{"id":5444,"date":"2009-09-06T03:24:25","date_gmt":"2009-09-06T10:24:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/?p=5444"},"modified":"2009-09-28T15:06:20","modified_gmt":"2009-09-28T22:06:20","slug":"creative-blocks-making-polymer-clay-beads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/creative-blocks-making-polymer-clay-beads\/5444\/","title":{"rendered":"Dealing with Creative Blocks when Making Polymer Clay Beads"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Whistler<\/p>\n

“I would love to be in your head, maybe I could sling out this creative block that just will not GO AWAY…” ~Lynn-W<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The question of how to overcome creativity challenges has come up recently in several threads here at the blog. You can read Lynn’s<\/span> quote above. And here’s another from Aims…<\/span><\/p>\n

I sit down and bingo – I haven’t got a clue of what I want to make. ~Aims<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

By the way, today’s photo is one of many shots from my recent getaway with the family<\/a> up to Whistler Mountain. It’s about 3 hours north from where we live, with miles and miles of nature trails winding through grassy meadows filled with beautiful alpine flowers. A perfect place to clear your mind and get those creative juices flowing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although creativity blocks are rarely an issue for me, I know this is a common problem for many beginners. One reason may be that you put too much pressure on yourself to create something wonderful, without giving yourself permission to make mistakes.<\/span><\/p>\n

You buy all the nice materials and don’t even open them, for fear that you’ll mess them all up. That fear then shuts the door to any artistic flow and you’re stopped in your tracks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometime ago, I wrote about ways to help with this dilemma. Here is the link: Tips for Polymer Clay Artists on Overcoming Creative Blocks<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the ideas in that article I just mentioned, sometimes just taking the time to sit down and play with your materials, with no expectation of making anything from them, will help get the creative juices flowing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take small balls of polymer clay in a couple of colors and play with them. Roll them, squash them, twist them together. Make a flower or a tube or a smiley face or coil and then smash it all up to start again. Try to roll it thin. Make a blend with it. Slice it in a million pieces.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can even add junk to it, sand, paint, thread, glitter, whatever. See what it will do. Doesn’t matter. No rules, no expectations. You’re a kid with a hunk of clay. It most probably will be the most freeing and mind opening thing you will do for your creativity!<\/span><\/p>\n

So next time you feel uninspired, sit down with a block of polymer clay and just play!<\/span><\/p>\n

I recently asked my Polymer Clay Friends on Twitter<\/a> what they do to deal with creativity challenges. This is what a few of them said:<\/span><\/p>\n

Teach someone else to play with clay. Showing how always gets my creative juices flowing. <\/span>@JennyArmitage<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Beating creative block: Browse through the amazing Etsy & ArtFire shops. It’s visual dessert, and switches on creativity. <\/span>@Beadspired<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I get out of a creative slump by reading other crafter’s blogs (not just polymer clay). Organizing my workspace helps too! <\/span>@kimisen<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I go to Bead & Button Magazine for inspiration. They usually show something that will inspire me. <\/span>@FoxieJewelry<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What do you do re-kindle your creativity and get inspired? Please leave your comments below.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cindy\"Polymer<\/p>\n

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