead of bring a big book along all you will need is a pack of cards.  You could work on a new card everyday and come home with a trip full of memories.

Using the cards might be a nice break from keeping a traditional journal, what other non traditional journal ideas can you share with us?

New Inspiration Source

When I created my sterling silver jewelry collection I collected art magazines, art show fliers and brochures, catalogs, and anything else that I could get my hands on that was full of pictures.

I liked pictures of a lot of things, buildings, other jewelry artists, shapes and textures.  I have several notebooks filled with magazine pictures, and other things that I collected.  When I need a little inspiration I page through those books for ideas.

When I decided I wanted to create a new collection (my hardware jewelry) my old sources of inspiration just did not seem to work for me and my new collection.

I wanted this collection to be young and fresh and I found myself reading teen magazines, checking out online sources, and going to shops for the younger customer.  These days when I am looking at things for inspiration it's all about texture and color.  

Now that I have been creating the hardware jewelry collection for a few years, I am inspired by all new things.  I still enjoy looking at art magazines, and catalogs, but I am more inspired just sitting at my desk and digging through my hardware collection.

As you have grown as an artists has what inspires you changed from when you started creating?

Idea Generating Checklist

Not knowing what you want to do can be so frustrating. I have had days where I sit and look at all my stuff and still don't know where to start.

Bob Eberle created a idea-generating checklist to help get you started on a project, it's called SCAMPER.

Here is what it means:

Substitute something -try other materials, processes, or technique.

Combine it with something else - new assortment, materials, or tools.

Adapt something to it - what can be adapted from a new technique.

Modify or magnify it - can it be made larger, extended, or exaggerated.

Put it to some other use - what else can be made with it?

Eliminate something - how can you streamline or compact it?

Reverse or rearrange it - try a new pattern, layout, or order.

To get started isolate your challenge or the object you are working with.  Ask the SCAMPER questions for each step of your project and see what new ideas emerge.

This is a great technique to kick start a new or stalled project or when you want to work with a new material.  

Do you have special techniques that you use to get inspired when you are stuck on a project?

Your Signature Motif

Do you have a signature motif?  An element that shows up over and over in your art work or a style that you use all the time that stands out as your signature motif.

We all design with a certain style in mind when we create, it may be a style that we use or come back to, that can be used to describe your style of work.

V. Design signature square with gemstone dangle

V. Design gemstone  and circle necklace with gemstone dangle

With both of my jewelry lines I have a certain style and shape that I like to work with, making my jewelry recognizable.  I love geometric shapes.

In my sterling silver collection V. Design I have mostly squares and circles.  In my hardware collection Additions most of the hardware is a geometric shape with lots of circles.

Additions signature - tiny hardware to finish off the chain

Additions signature

I also add an element to most of my pieces that is uniquely mine.  On my V. Design collection I add a gemstone drop to each necklace and bracelet.  On the Additions collection I add a tiny piece of hardware.

Even if you don't think you have a signature, you can easily come up with an idea and start making it a regular part of your artwork.  Lets say you work with rubber stamps, maybe you have one that you use all the time, add it to all your layouts and use it in different ways. If you knit you could finish off a piece with a stitch or knot that you create.

Most of the time you already have a signature, it may just take some time to identify what it is.

What is your signature motif?

Be Inspired - The Color Red

Words to Inspire

“Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity.”
Bo Bennett

Idea to Inspire

Red is the symbol of life, vitality, and passion.

It is good for:

♦ increased enthusiasm and interest
♦ more energy
♦ action and confidence to go after your dreams
♦ protection from fears and anxieties

Add some red to your artwork and even your life today.

Photos to Inspire


This Flickr collections is full of life and passion.  Let the color red inspire you today.


Red by GibZilla


Red by NaturalLight


Red rose by flod


Red Sun Set / sun / set ( sunset ) by Bahman Farzad


Red Japanese Maple by honey 77

Color Palette Resources

There are many decisions you have to make as an artist to create a piece of artwork.  Deciding on what colors to use can be a challenge sometimes.  

I have found a couple of wonderful resources you can use to create a color palette from what inspires you.

The Color Palette Generator

Check out this example of how the Color Palette Generator works on a painting from Toni Swarthout.

dull #662211 #333333 #992211 #bb4444 #bbaa99

vibrant #aa0000 #554433 #ff0000 #ff5544 #eeddcc

Another great options for creating custom color Palettes is Color Hunter.

Both of these sites are easy to use and give you a collection of colors that can use in your creative project.

When you are working with colors how do you decide what colors to use?