What Keeps Your Creativity Flowing?
We’ve all been there. You’ve whipped out piece after piece of fabulous jewelry and then all of a sudden…you’re stuck. The creative ideas won’t come and all you’ve done for the past hour is push beads around the bead mat, hoping for inspiration to strike! When making jewelry, how can you keep the creativity flowing and overcome those blocks we all face from time to time? We’ve asked designers we work with and our own designers this question to help inspire you. Make sure to read all the way to the end to find out how you could win a $50 Artbeads gift card and a Bead Buddy Junior travel case to keep your creativity flowing!
Our own designer Cheri Carlson had this to say about finding creative inspiration:
I get energized when I see what others have created. Going to markets, galleries, antique stores. I used to be a magazine hound with clippings everywhere, but Pinterest is now my favorite tool for collecting all kinds of inspiration and it’s so organized – no clutter!
Lenka Bindzar, the founder of Raven’s Journey, designs amazing Czech glass beads. How does she keep the ideas coming?
I have a lot of practical tasks at work. We are a small business, so sometimes I have to get my hands dirty. My favorite part of the job is the creative side – when I have all of my “chores” done and it’s time to create, I’m very excited for the task. My customers are also very inspiring with their amazing creations…Even though I know what I love, I want to create beads for more than one style of beading and their perspective is welcome and valued.
Lenka visiting with Cynthia at the Artbeads Cafe
Grace Ma of Grace Lampwork Beads is inspired by the colors of the glass she is constantly working with:
I think glass colors are like music notes. There are endless combinations in music, and the same goes for the glass colors. Playing with glass in the flame, you always can discover some surprising results like a child digging in the sand, picking up sea shells. It’s so fun. There’s a curious girl living in my heart. I just let her do whatever she wants, set her free, and let her have fun. Also, I ask my customers what they want. Always listen to your customers, they never go wrong.
Beautiful Colors in Grace Lampwork Beads
Nunn Design’s Becky Nunn is inspired by inspiring others:
The mission of Nunn Design is: Through collaborative relationships, Nunn Design inspires and nurtures creativity. Being true to this mission is a passion for me. When I’m developing new products, I am not just thinking about making beautiful findings. I think a great deal about how I am going to inspire others to create and how my customers are going to use the jewelry components. I find the aspect of designing components that a variety of jewelry artists are able to create with to be very creatively challenging.
Anne, the maker behind Gardanne Beads, takes inspiration wherever she can find it:
It is a common answer but it is true: my main inspiration is nature. I am inspired by other artists from all disciplines…I love collaborating with other artists, it has always been a rewarding experience for me…I love online eCourses, especially in painting…Pinterest, of course. I have boards on color combinations, doodles, paintings, etc. When I am having a rough time in the studio, many times this can jumpstart my creativity….Looking back at my own work can stimulate me to further explore a technique or a color combination that I forgot about.
Some of the pictures Anne takes of nature that inspires her. She loves how the camera on her phone allows her to catch inspiration before it slips away.
TierraCast’s Tracy Gonzales likes to find inspiration in specific projects:
I am most inspired by “gifting”, meaning I need to create something to give to someone else. I am currently distracted by crocheting hats for babies!
Finally, Beadalon’s Wyatt White gives a quick answer to what helps the creativity flow:
Red wine in a really nice glass.
We’ll drink to that! If you need more ideas for overcoming creative blocks, check out this Facebook Live video, where Cynthia and Cheri share more tips for letting the creativity flow: