I draw inspiration from many things such as books, photos, nature, sculpture, paintings, other art and life to name a few. Since Christmas there has been a lot going on and I was drawing a blank no matter where I looked…that’s if I even had the desire to look. I’d pull out beads and put them on my board…nothing! I’d look through a few magazines…nothing! Google online for hours…still nothing! I guess I could some it all up as designer block or designer blues; whatever you call it, both would be fitting.
Just last week, I sat down and decided to push myself to come up with some goals and get life moving again. With that decision came the desire to get my blog up to date and clean house of a few things that was taking up too much of my time.
It was while catching up on my favorite blogs that I realized just how much I’m inspired by all the creative people I’ve built relationships with online. Not inspired by their designs or art, but by their desire to create and be creative. Their desire to be successful and teach others! These people sparked something in me and they had been right under my finger tips, had I looked sooner.
I’ve set some small goals to reignite my energy and with that I’ll be participating in a Bead Soup Swap sponsored by Lori Anderson this month. Lori’s idea was just what I needed to get my creative juices flowing and excited again about making jewelry during tough times.
When I received my “soup” mix, I realized that being creative in my business may not always come from what I’m used to, but it might just come in the form of a 4×4 box with a mixture of supplies that I would have never picked myself! Lori’s little package has challenged me to draw inspiration from things I may never had looked at and to give a second glance at a few things while attending my next bead show! The final piece will be posted on my blog next month.
How often are you inspired by unusual things in your business that were right under your nose?
Find more of Dee’s jewelry creations on her website at www.runakojewelry.com, also follow the day and life of Runako Designs and other great things with a cause on her blog at www.runakodesigns.blogspot.com.
limamike says:
I’m so glad you enjoyed the party! You should show what you did with your soup! It was nothing short of stunning!
February 14th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Kayla says:
Oh, you just described me perfectly for the last few months! Seriously, I wasn’t able to get downstairs where my jewelry station is for a good 3 months and when I finally was able to get down and go back to work, COMPLETE. BLANK.
I looked in a few magazines and books I have, but still no light bulb action >.<
After awhile, I just started rifling through my 'stash' and once I hit something I think has potential, I'll suddenly be hit with inspiration
February 14th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Maria Paray says:
You find my secret, LOL. Sometimes I need constraints to be creative. Lately, in my metal clay work, it has been trying to figure out a way to make something AND having it come out structurally sound. But yeah, bead soup will do it too!
February 14th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Tasha Chawner says:
It is amazing where you can find inspiration – lately for me it has been television programs.
I’ll see something being worn in a show and then spend the next hour re-creating something similar in my mind – and not really concentrating any more on the show!!
And reading about others creative processes in blogs is amazing.
Look forward to seeing your finished ‘soup’ piece
Cheers,
Tasha
February 14th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Dee says:
@Lori, the soup party was great..had a ton of fun. Unfortunately, this was written before the party, but the pic is posted on my blog of course.
@ Kayla, I’ve been hitting those spots a lot lately, but coming around this month!
@ Maria, I totally understand what you’re saying, soups are wonderful, but I like a verbal challenge as well sometimes, something with constraints. @ Tasha, I’ve tried TV, but usually come up with nothing, I’ll probably need to look at something for fashion focused…thanks for the tip!
February 14th, 2010 at 6:29 pm