I have been absent from blog land for some time now and feel I owe you my kind and faithful readers an explanation. For the last while I have felt stuck, not know where I was going, where I wanted to go or how I was going to get there. I was making housework and chores my priority and then saying I didn't have time to create, but really I was avoiding it! I didn't know where to start, and had become so removed from the play and pleasure in making for those reasons and focusing totally on a need to make things to sell. I think my birthday had a lot to do with it too, reaching a kind of milestone and thinking what have I really achieved so far?
I got 2 new moleskin journals from my bo and they have been sitting untouched because I just didn't know where to start. So I decided to take a step back and start at the beginning, reaserch. I spent days looking through books, magazines, blogs, flickr and websites for inspiration and started a few folders on my computer of stuff that gets me excited. And this time I decided to print some of them off and have them at my desk. I stumbled upon so many talented people/ artists but one of the real motivators for me has been keri smith. She is an author, illustartor and gurilla artists amongst other things. I have found so many things on her site which are so right for me just now, two of them being "100 ideas" and "10 ways to infuse your work with your personality". Both of these 2 things are what I have been seriously lacking in lately.
"Paper" my journalAnother artist I found on flickr is kirstin vinter, she has been blogging pages of her journal and it was so uplifting and inspiring to me to see someone working in a way that spoke to me.
"Dresses series" my journal
So here I am, I still don't know what direction I am going in or what I am going to make, but that is ok now and I am going to have some fun exploring what I love, and for the moment that is paper. I have been making jewellery and enjoy it, but it is not making my heart sing. So I have decided I am gong to have a shop shake up and move some of my jewellery on and clear it out ready for new creations when they arrive. I'll keep you posted on this, but in the mean time I just want to say thank you to you all for still stopping by although my post have been thin on the ground and for all your kind and supportive words. x
13 comments:
I read your blog and often think, "Boy are we ever living parallel lives!' I know you've read about my lack of motivation and direction, but what I haven't posted about, is how I've started doing a daily art card/journal. I just had to take the plunge and open my blank book and start. I like your dress pages; a very cute idea. I hope you get your mojo back!
How odd...I have felt somewhat out of my own loop, too.
perhaps it is the moon, or some other large force..
;)
Best to you.
Take care. Enjoy your journey.
Sylvia C.
I love the dresses and can completely see why they might make your heart sing. I bought some very similar from Habitat last year on notelets - they are gorgeous.
I think your jewellry is beautiful though...but I'm sure whichever direction that you go in you will create lovely things. x
Your "dresses" series is beautiful! Thanks for sharing your thoughts so honestly.. I think we all go through phases like this, and definitely understand that tension between creating for fun vs. making things to sell. I think that's something I'm still working through. Taking a step back and starting at the beginning sounds exciting, and I hope you have fun with it!
Hello! I just found your blog via Little Glowing Lights. My friends used to live in Paisley! I spent quite a bit of time there. Small world huh?!
I'm looking forward to seeing your new paper creations :)
I think we all go through this at some time. When the creative side seems too far removed from the business side. Sounds like you have definitely done the right thing though. Stepping back and just enjoying things for what they are. Have fun with the paper creations and I love the blog header!!
I think we all go through this at some time. When the creative side seems too far removed from the business side. Sounds like you have definitely done the right thing though. Stepping back and just enjoying things for what they are. Have fun with the paper creations and I love the blog header!!
Laura, your post is exactly what I've been feeling lately! Seriously! I have been inspired by Keri Smith ever since you sent me her links, and it's even influenced my post today! Here's to new beginnings! I love the new header of your blog too! Keep it up!
Hello there! How wonderful to see that's you've been creating things! This is wonderful: "So here I am, I still don't know what direction I am going in or what I am going to make, but that is ok now and I am going to have some fun exploring what I love, and for the moment that is paper." I've been fighting with these feelings myself over the past few months (as we all do, now and then) and I think you're right - we don't know what direction we are going in sometimes, but _that is ok_. It's all ok.
Also I have to say that my name isn't really "Kristin Vinter". My name is Kristin (to be pronounced like you'd say "Christine") but vinter is just the name of the domain I'm keeping my stuff on. I never thought it could be interpreted like that, it hasn't happened before, but it made me smile :)
I'm so excited to see what you come up with. You know, Julia Cameron talks about this periods of creative blocks as an indication that you are about to move to the next level in your art. I try to remind myself of that whenever I get stuck. She's usually right-I come out of them with some wonderful new ideas.
side to side
up down
or just around...
don't you frett,
don't you frown,
fun will lead you,
to your heart's sound...
;)
You should check out 'wreck this journal' I got it for a friend who finds it really hard to 'let go' with her creativity and it's been so much fun to see all the ideas in it (I think it's by Keri Smith actually).
Also don't forget to pop in to summer school to see what we're all up to- you've very welcome whenever you feel like it.
I hope you had a happy birthday! :)
Good luck with everything!!! We're glad you are back :)
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