How do you get out of your creative ruts?

[Former_Member]

I was just reading the most recent featured seller interview and came across this Q&A:
How do you get out of your creative ruts?
saratops responds: Stepping away from the project always seems to work. I tend to have more ideas than time, and with the constant flow of ideas in my head, there’s never a problem of finding a fresh new project to start. The hard part then becomes how to sort through all of the ideas to pick one to pursue.

So I wanted to throw this question out to the Etsy Success Team! How do *you* get out of your creative ruts?

[Former_Member]

Link to the interview: http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/featured-seller-saratops/

[Former_Member]

definately as she said, stepping away for a while and coming back with fresh eyes. Also doing something completely different for a day or two means you come back with a new perspective.Its too easy to get so wrapped up in our ideas then we cant seed the wood for the trees!

[SleepingKnight]

I rarely get in a creative rut, but when I do, I like to look at photographs of items I made back when I was a booth owner at Renaissance Fairs across the US. I tend to see something new each time I look at the pics. I also have a multitude of unfinished jewelry projects. I tend to try and finish those as well.

[Former_Member]

If I feel I'm in a rut, I give myself permission to make something truly, terribly awful -- to try out something that I think would never sell. The process of making something without boundaries or rules always gets me out of my rut, and some of my best ideas have come out of doing that.

[EvesLittleEarthlings]

I truly believe that ruts are part of my creative process. I use my "rut time" to restock my shelves with favourite selling items in my shop. When I get well and truly bored with that, I am ready to start something brand new. I agree with saratops: The hardest part is choosing a new project. I often mull over a new idea for weeks or months, figuring out how to make it before actually starting.

[Former_Member]

If I have a real block with something I leave it for a while and work on something different, usually in another medium, so if a textile piece isn't working I might draw for a couple of days or think about the next group of clay pieces I want to do.

Or move onto something that needs my urgent attention like packaging or photographing my work for listings. All these things take my mind off the creative block and can often inspire that eureka moment. ( a big block can sometimes take weeks or months to resolve) but as long as I'm busy with other things it doesn't worry me.

[Former_Member]

I also like to dip into "The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life," by dance choreographer Twyla Tharp. A wonderful, inspirational book.

[AggieRay]

Definitely taking a break and getting away from the projects. Get out and do something totally different to get your mind off of it. Even getting away for a few days helps. Many shops have there work in or near them all the time... get away...

[heartsabustin]

What she said.

If I'm finding that a project is getting too frustrating, or the thread keeps breaking, or the wire just won't bend right, the best thing I can do is put down the scissors or pliers (or the torch - I like to live dangerously), and just walk away. A lot of times that break will help me solve the problem without me even thinking about it. I'll water my garden or grab a book and just chill. This is too much fun for me to stress myself out about it!

[Former_Member]

I take a break from my projects. Living close to NYC, its wonderful to be able to step outside and become inspired by other artwork, museums, stores, etc.

[Former_Member]

I go out to the bookstore, turn on the tv or listen to the radio to find new trends or new ideas that spark my creative juices flowing!

[Davs]

Changing mediums like if I'm stuck in a rut oil painting the best thing for me to do is switch to oil pastels for a while.

[ConcertinaPress]

I love the quote

"water must simmer before it comes to a boil"

and I think of it everytime I'm feeling guilty for "not creating" - sometimes I go on long breaks where I just want to read or watch some mindless show on DVD, so I remind myself of that quote, and relax!

(What's REALLY tough is if you're stuck, BUT on a deadline, that's the worst - then I grab a beer and some chocolate and muscle down on it)

[SoulRole]

@moonbindery

I also like to dip into "The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life," by dance choreographer Twyla Tharp. A wonderful, inspirational book.

This sounds like just the book for me

!Dance is the BEST way for me to get out of a creative rut and connect with the creative source.I also LOVE to go on early evening walks...once I get up to the top of the very steep hill I live on,the cobwebs have been cleared and the pure beauty of the Earth never ceases to inspire a million ideas!I actually have not had much of a creative rut ...more like frustration at my limited amount of time to CREATE!

[Former_Member]

Agree with Heartsabustin: Water the garden. most therapeutic thing ever.

[Former_Member]

Also: I read from: "Affirmations for artists". Written by an alumn of stuyvesant HS, my old school. Very insightful quotes about how to deal with different emotions and circumstances as an artist, and it's not a book you need to read page to page, just flip to your feeling and then the answers are there :) love it!

[Former_Member]

Going for a hike here in the Smokies helps a lot,breathing meditation, and
hoping that tomorrow will bring the clarity of vision I'm dreaming off...

[robayre]

I'm a big believer in tradition, rituals and schedules for productivity. For example, working at the same desk, at the same time of day, with your favorite playlist going on in the background.
But, sometimes those rituals can get stale and this is when it's time for a change. Moving the furniture, or location is great! Using new tools, or even listening to new music. Anything that gives you a breath of fresh air and stirs up the routine can bring excitement into approaching your work again.

[Former_Member]

Definitely, I do something else creative. I get my creativity from lots of sources; but the more I practice being creative, the more creative I am about the products in my business.

[Former_Member]

I fell into a creative and spiritual rut for a while recently, but after beginning "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron, I have found new inspiration by allowing myself time to play. When I'm frustrated and have sewn something backwards and inside out for the second time, I just take a break to do something solely for fun, completely without purpose. That's usually just the break I need, and then I can get back to the project, and back to being creative, with renewed energy.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for linking this... I have the same issue... too many ideas too little time lol I need to force myself to focus

[Former_Member]

When I get into a creative rut I like to take a nature walk. There's always some new inspiration out there :)

[WrappedbyDesign]

I like to browse members who are very successful here on Etsy, when I see how well others are doing I get competitive and that ALWAYS brings back my creativity, without fail!
:))

[JenlynnStudios]

Like Saratops, I almost ALWAYS have too many ideas and not enough time! But I do try to get out of the house, away from my projects and just breathe when I have too much swimming around in my head. I find that taking a step back allows me to focus on the most logical projects.