How do you keep your creativity flowing?

[Former_Member]

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

[Former_Member]

First, I always think: "what would I like to see as a buyer?" As someone who makes a lot of winter wear, this is the perfect time to year to be thinking about what I'd like to be bundled up with--what colors, what styles, how thick/thin/soft/bulky of a yarn. I also pay attention to what those around me are wearing, and think about how I can make that my own. Anytime I see something crocheted, even if it's mass-produced, I start to think about how I could make a crochet pattern like that.

[SilverLilyJewelry]

I'm inspired by my Indian heritage, fashion, movies , books, nature, ideas in my head, my own collection of jewelry. Sometimes it's all of the mentioned or one or two combined. At times I'm inspired by a mood like currently the pristine white against the gritty grey of a snowy landscape, warm cozy hibernation feelings or a crisp winter sunrise awash in pale golden shades. When I'm in self doubt I call my baby sister or consult my friends who are also my best customers. For ruts I simply take time off to enjoy my family and friends and with 3 boys there is barely enough time to make everything I plan to make!

[Former_Member]

It has been snowing a whole day. A cup of hot chocolate with few shots of grand marnier indeed keeps my creativity flying! Happy holidays everyone!

[WildTruthDesignCo]

A clean house! Haha. But seriously, I find when I fall behind on housework (usually due to over-working), my creativity really starts to slump. My goal for 2014 is to keep my house clean(er!) and have a dedicated studio space in my home where I can go to be creative & keep my mind clutter free.

[ittybittybag]

I get my inspiration by making items that fill a need. It is hard to find the right fabrics & enough pockets or where they are located. By customizing each design it has inspired, challenged and pushed my work to new levels. I share these projects and the cycle continues. This is handmade.

[jewelrybyNaLa]

I wish I could put a finger on what keeps me motivated to create. For me, it's more of a "just is" than a conscious effort. Creativity is a core part of my inner workings and much of what makes me happy, so I don't necessarily need outside motivators to keep it going. If anything, it's what keeps me going.

[Former_Member]

Can you send some of your talent this way. I thought I had some good ideas and posted items that would sell ie opals for someone to work with at a great price nothing sold.
Antique items nothing sold
Items I made at a low price nothing.
So I am at a loss.
Also tried promoting.

Dawn

[SeptemberHouse]

I agree with Mindy - clearing some space really seems to help!

I recently started keeping a sketchbook with me at all times and have been happily surprised at how helpful that can be. You would be amazed at what you can come up with in those little downtimes that pop up throughout the day. It feel really good to fill up those moments with inspiration and creativity.

[michellemach]

Take custom orders! Often customers will have ideas for projects I never considered and their enthusiasm about getting something especially made for them is contagious.

[silkoak]

My most successful creative endeavors frequently come from letting go of doing things the way I think they "should" be done!
I view the new year as an opportunity to recalibrate and set new directions. For 2014, I plan on being more strategic in what I take on, taking some time each day for myself and practicing being in the present moment. Ahh, I'm less stressed already!

[gimmethatthing]

I get inspiration and motivation by looking through my Etsy favourites section. I've just spent 3 hours putting all my favourites into sub sections and discovered bits and pieces that I'd favourited at least a year ago. This has given me some ideas for some new designs. After Christmas I'll be making some supplies purchases and getting started. Can't wait!

[amysfunkyfibers]

I have ordered some new wool roving that I just can't wait to get my hand on and felt. The hot chocolate and grand marnier mentioned above sounds like a winner. I am really looking forward to the new year!

[LipsticKissPress]

Definitely time to refresh the office, rearrange furniture in your room or your house. Look at everything in a new way, read new books, watch new films - inspiration can come from any corner!

Happy holidays and good luck to you all! :D

[Former_Member]

inspiration has waivered for me this holiday season as my day job increased in hours/responsibilities and along with that went my energy level at the end of each day. There are SO many ideas for products in my head and I hope to find a better way to manage my creative time in 2014!

[SnarkFactory]

I get bored very easy, so in order to maintain inspiration, I need to feel constantly challenged. For the new year, I have plans to rebrand my shop, start a mailing list, open up my audience to appeal to men, start a line of clothing (hopefully, haven't figured out the logistics yet) and if I'm satisfied with my brand as a whole, start seeking wholesale deals. Another source of inspiration for me will be school! I've gotten my basic classes out of the way so now I'll get to start taking fun graphic design classes. I'm very excited about that, working around other artists in a medium i'm unfamiliar with is amazing. Every now and then when I start doubting myself or my work, I like to break my bigger (daunting) goals into teeny tiny little ones and celebrate each time I cross one off the list. Accomplishing ten tiny goals feels just as good as accomplishing one big one, and that's a sure fire way to get me back on the right track.

I'm looking forward to the new year and new adventures :)

[nauli]

We wanna go on our first summer holidays since we've started Nauli and let a friend do the shipping. This means we need to have lots of ready stock and a perfectly organized storage room and office.
We're sure, getting everything ready like this will bring us to the next step of business, beside allows us to relax for 3 weeks or so, it will bring more free time to finish ideas and develop new ones!

[Former_Member]

Clean and organize not just my studio but my house for start, that will help me to let go all the stress from the holiday season rush and make me sleep better too, and when my studio is clean and organize I plan to work in inventory, cyber monday was great time to buy many new supplies that I didn't have the time to play with so many new designs are coming SOON!

[TheWeaverOfWords]

Positive affirmations really work for me.

Also "just doing it", not worrying about what is going to be created, simply jumping into "creating"...

when I'm writing a Custom Story, sometimes the customer's 15 words suggest an overall arch of a story, sometimes they don't....when they don't, I simply type the words onto a blank page and start writing...sometimes I save the words in a fancy font that suits the "mood" of the words.... there's something magical about those chosen words, and there's something magical about just jumping into the story without knowing where it's going to take me....it just seems to come, especially in the wee hours of the morning when everyone is still sleeping. There's something really enchanting about that time...it's when my creativity flows the most freely.

The Artist Way by Julia Cameron is Very Helpful too... I Love going on "Artist Dates" I Love that Book!

[sistersilver]

I never seem to run out of ideas that are dreams of what to do in free time. I bought out an enamel shop and LOVE playing in it. I always want to hone my skills, so this is the time of year to push myself up a notch...an especially wonderful thing to do after tons of more repetitive stuff over the holidays. Those skills are in my brain, so time to practice new ones. Somewhere on the way, I will latch on to something that drives me even harder and I know that's the direction I will go for until I don't. It is so great to be in a vocation where I can choose to continue in the direction I am going or go along all those other pathways that have presented themselves over the years. What is most wonderful is that they can all add up into something new...something totally different and something I would never have been able to "plan" for a million dollars...and it is totally unique.
I urge every artist to follow his or her own flow. It is amazing what happens when you do. Driven from the outside for money will never really make one happy.

[Former_Member]

I am studying my shop statistics and making a "shop plan" for 2014 based largely on what I have learned. The key words and tags that bring in the views....what items sell the fastest, what has been most requested....where my biggest number of customers come from. It's a bit like having all the pieces I need to put together the best picture of my customers needs.

[Former_Member]

I keep my creativity flowing by taking classes. Sometimes the class is directly related to my Etsy business, book binding; sometimes it's similar, such the art journal workshop I took earlier this year; or other times it's totally unrelated, like cooking. Getting out of the studio and meeting new people really energizes me and keeps my creativity flowing.

[thelonebeader]

I listen to what my customers want and I also take custom order requests.. Sometimes these designs turn into best sellers. I also keep a running list of every idea that pops into my head. If I ever wonder what to bead next, I take a look at my list:)

[DiBeauDesigns]

I recently moved into an apartment building with a very active social calendar. I've done a few jewelry shows here that were very successful because NO COMPETITION! :)
Anyway I get a lot of inspiration from my customers, who are constantly telling me what they like and asking if I can do it for them. I end up making the custom item and then get carried away making similar items. My neighbors are full of suggestions and keep me on my toes.

[ParadisePapercraft]

I keep an eye on my best sellers and expand carefully around that theme.
I've found my niche in nerd cards and am slowly developing more - more custom orders are great for inspiring new designs