I had something else in mind for today's post, but after I read Pam's thoughts yesterday, I wanted to talk about that. She wrote about making items based on what you already have rather than looking for something, that you would like to create from. I think she meant mostly preparing fabrics and designs beforehand, but it got me thinking the whole way I create.
I create one-of-a-kind of pieces. That said I still base my creations to a few designs like cellphone cozies, pouches and couple of different shaped bags. Then there are tweed pouches, they're sized depending the zipper length. So I could make my work more organized, definitely.
My lining and pockets are made of reused fabrics only. I hardly ever buy fabric as new. I feel that it makes my items even more special but it also slows the process as I need find just right sized piece of fabric. Or is it me just being "too creative" and not wanting to make for example five cellphone cozies one after the other? How hard would it have linings and buttons ready when I start knitting? Would I then need to base my needle felted decorations to my lining colors and not other way round (as I now do)?
How do you make your creating more quick, effective and easy? I am really interested in this matter as I really love what I do, but I definitely think that there are million ways to make my creative process better. I know your way might not be just the right for me, but there are many things you just do without realizing why before someone tells you. And I know it's hard to go and say hey, you could or should make this or that - but if one asks for advise? Bring it on, friends!
Thank you Pam, for making me think!
11 comments:
First of all Mia, Happy autumn!We had an amazing harvest moon in the sky last night with Jupiter shining beneath- a rare treat!
Interesting to read you blog -especially as I have a planned day indoors today to make some stock for a party next month.
As you know my jewellery making is a paid hobby rather than my job so I do appreciate many people have to make their living this way. Like you I too design one of a kind pieces. That said I will often buy a string of lovely beads or some lampwork glass beads and make one design which then leads to some that are similar but use other colours etc. Like you with your felting I can never exactly make the same piece again as many beads I use are one of a kind lampwork glass.
Often I start with a colour request from someone, if it is a commissioned piece, or sometimes I get the remains of a treasured inherited piece and I use that within a new piece, yes upcycled!
I would get too bored just repeating my designs so I certainly don't have a factory line going. I think that is why people do enjoy one of a kind pieces. The downside of this though is cost...yes it would be much more cost effective to have a process set up!
It will be very interesting to read other people's thoughts - we are all so individual and everyone will have a very valid different approach.
Have a great day creating!
Love Jane X
Hi Mia
I read Pam's post yesterday and I thought she was very organised. I know that I'm not that organised, I haves boxes of material but so often when I make a bag I have to go out and buy lining as none of what I have matches what I have made.
Like Jane mine is a paid hobby and I suppose I don't have to worry too much about doing that. However if creating is your living then perhaps Pam is right in what she does as being cost effective is very important.
Enjoy the reat of your day and don't think too much about it, you don't want to stiffle your creative spirit!!!
Vivienne x
Hello Jane,
And happy autumn to you too! It's not been that wonderful here (gray and rainy) but the nature has started to change its colors and the leaves are so beautiful!
Thank you for your thoughts! I think it's something little different for us who create unique pieces, you just cannot make those as effective and quick as the bags or anything you just keep making similar whole day? But I can get more organized and for example sew many zippers one after another etc. rather than jumping here and there for a minute to do this and back to do that...?
I get bored very easily too :)
Happy Thursday - it's almost weekend again!!!
Yours,
Mia
Hi Viv,
I know I am not that organized either and that's something I would like to get better at. But also as you said I do not want to change my unique pieces to anything else so I just have to compromise here? Make some things (cutting, ironing, sewing) at one time and then concentrating on my decorations - that should help? Also my fabrics are in boxes, and I spent hours just trying to find something I know is in there... But maybe that's the fun part ;)
Happy crafting!
Yours,
Mia
Mia, I think what makes your work so beautiful and probably part of why you love doing it, is that you think about every piece before you make it and you care that everything looks just right. Once you start becoming a "production line" you sometimes lose what made creating so much fun. (I know this from my experience)!
Happy weekend.
Hello trixi,
And thank you so much for your comment. At it's just what I have been thinking too, my kind of items simply cannot be made as quick and effective as some other kind of items. Thank you for reminding me of this :)
Happy and sunny weekend!
Yours,
Mia
P.S. I'll be spending some time today in your blog, seems so interesting!
Hi Mia, Indeed I make a lot of my items seemingly without a real idea. Simply going through the things I already. I enjoy creating in this way keeps it fun and interesting.
Not liking to make the same thing twice either and lately working very slowly. Was doing good creating, pooping out last week found myself a bit lazy and just enjoying me time. Actually redecorating some areas of my home.
Often I get to involved in browsing creative blogs. Right Oh, not the thing to do no creating gets done. Oh Well!
Have a great weekend on your end. Hugs, Dani
Hi Mia, Indeed I make a lot of my items seemingly without a real idea. Simply going through the things I already. I enjoy creating in this way keeps it fun and interesting.
Not liking to make the same thing twice either and lately working very slowly. Was doing good creating, pooping out last week found myself a bit lazy and just enjoying me time. Actually redecorating some areas of my home.
Often I get to involved in browsing creative blogs. Right Oh, not the thing to do no creating gets done. Oh Well!
Have a great weekend on your end. Hugs, Dani
Hi Dani,
Thank you for your comment again! I also have busy-oh-how-creative-I-am -moments and then some slower phases, but maybe that is part of the process? And I find myself quite interested in decorating the house in autumn(s) also, I have this urge to clean the cupboards and closets...For Christmas, obviously ;) ?
Happy and creative Sunday!
Yours,
Mia
Hi Mia,
I just read Pams post and the process she describes is pretty much exactly how I work, but I think that's partly because of my background (Theatre Design Degree etc) so I've alway worked this way and I also host my own site so listing an item takes a lot of time so I prefer to make more than one. I also like to have a set number of products available each Season, but change the colours.
I love the way you work though, you should just go with what works best for you, I'm sure you can incorporate some part's of Pams plan but still keep the individuality of your wonderful designs, or not. Whatever feels right.
Bethx
Hello again, Beth!
So nice to have you commenting as you're one of the idols of mine *smile* as your work is perfect and your routine making it seems so neat and organized. I admire that, and would like to get my way more structured as it's creative-chaos-style - yet (to my own surprise sometimes)I still get things done and enjoy the process in the meanwhile ;)
Happy and creative week!
Yours,
Mia
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