Looking for inspiration in new places....



Ask a painter for a great idea in "Red and White", and you’ll get an answer that involves paint. Ask a quilter for that great idea in red and white, and you’ll get a solution that involves sewing. Ask a scrap booker for the same great idea, and you’ll get a solution that involves scissors.

We’re all a product of our experience, but I find the creative limitations I have are self-imposed. They are false limits. Only when I force myself to look past projects that I’m good at or feel comfortable with, can I come up with the new creative ideas that I’m looking for.



My Jewlery on Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop/LorisGlassworks?ref=si_shop

By experience I’m a bead maker (lampwork) and jewelry designer. Lately I’ve felt creatively sluggish. I’m trying to be more open to everything creative. Stepping outside my comfort zone and studying how those in unrelated areas do what they do. What seems impossible today may seem surprisingly doable tomorrow. Etsy has been a great road map to new creativity. Here are some creative projects found on Etsy that I’d like to try…..

This year I’d like to learn how to knit. Every time I see an adorable photo like the one above, I long for the talent to make cute little bear hats. I learned to knit when I was a teenager, but had many distractions competing for my attention. I’d like to give it another go.

This year I’d also like to learn how to watercolor. I’ve always been attracted to the soft images and the muted colors of watercolors. I have tried to paint in the past but ended up with a muddy brown mess on the paper. I think I need a basics class.

Remember playing in the mud? Ceramics is a great outlet for the urge to get back into mud. I was a master mud pie maker, maybe I have talent for ceramics. Love the container above.

This spring I’d like to add some planters to the terrace. I’d love to learn how to use power tools to create designs like the planter featured above. Home Depot has a Do-it-Herself class, I think I'll join the power tool class.

If you recognize this creativity slump in yourself, don’t fret. In fact, rejoice! Knowing that it’s your own opinion holding you back is the first step toward breaking down the barriers of creativity.

How about you? What stifles your creativity? Let us know in the comments how you’ve handled it.

Items Featured in this Blog Post:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88036613/original-impasto-white-tulips-on-red-and

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86464461/antique-palm-turkey-red-quilt-handmad
http://www.etsy.com/listing/89130272/30-large-lace-heart-die-cuts-red-white

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LorisGlassworks?ref=si_shop