July 11th, 2008 Jessica
Do you ever have those days where you feel completely and totally uninspired?
You have a wonderful selection of beads, you even (amazingly) have spare time to create, but for whatever reason you just can’t seem to summon up any creative energy to begin beading. Perhaps, you have so many ideas you just don’t know where to start—I often experience this similar feeling with housework, when there is just so much to do that all I can do is just stand around looking flabbergasted, secretly wishing with willpower alone I could make it all tidy – a ridiculous longing caused by watching Mary Poppins too many times as a youngster no doubt—or perhaps you are completely devoid of any ideas at all. So what do you do?
Here are five quick ways to help spark a little bit of inspiration…
Browse the Internet – well you’re here already so I’m sure you must have some appreciation of the vast amount of beading inspirations available on line. I find that looking up google image search can be a great way to find beautiful galleries and pictures of people’s work.
Try something new – There is a familiar saying that a ‘change of scenery’ can rejuvenate the soul. In the same sense perhaps your creativity could be reignited with a change in your technique or medium. I know I always find new ventures exciting. So why not try something you’ve never tried before – if you always work with wire, why not try beading, if you always work with beading, why not try making polymer clay beads and jewellery. Resin, precious metal clay, fleece, stringing, knotting, embroidery, crochet, french knitting, ceramics, buttons, polymer clay, paper mache, enamel, woodwork, carving, lampworking….oh the possibilities!
Sketch Book – I always keep a little note pad with me – even when I go out. I began this practice with my journalism studies, but soon discovered it was a great way to jot down creative ideas when they came to me spontaneously. You just never know when an idea may come to you. Perhaps a cashier in a supermarket wearing a beautiful piece will re-invigorate your imaginative spirit. Perhaps a beautiful bird on your way home triggers a spark of spontaneous creativity. Scribble, draw, jot down ideas. You won’t necessarily use them all, but you will develop a wonderful resource book that you can look back to when you are in need for some fresh ideas.
Magazines, Books - Like the Internet, books and jewellery magazines have an abundant supply of projects and inspirations. Your local library will most likely stock many beading books. If you’re not already a member I highly recommend that you join. Not everyone is going to have the budget to buy all the beading books and magazines they would like, so by joining the library you can try out several different books, and save your money. Then of course, you can later purchase your favourite books knowing they are exactly what you want.
The Dice Man - Have you ever heard of the dice man? I remember seeing an interview on television some years ago with this man who apparently lived his whole life by making decisions according to the roll of a dice. Call it fate, call it chance, call it craziness, you have to admit when it comes to jewellery it could be fun. So if your tossing up a few ideas but can’t make up your mind why not play a gambling game and let fate make the decision for you. I studied music several years ago and had an incredible learning experience when our lecturer forced us to write a song according to the draw of the hat. And of all things I had to draw out punk! (especially challenging, as I had never ever written a punk song before). So why not try this similar game:
Write down the colour possibilities for one draw (you may like to draw more than one colour inspiration, remember this is just a guide). For another draw, write down several inspirational words. And again for another draw, write down the technique or medium.
Put all your ideas into a hat, each draw at a time. You will have a colour draw, an inspiration draw, and a technique draw. Now simply put the three random selected words together and there you have it…a completely fresh inspiration.
Here are some examples - which may help get you started:
If your still feeling completely stumped or demotivated, beading gem has another 16 ideas to increase your beading mojo or you can check out beading daily’s 5 exercises to unblock a creative block.
And what about you, do you have any other ideas to help re-invigorate inspiration? Please do share your ideas in the comments below.
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