Saturday, July 21, 2007

Blocked

I've hit an absolute wall on bead embroidery, so I'm keeping the hands flexible and the mind interested by making a bunch of bottlecap pincushions.
I'm wondering what some of the rest of you do when you hit a wall in your work and every time you check for your muse, you find she's moved and left no forwarding address?
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15 comments:

Robin said...

1) I quit trying to make it perfect. 2) I think to myself, "If I were going to put something on here, what might it be?" My hands answer the question seemingly with a will of their own by picking up some bead or other thing, which I then sew on my piece. 3)I try to let go of figuring it out and getting it right... just do it is my motto.

I think these "tricks" work, even if you are making a planned piece. And, if you are just beginning a piece, all the better... let precious, honest, intuitive Little BeadBab pick out some stuff and get to work!

This is all for you, so put the critic in a compartment and lock the door for a while ;>) Robin

July 21, 2007 at 2:14 PM
Brenda said...

I have a large collection of books on all sorts of craft/art subjects. When I feel a little lost I pour over those books. The creativity that I see makes me feel creative. If you don't have books a trip to your favorite art institute would be a good substitute.

July 21, 2007 at 3:37 PM
M.J. Mullins said...

I'm like brenda - I turn to my collection of art books and just drift through them. If that doesn't work, I visit the magazine shop up the street and plow through everything, and I mean EVERYTHING that deals with design - from digital to French interiors. Something trips my trigger - a color combination or a shape or just a feeling. Next thing I know I've recharged my batteries and I'm off and running.

July 21, 2007 at 4:38 PM
vivage said...

Some times I do anything but try to think of what do do with a piece. I read a book, I sit outside and listen to the birds, I journal my thoughts of everyday stuff...sooner or later something kicks in and I am off and running again.

Other times I start something that doesn't have a goal - and all of a sudden there it is again.

Either way I stop knocking (or is it banging my head) and all of a sudden the door opens - no more resistance!

July 21, 2007 at 5:06 PM
Nancy K. said...

I read, I leave it for awhile and sleep on it (I do lot's of good thinking then or dreaming as the case may be) I knit. I read the blog and check everyone's pictures, or check my favorite bead sites and/or check my bead, knitting, etc. books. I get lot's of inspiration that way. But I am with Robin, I try to put the critic away and figure what ever I end up with is right. And the beads always talk to me, even if is to say leave me be for awhile.

July 21, 2007 at 8:18 PM
KV said...

It's just like getting "writer's block" -- one simply has to step away from the work for a while and do something else. Ideas and inspiration will come when you least expect it. I find that browsing through my art books and magazines, sorting through my fabrics, fibers, and beads will sometime trigger that "why didn't I think of this before" . . .

I, too, knit or crochet or do something else while the muse is off paying attention to someone else.

Kathy V in NM

July 21, 2007 at 11:19 PM
Robin said...

Good ideas, everyone!!! Some new ones for me ~ like stepping away. Guess I was afraid if I did something elso for a while that I'd never get back to beading. Thanks!

Robin A.

July 22, 2007 at 9:25 AM
Robin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
July 22, 2007 at 9:27 AM
Robin said...

Oh yes, I forgot to mention, Kathy W has some great ideas for getting unstuck, choosing materials, and getting started on her BJP Blog.

Robin A.

July 22, 2007 at 9:30 AM
beadbabe49 said...

thanks for all the great comments! I'm finding that making the small pincushions is indeed regenerating my enthusiasm for doing my beading! As I play with different color combinations of felt, I find I'm also thinking of beads that will go with it...but I'm not pushing it...just taking it slowly.

July 22, 2007 at 9:45 AM
Angela said...

Although I seldom get blocked occasionally pieces pieces will get to a point that I need to step back from them for a bit to rest and separate from them. Your muse will need recharging and there are lots of great ideas here for that.

I do a lot of the things above and depending on my mood they all work. Just a little time away from your piece will give you fresh eyes and a new perspective.

I have found that when my husband is home that I go to him when I am having trouble with where to go with a piece or that one little thing that is bothering me. Since he isn't knee deep in the piece he has the fresh eyes and new perspective that I need. Luckily he has a good eye and great taste (he picked me didn't he?) and has definately saved me a lot of time on some pieces.

Don't push yourself, lock up that nasty critic and it will come to you. Good Luck - Angie

July 22, 2007 at 10:03 AM
Anonymous said...

I usually have several projects going at one time, so I just work on something else for a while and let my 'back brain' think over whatever problem with the former piece is troubling me. :)

Linda

July 22, 2007 at 4:18 PM
Trilly said...

I also find stepping away is important, if for no other purpose than to relieve the pressure I am putting on myself. I also like to take it to my dreams. I set an intention just before I fall asleep to see where my piece wants to head and what it is trying to tell me, and I keep thinking about that until I fall asleep. This always either helps me to dream of what I am working on or has a time delay where something will pop into my head the very next day. That is what happened this month.

I too also bounce things off my boyfriend. He is a fused glass artist and very good with colors and form and when I am truly stuck I try a couple different layouts and ask for his first reaction. He never says too much, but often just says I like one particular bead, or idea and that sparks another thought or idea in me.

The one thing I do not do is look at others art or work at times when I am blocked, because I have a bad habit of comparing my work at a time when I am frustrated and stuck. Rather I look to nature and try to go within with meditation and sometimes just simple breathing.

July 23, 2007 at 5:27 AM
Lois2037 said...

I use all the above techniques, with varied success. Sometimes, doing something totally NON-creative is just the thing. There are times when my house fairly sparkles, and that's when I've got so totally stuck that nothing else works, so I get in a little housework. That almost always works to get me going again!

July 23, 2007 at 8:12 AM
Artifax said...

Lots of good techinques! I also think stepping away for a while is a good idea. Far enough away that you aren't thinking of it any more and can return later to your work with fresh energy and insight. If you can involve yourself fully in some other activity for a while it can be the break you need.

July 24, 2007 at 2:19 PM

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