How do you keep your creativity flowing?

[#1]

It's almost a new year – a clean slate, a fresh start, a blank page in your sketchbook to fill with new projects and possibilities. What will you make of 2014?

As the new year approaches, we want to hear your advice for keeping creatively energized, even when you encounter challenges along the way like stress, ruts, self-doubt, clutter, and endlessly busy schedules. Who knows, your tip may even be included in a post on this topic Seller Handbook.

>>So tell us, how do you keep your creativity flowing all year-round?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
Shannon

[GreenMarthaBoutique]

I am allowing myself a little break from creating products, and the first thing was to put away supplies - neatly organized into their closet, they are a huge source of inspiration. So many ideas are born out of the eternal question "What can I make out of this ?" When I want to start a textile collection, I choose my materials and lay them out where I can see them constantly. This helps me gets motivated and lets my mind work out possible combinations.
I also keep several notebooks for ideas. I note everything down. Maybe it will turn into something, maybe not, maybe I'll revisit in four years and make something completely different out of it. You never throw away ideas, reuse, remake, recycle !
When I have some down time I will immerse myself in other people's creativity - visit an exhibition, open a book, browse the web... Things will infuse and now and then that special spark will happen...

[MaiaMingDesigns]

I have a pretty big list of designs I would like to make in the next year, it is mainly a matter of finding the bandwidth and resources to do them!! Right now I have a self watering planter pot in the works and another green project too :)

[WomanShopsWorld]

Taking a break always seems to refuel my creativity. For a long time I had a hard time believing that it would work, and a friend kept telling me to take a few short walks throughout the day.
Finally I tried it every day for a week or so, and she was right!

I now force myself to stop and take a walk a few times a day, and it's amazing how it clears my head and mind. I find that I am always refreshed and come back with new ideas.

[LunaPines]

Cleaning the studio while listening to my favorite music! Followed by hitting the library or book store to scope out some art books. Sometimes even starting a new Pinterest board to collect all your new inspirations.... It's some serious "me time" but it really pays off in the long run :)

[IndieJewelryClub]

Fashion blogs and traveling are my #1!

[WaveSong]

I practise Julia Cameron's Artist Way tools of Morning Pages and Artist Date. That helps me to keep my creativity vital.

[Former_Member]

I keep my creativity flowing a number of ways; I need open space that is naturally lit and tidy in order to feel comfortable, if there's too much clutter I'll be unsettled and disorganized. To clear my mind, I usually start my work very early in the morning when I'm task-free and there's peace & quiet in my house, then a good playlist in my headphones gets me motivated. Browsing other creative seller's shops keeps me inspired along with fashion magazines and window shopping. I know it's important to keep up with trends too so I try to pay attention to what consumers are into at the moment, and focus on how I can bring my own uniqueness to that particular style. In addition, my iPhone is my brain's Other Half, storing all my notes and ideas whenever they pop in my head. ~Happy 2014 to everyone!

[Angelheartdesigns]

2014..I am so excited! I make everything I sell, so my job is quite a bit of labor and extremely dusty working with clay all day!
I plan to make time daily to organize, and clean, my studios! I have 3. I will make it fun, and have chocolate or a bowl of ice cream..and turn off my phone.

I will call it "my creative power hour" and will have to do it daily...no matter what being my creative exercise!

For inspiration and motivation I will continue to make lists, and set timers and always make time for a "think hour" or "think 30" which has really helped me to point my business in the right direction (timers are the best!)

Cindy :)

[laurastark]

I've already started creating new items for 2014. If you are hitting certain markets - that is crucial to stay ahead of the game.

That said, after the holidays, I like to give the studio as thorough organizational overhaul. It's important for your space as well as mental outlook.

Keep creativity flowing by looking at the sources that you know will trigger those "ah ha" moments. Visit museums, travel, buy a magazine that inspires you, borrow books from the library.

[AvonnieStudio]

I would browse sites like Pinterest and go to the malls for inspirations. By doing that, I get to keep up with the trend.

[tamarakraft]

In the height of shipping holiday orders, I had what I came to call, "The 7 Layers of Hell" on my desk. My business had tripled from the previous year, but I was going to bed unsatisfied and exhausted.

I scheduled a day off from my regular job and used that time to tackle the disaster that was my home office. I have been organized and caught up ever since, and have even created some new designs I will be releasing for Valentine shopping in January.

Now I sleep exhausted and happy, just the way I like it.

[MoonAndHare]

In January, I clear out my studio, dusting and dealing with all the clutter that accumulates during the Christmas season. Then I take some "not thinking about my work" time -- taking walks, going to the art museum, listening to music, daydreaming. That, more than anything, gets my creativity flowing again. I think that taking a little time away -- even if it's just snippets of time here and there -- is really vital for creativity and mental well-being.

[Former_Member]

I have been so busy over the last two months that I have really neglected my shop. Over the next few weeks I will be looking to create a list of everything I need to do and hope to start working through it come the next year. I find it hard to motivate myself and remain creative at the best of times though so we will see how it goes!! Wish me luck!

[WatchMeWorld]

I have to say that when it comes to finding a source of creative inspiration, my customers are brilliant! Customers come to me so often looking for a special piece, sometimes knowing exactly what they want, sometimes just describing something in general terms. It's such an adventure creating a custom piece of jewelry for customers. My skills as a metalsmith are constantly challenged by custom requests, but some of my most beloved creations have been inspired by custom work. While brainstorming possibilities for customers, I often come up with 2 or 3 new ideas that find their way into my shop.

[TheRusticHome]

The area I live in inspires me constantly! I also find inspiration in family and friends, or even people watching at times. Their personalities can often inspire me to come up with a new owl or design based on their appearance or behavior. I have a new design coming out in 2014 that was inspired by my daughter's friend who got some groovy new glasses recently.... and often times I am inspired simply by watching the wildlife where we live.

[Former_Member]

As a total newbie to Etsy and having a new full-time job, I am enjoying fitting in my hand embroidering during short bus-ride commutes to & from work. I splurged and bought a messenger bag needlework organizer straight from DMC.com. Now I am able to work on my embroidered place mats in those short snippets of time we all have, like waiting at a doctor's office. I am focused on doing an awesome job at my 9 to 5, while still making things I love and want to share with the world.

[Former_Member]

As I am new to Etsy, I need to find ways to stay creative and produce more products. That said, I find that sitting down and thinking about my hobbies is one way to draw inspiration and see what I can incorporate into my designs. Going to museums is another great way to stay creative as I can what others have created using different mediums and in different eras. I can see many styles that excite me.

[CurlicueCreations]

My creativity is the only thing I have going for me. I cling to it voraciously. If it goes, I will be lost.

[Former_Member]

I'm looking to try my hand at new crafts. I sew, but I'd like to get my hands on learning knitting techniques.

[IvoryCatCreations]

Ideas are always there. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with the solution for a new string of beads and how to best use them. Pictures in my mind come so fast I have to sketch them so I won't lose them.

Lately I have not had a creative thought. My best friend of 30 years died way to soon from breast cancer and I have sabotaging my self by piling paperwork all over my work space. Hopefully after the holidays I can find my way back from her loss.

[aftertheZ]

For a few weeks I couldn't sleep because I was thinking about fabrics, designs etc. But then this weekend I hit a wall... and I just didn't fight it.
I took a day and focused on other things that had to be done... just go with the flow. Don't fight what your mind and body tells you and you'll come back refreshed and ready to go again.

[Former_Member]

I find inspiration everywhere. The real question is 'which design from my sketchbook do I want to try next?' LOL

As for being stuck, I find the best solution is to walk away and it will come to you organically. Trying to force inspiration never works... and the final product usually reflects that. But that's when the old sketchpad comes in super handy!!

[andralynn]

Creativity comes naturally to children, so when I feel like I am stuck in an artistic rut, I spend time with my little girls building blanket forts, telling stories, imagining dragons, and fighting pirates (while surrounded by pink sharks wearing tutus, of course). It's amazing how much inspiration they can give, and when I go back to my studio I have so many ideas it's impossible to get them all down on canvas.

[PennyBirchWilliams]

It is hard to find the time to develop all the ideas I have. I used to just plunge into a new idea without much planning or consideration. Now I try to edit my ideas so that whatever I want to do will make some sense as far as fitting into my shop, the time and cost of making it versus the price I would think was appropriate, the likelihood of anyone wanting to buy it, etc. I'm evaluating how my different product lines have worked out and decide what to continue with, expand, or let go of in 2014.

I find inspiration in nature, in my pets and visiting parks and zoos, just looking around at the world. I write down my ideas and make sketches. Sometimes I'll be searching for the next thing to do, and after a few days, some new idea will just come to me, and I know my mind has been working on the issue without me being conscious of it. Sometimes focusing too hard makes it more difficult to find the way, and letting go of the need to solve the problem or come up with an idea will let it float into my consciousness.

[BodiceBeautifulBoBe]

To keep creative there are a few things to divert me. I spend hours in the local library immersed in books on art and design, architecture and food. I go for a cycle to country places. There are art galleries, country houses and museums. And there is my urban-rural garden with its summerhouse and vinyl records, and my four rabbits. I also write novels and lose myself in dreams of other worlds. But most of all I find a friend and we share our thoughts and a glass or two of wine. When all else fails I walk outside in the full moonlight under the stars.