Ever been in that dull, creatively stuck place where you just lack motivation? No fun!
Today, we're sharing a few quick exercises that can easily fit into your existing routine to inspire you and get your creative ideas flowing in no time!
We can find inspiration in creative projects that other people have done (hello Pinterest) or in a shop full of materials (I see you Hobbycraft!) but it can be richer to start with inspiration in the world around you, then decide how to bring it into a creative or craft project.
This is a great way to expand your creative skills. Let’s show you how!
Set a Mini Project
Our inner 7 year old looks at a blank piece of paper and asks ‘What should I draw?’. If anything, we get worse as we get older! Our inner critic strengthens her voice and we can lock up creatively.
The quickest way to cut through that is to give yourself something very specific to do, like a mini project.
For example, have a look for your favourite colour or interesting patterns on your way to work and capture pictures of what you see on your phone. Then use a free app like PhotoGrid to make your pictures into a grid - fun to share as it is, or use to develop into other projects.
Capture Your Inspiration
Start to train your eye and brain to look for inspiration around you, and you’ll see it all the time.
The best way to hone that skill is to capture and develop your ideas. Camera phones & inspiration grids are great for this, as is carrying a little notebook around with you.
See what you can see and capture in just one week; colours, patterns, shapes and ideas; get them all down to give you a collection of inspiration.
Brainstorm & Refine
At the end of the week, look through what you’ve collected and let your imagination play.
- What colours leap out at you? Were there any unusual mixes of colour that you were drawn to?
- Did you spot any shapes or patterns you’d like to explore on paper, or fabric, or with found materials or clay?
- Did you make any notes that can’t wait to explore or develop?
Let all your thoughts swirl together and decide what you’d like to experiment with first. Part of the fun of creativity is to not edit yourself, to expand ideas out, then pick the ones you like the most and refine them.
You might be ready to leap into a project or want to test different ideas. Either way, see where your source material takes you!
You might be surprised at how inspiring the world around you suddenly becomes! It’s so easy for us to miss the creative inspiration on our doorstep.
