10 Things You Need in Your Creative Space

Over the course of January, my feeds were full of posts about re-organizing, clearing out, and getting rid of the excess. I blame a lot of this on Marie Kondo's Netflix series as well as the start of the new year. And, like most other people out there, I'm also in desperate need of a house-wide purge. My craft room (where I spend the bulk of my time), in particular, is bursting at the seams.  Even so, I try to keep in mind that there are only ten things I need in my creative space. I bet it's exactly what you need too. 

1. JOY

This echoes some of what Marie Kondo says about objects: if they don't bring you joy, do you really need them? This is true of the space where you create. Whether it's a dedicated studio, your dining room table, or in front of the tv, you need to find joy in that space. If that doesn't exist, figure out how to make that happen. Maybe you can paint the room, change your view, add houseplants or flowers. It doesn't have to be anything major but if there's no joy in the place where you're working, how can there be joy in your art?

2. FREEDOM

Like joy, this is a feeling more than anything. Do you feel free to play, experiment, and let loose in your creative pursuits? This is something you need to bring into your space with you each time you begin to create. 

3. INSPIRATION

Make sure to fill your space with the items and colors that make your creative spirit sing. Maybe it's listening to music, having your favorite materials within reach, or hanging pictures of artists that inspire you. If your muse isn't visiting you in your space, try to find out how you can change that. 

4. GOOD LIGHTING

Even on a cloudy day, your work needs to shine. You may need to invest in lighting solutions, or just make sure the blinds are wide open to let in the sun. 

5. COMFORT

If you're not comfortable in the space, it's going to be difficult to stay there long. Find a chair that suits you and your desk well. If you stand to work, get a pair of shoes that feel good on your feet. Don't let a sore back be the reason you can't work on your dreams.

6. PASSION

If you're not finding the drive to get creative, you may need to re-examine what your real passion is and what it is you want to make. This is something you need to bring in your space with you each time you enter.

7. AN OPEN MIND

Keeping you ming open allows you to see the possibilities in your art that you might miss otherwise. Try new mediums, techniques, and inspirations to keep you excited about what you're doing and so that your work can move forward. We're all constantly learning.

8. THE RIGHT TOOLS

While experimentation is always a good thing, having the right tools on hand can be just as important. Don't make creating harder on yourself than it needs to be. If you have to struggle with using the wrong tools, you're not going to enjoy the process. 

9. CURIOSITY

Bring with you a "what if" mindset that will let you explore the boundaries of your creativity. It could lead to your next breakthrough or an amazing new technique or your signature style. Try new things, always.

10. YOU

That next amazing piece of art is not going to create itself. Get into your creative space and get to making it!

Remember, it's not always about what you have, but what you bring into a creative space and what you do with it! 

Now, get to creating!!

I've linked up this post on the following link parties: The Sway's Recipe & DIY Linky Beautifully Made, and Sew It Cook It Craft It. 

Stay Busy While Waiting for Inspiration (& Giveaway Winner)

Ever get that restless, need-to-do something NOW feeling but you just can’t bear to deal with your usual tools and supplies or you just are not feeling inspired by what's in front of you? I've made this quick list of a dozen ways you as an artist or creative-type can still busy yourself when your muse has left you stranded. 

1. Sort through old work: Take a good hard look at some of your previous works of art. What worked? What didn’t? Make notes. Take apart and/or repurpose what's just not working for you. 

2. Organize supplies: I imagine we all have a hoard of supplies and materials that are piled up or stashed away awkwardly. Or, there are those tools that are never within arms reach when you need them. Re-think and reorganize the layout or storage of your stash.

3. Clean your studio: Busy yourself with the mundane task of sweeping, wiping, sorting, and generally cleaning your creative space. Just being in there may spark that inspiration.

4. Clean your house: Sometimes your studio may feel too confining. Expand the cleaning frenzy to your living space. The mundaneness of chores will have you back in the studio in no time (at least that's the case for me.)

5. Go shopping: Even if it's window shopping online or in a brick and mortar store, take a look at what current trends and styles are out there or what new art materials are on the market. What calls out to you? What can you do better? And, getting out of your own headspace is always good. 

6. Explore social media: Blogs, Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram are not only full of eye-candy but behind all of that is real people.Take a moment to see what others are up to, lean on them for support, read about their struggles, share your own ideas and lack of motivation, find your tribe. Remember, it's SOCIAL media.

7. Go outside: Work in the garden. Go for a walk. Just take in a breath of fresh air. There's so much to absorb and take your mind off being stuck. From cloud patterns in the sky to leaves growing haphazardly to the breeze blowing across your face, let yourself be consumed with the beauty outside your door. You'll find interesting color combinations and patterns and contrasts that will help renew your creative spirit.

8. Read: Lose yourself in another world, another time, another place so when you come back to your table your view is a little different. However, if fiction's not your thing, a creative book or magazine may be all the break you need.

9. Exercise: There are those who SWEAR by the endorphin release that exercising gives you. I have to admit that I'm not really an exercise person. Though, I do enjoy stretching out the muscles from time to time.  Exercising, in general, is a good way to really focus on one thing and get your mind off the block. It's hard to think about making art when you're sweating your butt off (literally).

10. Create outside your area of expertise: If you make jewelry, try painting a little. If you paint, maybe sew something. If you sew, try knitting. And, so on and so forth.  Getting out of your comfort zone stretches those creative muscles so you can think more fluidly about your work. 

11. Do creative prepwork: Stay busy at your desk preparing for when you get that stroke of inspiration. As a jewelry designer, this can include making ear wires and clasps, aging wire, texturing or etching metal. For a painter, this might be building and gesso-ing canvases. Get yourself ready to be manic about creating.

12. Learn something new: Watch a video tutorial. Hone your photography skills. Take a class. Learning something new might shine a light on how you normally work or might help you incorporate something new into your process. Or, it just may give you a new outlet. 

Those are just some of the ways I like to stay busy when I'm in a creative rut. What are your tricks?

Now, for the GIVEAWAY winner! Using a random number generator, the winner is:

Congratulations! I'll be in touch with you.

Thank you to all of you who came by wishing me a happy blogiversary and who entered the giveaway. It was the perfect way to commemorate the occasion. 

Currently I'm. . .

Bookmarking: Most recently, I shared/re-pinned the following on Pintrest

Lemon Chicken Parmesean

DIY Faux Druzy Necklace

Creating: I’ve been making all kinds of stuff this week, but the major thing(s) was my resin-ating of these beauties.

I like all of these and have a few favorites, but how cool are those Christmas lights!?

Enjoying: The cooler weather. I can actually wear my fun, colorful tights again. I do love some brightly-hued legs.
Feeling: Really good about our diet this week. We got a Ninja blender last weekend and have made a ton of green smoothies. In addition, we also packed in a lot of other healthy foods.

I learned how to get the fruit out of a pomegranate yesterday, but not without this massacre scene.

Giggling: Over this picture. It’s not appropriate in the least for its language and content, so I won't share it here except for the link. But it seriously cracks me up. Be warned.
Hoping: My sunflowers last a good long time, they do brighten my kitchen so!

They were an impulse purchase at the grocery store. I couldn't resist their beauty!

Needing: To get organized. Something about Fall hitting full force has had me straightening the house and craft room. You might have seen my bead cabinet post, but I also organized my washi tape collection.

I really love this tape, despite not finding a way to use it consistently. I can't help but buy it though!

Reading: Pat got me Allegiant for my birthday and I’m really close to finishing it. Other friends who have read it seem desperate to discuss it. So I’m interested in seeing how it all ends.
Watching: It’s a Saturday in the Fall, so College Football obviously! Roll Tide!!
Wearing: Again, it’s college football Saturday so I’ve got my favorite Alabama t-shirt on.
Wishing: The days didn’t seem so short since the time change. I really don’t like it getting dark so soon in the evenings, but I do love the golden color as the sun starts to set.

I had to pull onto the side of the road when I saw the golden light in the oak trees. It was spectacular.

Wondering: If I can eke in some jewelry-making while I watch the games today.

Since there was a great deal of interest in the last blog post I wrote in this format I thought I'd share a longer list of topic prompts that I compiled. Here ya go!

Bookmarking
Cooking
Creating
Drinking
Eating
Enjoying
Feeling
Giggling
Hoping
Knowing
Liking
Listening
Listing
Looking
Loving
Making
Marveling
Needing
Noticing
Opening
Playing
Reading
Sewing
Smelling
Thinking
Waiting
Wanting
Wasting
Wearing
Wishing
Wondering

What have you been up to lately?

Do What You Love

Have you heard the old wives tale that whatever you do the first of the year you'll be doing all year long? I have and do take stock in some of those. You know, just in case. However, I really like the way Tim Holtz put it yesterday.  Basically, he said that you should be "starting the year off doing what you love." I tried to make sure that happened.
So, my New Years Day included

Ringing in the new year with the "ball" drop at MyPlace in downtown Fairhope

Alabama football (ROLL TIDE!!)

Blogging

A few great meals

Bacon and cheese omelet, wheat toast, and fresh strawberries

My attempt at Hoppin John and a spinach salad (with strawberries, carrots, walnuts, and poppy seed dressing)

Minimal cleaning

Tweeting and reading blogs
Listing a new item in the shop

Sweet Tooth Necklace

 Spending time with the love of my life and our kitties

Creating

Nine pairs of earrings (the pic doesn't do them all justice)

Making lists (like this one)

Keeping our blinds open all day to watch the rain storming outside

And generally enjoying ourselves

Now that the storms have passed, I'm hoping we'll actually make it out into the world today to enjoy it as well.
Oh, and for a funny. . .here's what I looked like on the last night of 2010 

I hope your first day was just as FABULOUS!!