It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that zing.

     An artist friend told me the other day that he has been surprised by the effort it takes to display his art. The time to mat and frame all his original work takes almost as much time as creating it. And as I take that in I realize that there is value in packaging as well as marketing. Because without an effective package or marketing scheme your chances of selling go way down. 
     So to that end I have been focusing on the packaging of my painted skulls. I am creating some nice, but low cost wood stands for them that make them stand out as works of art rather than just that cool thing that sits on a shelf getting dusty.
     This process is taking much longer than expect however as I have to dig my tools out of storage, buy the materials needed, wait for warm weather so I can do glue ups in my unheated work space and just generally find an hour or two where I can focus on this. It is the drudgery that we all detest, but I have hopes that it will help the sales.
And considering that buying a similar display would cost $35 when I can make it for $5 I can put in the effort.

stimulating creativity

There are several cooking shows that demonstrate a method of stimulating creativity.
For example there is one where contestants are given an odd selection of ingredients and must use all of them in creating a dish.

As I put together baskets for the school silent auction I am reminded of this. taking odd bits and pieces and turn them into some kind of cohesive themed package that will persuade people to spend money and even compete for the privilege of doing so.
So
A hand made pillow in shades of blue, green, purples
a colorful basket in purple and yellows
an empty grape vine wreath
will become a house warming home decor package. I sure hope folks like this color scheme.

Fostering creativity in others

How to foster creativity in others:

As our school district faces huge budget cuts, classes in art and music are being sacrificed. In some ways I think these kinds of classes teach you to reach beyond the scope of the teaching far more than any other classes.
 They help you understand the tools of creativity:  pastels, the nomenclature of music, wood carving, how to play instruments, use a potter's wheel, rhythm, the emotional connections to both sound and colors... These are all tools like protractors and dictionaries are tools for math and English. But they are not valued at the same level. There are no standardized tests for art of music.
So as these kinds of cuts go forward it is more critical that our art community step forward to help fill these gaps.
 Offering classes and exhibitions and concerts and even setting up an easel or opening a guitar case in a place where you will be seen and heard can foster creativity in others. But to do these things take some bravery and willingness to share at a different level than when we join and orchestra or have pieces in a gallery.
Take part in street fairs and weekend markets and let people not only see your work, but interact with you. Be positive and encouraging to others. Think of them as part of the family and not as competitors. Soon you will be the person others look to for guidance and advice and you can help others find the creative voice they will no longer be able to find in their schools.

Day three sort of

Life has a way of getting in the way of a clear plan.
 Yep I went the thrid day and picked up a bit more material in some added colors. I put these in the bag with others to be washed and salvaged and used for the next big project. And then...
My life got a little hectic and other things took priority. 
I have to let that little project sit neglected for awhile and trust that one day when the mood and desire strike me it will be waiting. But I am ephemeral like that. I drift in and out of my passions and plans. 
I have been busy with a couple of small wall quilts that will be donated to a bazaar at the school where I work. 
And then...
 I decided to marble some clay pots to turn into herb planters for the bazaar. I started with 6 figuring it was a sample to see if I like the technique. I did. The next day I did 24 more. Surely this would be enough. Nope. Bought another 20 pots and then in a fit of lunacy and because hey there was still a coupon I bought the last 5 pots they had in the store. Plus one more larger pot to give as a gift. 
So I got those painted and the original 30 now have basil seedlings growing in them. I still have to seal the 26 pots and plant them out all before the bazaar at the end of the week.
Then perhaps this latest fit of creativity will pass and I can drift on to my next big thing. I did just get a few boxes of elk skulls...

DAY 2

Three days at the recycle pad
Almost everything I found today is either blue, white, or blue and white. Mostly dress shirts. I found one child's blouse in autumn colors and Some flannel burp clothes that are rather well worn but might work well as the batting for a few small quilts that will come out of this project. I did find a knit shirt with some beads that I will salvage to embellish at least one quilt.

I do hope the next and last day I go to the recycle pad for this project brings me different colors to work with.

three days at the recycle pad

If you have not heard about our wonderous recycle pads here in Fairbanks do a google search or I am sure they are mentioned in our local paper somewhere. The Daily News Miner.

 I have really been enjoying my opportunity for some peaceful quiet sewing time. I have been making some wall hanging quilts and I have inspired myself.

When people ask where I get my fabrics, my typical answer is that I salvage what I can collect or occasionally someone’s scrap stash finds its way into my world. Both sources have the recycle pad as the vector.

 So  after several years of sharing my goodies with others I have decided to challenge myself to one or more pieces made purely from the scraps and salvaged clothing I find on my local recycle pad in the course of 3 days. The batting could be a bigger challenge unless I find some felt or such.

 Day 1 collected so far:

Note this was done latish at night with poor lighting and I have not yet looked over my spoils closely.

 1 pair of small scrub pants with a bright green Dr. Suess green eggs and ham theme

1 pale blue button down oxford type shirt

1 med. Dk. Blue Chambre shirt

1 blueish bed sheet with blue circles as the pattern.

Once I have washed these and ascertained their real colors and condition I will figure out how usable they are.

I am looking forward to seeing what I find next.

Sustaining Creativity

When I look at other works of art or intricate crafts done by others I often find myself more in awe of the time involved rather than the skill.  The ability to sustain my interest or drive to complete a project sometimes escapes me.
I am also learning that different types of projects take different methods to get myself to sustain my energy and interest.

For example fiber art and quilting I need people.  I need the energy of other people, the vibrancy of their input/feedback as well as the inspiration of their own efforts keeps me focused on my end result.
Beading and wire wrapping are meditative to me.  I can work on them as completely unrelated noise and activities take place in the background. Both are easy to put down and pick up without missing a beat.
Writing and painting though I do better in solitude. I tend to follow a winding path with these and I have no clear picture of the end product and so I let myself wander and experiment and paint over or erase as I look at the results and search for the level of satisfaction I want. A fly on the wall might hear me talking to myself or the skull in front of me.

With some forms of creativity I need a road map to know when it is complete and with other the project leads me and I cannot always guess what the outcome will be.
I find that it is easier to sustain a long-term creative effort if it is a project that leads me. There is excitement and surprise.
But a well mapped project needs to be quick or I will get bored and give it up before my objective is reached.
For other people I know it is opposite. The unknown uncharted end has to come quick or fear of the possible outcome will keep the unfinished project in a drawer. And it is the well charted design the may take long hours of carful stitching they prefer.
My mother and I worked well together this way. I loved designing cross stitch pieces and latch hook patterns. I could even sustain through the painstaking process of creating the color chart for my mother to follow, but then the actual repetitiousness of making the rug or the pillow front bored me and I was ready to move on long before it was done.