{"id":6779,"date":"2009-11-17T03:28:55","date_gmt":"2009-11-17T11:28:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/?p=6779"},"modified":"2014-08-10T12:56:04","modified_gmt":"2014-08-10T19:56:04","slug":"8-stages-of-creativity-for-polymer-clay-artists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/8-stages-of-creativity-for-polymer-clay-artists\/6779\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Stages of Creativity for Polymer Artists – Can you Relate?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Polymer“I have been working with polymer clay for 15 years and am still as addicted as I was the first time I laid eyes on it.”
\n~Sam-M<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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The other day I was talking with my 13 year old daughter Willow, about a project I was working on. She is a very creative person herself, and I asked if she thought my project was good enough. She said, “Why do you always ask me that. You know it’s great!”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Realizing that I do always do that, I asked her if she ever felt that way about her projects. And she said… “Yes, but I am a perfectionist Mom, so I have to feel that way.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

This made me a little sad and got me to thinking about how both of us (and my mom did this too)<\/em>, go through a series of stages in our creative processes. No matter the project we are working on, we pretty much go about it the same way.<\/span><\/p>\n

I thought I would share these stages today, to see if anyone else can relate to this creative way of thinking. Or… if it is just a weird way the women in our family handle our artistic endeavors.<\/span><\/p>\n

8 Stages of Creativity:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1. Inspiration: <\/strong><\/span>You see something inspiring, could be piece of jewelry, a sunset, a tutorial and your mind starts racing with the possibilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. <\/strong><\/strong><\/span>Desire: <\/strong><\/span>You absolutely must get what you need to make whatever it is that you are driven to make. You drive everyone nuts around you until you get that tool, supply, book, whatever it is you need (lust after) to make your idea come to life.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. <\/strong><\/strong><\/span>Fear: <\/strong><\/span>Once you get everything together, you sit and stare at it for awhile, afraid to get started and to mess up your supplies. Hopefully the next stage is so strong that this stage doesn’t stop you in your tracks.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Passion: <\/strong><\/span>There is an overpowering drive and passion to make your idea come together. You tear open that package of clay or tools and feverishly get to work. Sometimes forgetting to eat or sleep, because the project consumes you.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Endurance: <\/strong><\/span>This is the stage where you realize it’s a lot of work. This is the sanding stage when you’re making polymer clay beads, or the detail work on the painting. The stage where the weak minded set it aside for another day. But you must soldier through this stage or you will never get to the great feelings in the final stages.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Insecurity: <\/strong><\/span>This stage is a bad one. I work very hard not to experience this stage very often but still seem to visit it from time to time. This is where you doubt your abilities. Where you see all your little mistakes and think deep inside that everyone will see them too. This is where some people hide their things away. Put them in the back of the closet so that no one else can see them. The stupid thing about this stage is that it really does not serve you. It harms you more than it protects you. You must not let this stage stop you. If you must, set whatever you made aside for a day or so, and them come back to it with fresh non-critical eyes, so you can move on to the next stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

7: Pride: <\/strong><\/span>This is the most important stage. The whole reason you made the thing in the first place. That feeling you get when you come back and look at what you made and love it. Just like a kid does when they’ve done a nice drawing. You see, kids skip stages 3 and 6 all together, (until they get older) and are much happier for it. This is the stage where you show everyone what you’ve made. You give it as a gift, wear it when you go out or display it proudly in your home. Post it at your Etsy store. This is the stage you need to get to as quickly as possible if you are going to continue to be creative.<\/span><\/p>\n

8: Addiction: <\/strong><\/span>This is the good kind of addiction. The kind that keeps you fired up. Makes you feel alive. Makes you want to create and create and create. This is the stage that I am at. This is where my daughter is at and where many of you are at.<\/span><\/p>\n

I have been working with polymer clay for about 15 years now and am still as addicted as I was the first time I laid eyes on it. I have tried so many techniques over the years. Your videos and tips are an inspiration to all. I check your blog daily for the latest tip, pearl of wisdom. I have sold many pieces of work lately to friends and coworkers and seem to have hit on a great design. <\/span>~Sam-M<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Celebrate your strength and your passion. For your ability to get past the negative stages in your creativity. For you to continue to grow and learn and create until your dying days. That’s what it’s all about my friends!<\/span><\/p>\n

If you liked this article, you may also enjoy reading:<\/em><\/strong>
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