I was thinking about this the other day as I carefully swept the small wire ends I had accumulated into a little plastic baggie. I had no idea why I was saving them. Maybe because I know to the inch how much I had paid for that wire so every inch had value. A few weeks later, I had an idea and I started winding the ends of the short wires into spirals that I could use in my jewelry making. Some are long enough for a couple of beads and other will only be a spiral with a loop to attach it to ---something. I haven't gotten that far yet.
I know many folks like that, they save the cut off ends of boards because sometimes a 2x3x1 inch board is just what they need. No plan, but keep the materials close at hand.
Fabric scraps are another fine example. I know that the 4x6 inch scrap of bright green in a slightly irregular shape will be just what I or someone else might be looking for in a quilt square or two. Odd bits of string or yarn, old panty hose, that moth eaten wool sweater can all become starting points for the next project or the solution to some pesky problem.
My Husband calls it raw material. Pieces of wood, metal, fabric, paper, paint, all have potential to become more than the left overs from some bigger project. Of course it also takes the creativity of an open mind to see their potential and it takes the skills and tools to make that vision a reality. Sometimes it starts with the plans and fits the bits into it and other times it starts with the bits and becomes a plan.
But do to a change in space I have to let go of many of these bit and pieces. I have given away bags and bags of scrap fabric and many bits of wood that are just too small have gone into the trash can. (I am gonna hang onto the wire though, as I can see a plan coming together)
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