I’ve been making jewelry.
It’s not because I’m a jewelry maker. Heck, I don’t even know how to do wire work or bead work or solder metal for bracelets…but that’s exactly the point. I’ve been doing something artistic but something that I don’t know how to do, to help with overcoming creative block.
If you’re a creative person you might have experienced this nuisance.
One morning you realize that for days (weeks?), you’ve been lacking inspiration and now that you mention it, you’ve also been feeling drained physically and struggling to meet your deadlines.
That’s exactly where I was just a few weeks into the new year. At the time, I didn’t have the luxury of doing things to jumpstart my creativity, I had project due dates that were pressing in on me.
But in the past few weeks, I’ve allowed myself some creative breathing room.
I’ve consistently turned down opportunities to work with brands…because if I’m struggling with creativity, it’s not fair to them…
I’ve cut my time online significantly…now, when I’m online, there’s a good reason-
I cancelled an out of state conference trip…right now I don’t want 100 more things to-do with/to my blog, I’m an introvert craving serenity and stillness…I need to refuel.
And I have been slowly working on restoring order to my life. If you’re a blogger, you’ll understand me when I say, 7 straight years of blogging non-stop – can absolutely sap the order right out of a person’s life…
All those things were helping but I still needed a little infusion of creative energy. In the past, when I run into a creative block, I try something new…
Something inspired but unfamiliar.
Something creative, but not necessarily something I know how to do.
When I start a new thing, it immediately frees my mind of expectations and comparisons…because, after all, I don’t know what I’m doing. I find I’m kinder and gentler with myself.
When I made my DIY Wood Rosary/Gratitude Beads, I fell in love with the knotting.
Not unlike crocheting or knitting, knotting is repetitive. At the same time it gives your hands an almost rhythmic task, your mind has time and space to rest.
A few days after I finished my beads, I saw these dreamy Agate beads on Amazon.
Click on photo to take you to the beads- this is an affiliate link
Inspiration stirred in me…not much mind you…but enough to give me an idea or two.
So jewelry making became my unfamiliar creative endeavor.
I ordered a few more things from Amazon, then went to a couple of my favorite craft stores for more supplies. Finally, I rummaged through my old-tangled up jewelry and found even more to work with…
I spent just a little time looking at some jewelry making tutorials online, careful not to get carried away with the nuts and bolts of jewelry making…because I’m not going to open a shop, I’m just trying to jolt my creative self out of her funk…
And ya know what? I think it’s working. For the past several mornings, I can’t wait to get upstairs to my studio (project room/craft room/office)!
I could have picked any number of things besides jewelry making…and who knows, I still might!
I was thinking about knitting or macrame … 🙂
Have you ever experienced a creative block? If so, I’d love to hear your ideas for un-blocking your inspiration…
Sending love & wishes for you to have an inspired day ~ xo
Melinda says
April 14, 2016 at 7:28 amI like to see what everyone else does…I have zero creativity:*( like your bracelets:) You’re not going to sell them? Its a shame you don’t they are all lovely!
Julie Garmon says
April 14, 2016 at 8:29 amI’m sitting here in total amazement at your jewelry making ability. Robin…..all of it is so beautiful!!!
And yes, I do things to jump-start my creativity. When I feel my writing creativity on empty, sometimes I’ll pick up one of my favorite books–maybe something by Kristin Hannah–and open it to any page and just let myself get lost in the story. I see how, on every page, she’s drawing me in–no matter where I open her books.
I bake.
I eat chocolate. Drink coffee. Caffeine helps me when creativity runs dry.
Sometimes being with creative people helps.
I have discovered that I DO need a lot of alone time to write.
Walking helps. Shopping. But I don’t have to buy anything and I don’t mean going to the mall, but to little shops on the square.
Love you. Love your jewelry. Love your creativity.
Gina says
April 14, 2016 at 1:12 pmIt sounds like you’ve found a new hobby! There are so many beautiful supplies out there for inspiration. I’m glad it helped restore your creativity. 🙂 My sister is a jewelry maker. She had a business, (my parents old business) but she closed it because she loved the creative side, but ended up doing too much repair work, etc. Now she is a teacher, but makes some on the side and does a few of craft shows a year. 🙂 Funny thing is, I’m not much of a jewelry lover. 😛
Eileen says
April 14, 2016 at 1:14 pmI can’t even tell that you had not made jewelry before, Robin. They are all so very nice! You are very creative. I love the beads you picked out from Amazon! I am going to show this to my daughter who makes jewelry for herself, not to sell.
For me, to get my creative juices flowing., I pick up my knitting or crochet. Nothing hard, just something simple such as a scarf. Or, I work outside with my flowers. They both do wonders.
Sometimes we just have to say no and take time for ourselves. Cut the stress. Live simply. Live happy.
Love to you, my friend.
Robin says
April 17, 2016 at 5:08 pmlove your ideas Eileen- I can’t knit very well but I do finds it frees my mind and makes me feel very creative – sending love ox
Kathy Alexander says
April 14, 2016 at 2:06 pmI am there now :/ I have unfinished projects and ideas, but no creative drive. My thyroid is low and energy went with it. I am getting ready to try folk art painting. I painted many years ago when I did craft shows. So I am hoping this will jump start me again. Thank you for sharing. I thought I was alone. May God be Glorified by our creativity.
Mary - The Boondocks Blog says
April 24, 2016 at 7:15 amI have only been blogging for a year and I am going to take next week off to refuel and celebrate my orthodox Easter so I certainly can understand where you are coming from. Your creations are beautiful and it is understandable that you would not want to shortchange yourself. I hope you have found your mojo! I am hosting a new link party and would love it if you were to link up w ith us. It is called Sweet Inspiration and runs Friday till Tuesday.
Jeanne Grunert says
April 26, 2016 at 7:51 pmYes – this! You said it perfectly. I think a lot of us don’t know when enough is enough. Great blog post. Sharing and thank you for posting it to the #HomeMattersParty
Carol ("Mimi") says
March 27, 2017 at 10:45 amYour jewelry pieces are beautiful, and I like the display area with the old book pages. I’m glad to hear that you’ve begun to get some inspiration back.