Overcoming Creative Blocks – Tips for Polymer Clay Artists

Things You Can Do To Prevent Artistic Dry Spells From Getting The Better Of You:

Do you ever experience creative blocks? Or find yourself in need of inspiration but, are unsure where your 'artistic muse' is hiding?

I am often surprised to hear people say they have trouble with creativity. A lack of inspiration is almost a foreign concept to me. In fact, most of the time my brain is so filled with ideas that it can be overwhelming.

In the past I've thought about getting a job in one of those 'think tanks' where you get paid to sit around in a room, throwing out ideas to people in white lab coats… behind one-way mirrors… frantically taking notes. You know… like in the movies. Not really sure if those kinds of places are for real, or if I'm just letting my imagination run wild again :)

Anyway, although I rarely experience creative dry spells, I do know that it is a problem for some. However, these creative blocks are temporary. And there are ways to find inspiration again. Even if your muse has been in hiding for awhile.

Here are some of things to try when you get stuck for ideas:

• Go for a walk. Fresh air and a change of environment can be very inspiring. Look carefully at the stuff that surrounds you. Does that sky look like a lovely teardrop blend to you?
• Limit your choices. Sometimes there are just too many ideas and you may not know where to start. Try restricting yourself to only one polymer clay palette of 4 colors… and see what you can make with those.
• Try a different technique. Maybe you've made too many round beads and your brain just can't handle the boredom. So it quit for a bit. If you always do mokume gane, try your hand at caning. If sculpting beads is your thing, try painting some instead. You can always go back to your favorite techniques again later on. But trying something new may give your old stuff new life.
• Change the music you're listening to. If you always listen to classical, try listening to rock. If you are always listening to something low key and relaxing, something high energy could be the thing you need. Music is a great stimulus and a change of pace could spark some new energy into your work.
• Introduce a new material to your work. The other day I decided to try my hand at combining some scrapbook embellishments I had won from a Tim Holtz contest, with some of my polymer clay techniques. Well it wasn't long before I ended up creating a pretty cool number jewelry necklace, that I would not have come up with otherwise.

Where do you turn to when you feel stuck creatively? Do you read books… go online… go outside… listen to music? What seems to work for you?