As crafters most of us probably have times where we run into a creative block, aren’t happy with what we are creating, feel frustrated or stuck. It happens to the best of us, if you’re the creative type you’re just not always going to have ideas flowing freely all the time. For me personally I like to step away and focus on something else and then come back and look at the project with fresh eyes or show it to someone who might provide some helpful, constructive ideas. I also love to take a look at other peoples project ideas or my own past work to help me get unstuck. Also it can be helpful to know most others don’t see the same “imperfections” we might notice and they just see your wonderful art work.
I recently came across a few articles that tackle this topic. One from Sandy Allnock who shares a video with some tips for over coming “bad art days” while she works on some pretty stamped floral cards. You can watch this over on her blog.
And also a video from Jill Foster on how to avoid “crafty decision fatigue” while she uses stamps and dies from Penny Black and creates some beautiful cards. Watch this video over on the Penny Black Youtube channel.
Justine Hovey and a couple of her crafty friends also are having a discussion about handmade cards being “too perfect”. Do we hold ourselves to too high a standard trying to make the “perfect” design, do we hold back trying new products because we think we can’t do it and also comparing ourselves to other designers instead of being happy that we had fun and made something by hand no matter the result? Check out her video over on the Justine Hovey Youtube channel.
I hope these tips and ideas will help you out next time you are struggling at your crafting table.
-Heather
