Getting Stuck Inside Your Creativity

Yesterday Jack came over and we spent a good while sitting at the kitchen table playing with polymer clay. Jack makes sculptures and I mostly make elements for my jewelry. I’ve played around with polymer clay for years but have never put a lot of time into learning new techniques. I do see wonderful things created on Pinterest that I would love to know how they are done. It’s one of my jewelry tools along with metal work and wire wrapping. I really need to increase my skills in all of these. 

This is one of my favorite things to do with clay 

is create these "Royce Rocks". 

They are my faux stones I often use in my jewelry. 

Several new clay molds came in the mail this week and I'm looking forward to using these. I've never used molds before. 

I’ve taken almost no classes, which I often regret. I’ve always thought of jewelry as a hobby and didn’t want to invest a lot of money into it. I understand now that this was a mistake. I have learned a lot on my own but sometimes you just need to peek inside someone else's creativity to get a new edge to your craft. 

So I want to set aside time for just practicing techniques. I’ve all but stopped putting metal into my jewelry. Not really sure how or why this came about. It takes time for me to work new things into a routine, but I must make time to hone those skills. 

I have become a bit bored with what I am making and that’s not good at all. I have a hard time making multiples of a piece, but making everything unique slows me down. I’d like to find a middle ground. 

I have a lot to work on. I have plenty of time and materials. Now to just push myself to do what I need to do. I’m sure after I get started and make a few things I’m proud of I’ll feel more enthusiasm to work more and push myself more. 

My sewing machine is back from the repair shop and now that it’s home and in it’s new area I look forward to getting back into quilting and fiber arts. I really enjoyed that and want to bring it back into my life. 

The starting line

I've had a plan for many years that when I retire I will put serious effort into making my crafting profitable. I've been playing around with it for years, but now it's time to get serious.

The first new thing I've done is my Red Bubble account. Where I have a few of my drawings that you can have printed on just about anything from a phone case to a bed spread. Even cute little stickers. I've not put much effort into this yet but will start pushing it next month. I have new designs ready to load. I love to draw and this is a very passive way to make money off those bits of art.

I love making jewelry, it's kind of my addiction. In this case it's when I twirl my chair around and leave my work bench behind and face the computer, yikes! Yes there are some fun things I do on the computer, but slogging threw Pinterest laughing at cat memes isn't all that helpful and won't bring in any Etsy sales. 

There is a ton of information out there to make your Etsy shop everything you want it to be. I have looked at a lot of them. Lots of people out there have great ideas. It's often hard to find ones that fit your business and your style of creating. 

It's a lot of trial and sadly a lot of error. You have to stick with it and crack on. Behind every disappointment is a great discovery. I'll openly admit I get discouraged and wonder why I do this. That's mostly at the end of a show I didn't do that well at and I'm so tired and can hardly fold up the tent and make it to the car in the 90 degree heat. This is the point I look at Jack and say "why did we do this". He always smiles and that's my answer. Cause we love it. It's that simple. Every thing we love has effort put into it. Sometimes you have to scream and stomp your little feet, but in time you will receive what you have worked so hard for, but you have to keep working.

Have a happy creative day

Know you are loved

Know you can do it