Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Side-tracked by knitting

As usual--my "startitis" took over and I have the August bead journal page started---then I started a couple of knitting projects, sewed some bags (BYOB=bring your own bag---to the grocery store), and the beadwork languishes. I always have several projects going--but for some reason I am having a hard time getting back into the beading--any suggestions? I even was feeling a tad guilty--so haven't been reading this blog much ;-) but really do look everyday at the beading all layed out in a convenient spot in my studio--then pick up the sock I'm knitting--oh dear! If you are interested, you may check out my blog to see all the other things I have been doing--instead of beading ;-) here.

10 comments:

Jacqui said...

why not add beading to your knitting or patchwork pieces?

coral-seas said...

If the knitting is calling you just now, then knit. When the beads want your attention again they will shout loudly, then you will have to bead. Who are we to resist.

CA

Seduced by beads... said...

I have just come back from your blog - what a visual feast! Your needle lace sampler is really interesting. Needle lace would combine beautifully with beading.
Dorris

Quilt Architect said...

I got this suggestion from SARK's Creative book (I don't have it in front of me and only remember that Creative is in the name.) Make Micro Movements. This might mean getting out your beading box and looking through it but not planning to bead. Then maybe the next day you get out your beading books and find something interesting in the book that grabs your attention. Or going to a bead shop. It might mean cleaning up your knitting so that you have room for your beading near your chair. For me it mean coming up with a theme and then picking out the colors of the beads. It may take several micro movements to get you hooked. Keep making the small steps every day...Ok if they are steps that take 5 minutes a day. Eventually they will capture more of your minutes.
Give your project air. Sometimes when we put something up or even if it is out but not organized we need to give the project air. This might mean "fluffing it up" but re-organizing it. Or it might mean just getting out the beads and seeing what you have.
Sometimes I have started something and I quit working on it. There is something about the project that has sapped all the energy away from me. I write down what is bothering me about this project...Another words complain. I don't like this color or the piece is too flat and there is not enough detentions. Or the color clashes. Sometimes I can't bear to rip something out that took so long to do. I have to let it incubate and then I become ready to rip it out and start over. I did this on the fish amulet that I made. I was trying to use too much of what I had and it wasn't turning out right. I had to let that sit for a couple of months and when I was ready to get back to it it was fun.
I think that if you are not excited about what you are doing for August page ...stop. Start Sept or October. Success breeds success.
I think I read somewhere that the goal was 12 pages for the year...not necessarily having to do one page religiously every month. Take all pressure off of yourself for perfection.
It could be that you have decided to make your pages too big. Decide if this is working for you or if your pages were smaller you would feel like they were not absorbing all the time you would rather be knitting....For instance you could decide to make your pages Magnet Size and post them on the refrigerator. You would still be feeling success but it wouldn't be a 6x6 page.

We should have a place on this blog where we just write down things like this for when we need inspiration.

abeadlady said...

I so agree with what Sacredartist said. I have just done that very thing. I had lost the urge to finish my Sept. page, so I have started October's. I think I just needed a break from the fringing. I don't like it much at the best of times, but it is the only thing that I can use in that particular spot. I will go back a finish it later, but for right now Oct. is much more fun.
Arline

KV said...

It's like that wonderful quote "so many books, so little time" . . . so many wonderful things to do creatively with our hands, so little time . . .

When you are ready, those beads will be calling your name very loudly!


Kathy V in NM

Aurora said...

hey! thanks everyone for your comments--very helpful--and yes, I know sooner or later the beads will call to me...I am just so close to finishing 2 pairs of knit socks..so after that...

Padparadscha said...

I saw a comic drawing once, it was a monk painting a manuscript and he was turning towards another monk and saying "Deadline ?! Nobody told me about a f... deadline !"

Maybe you don't like obligations ?

By the way, your work is truly gorgeous !

Robin said...

Like Dorris, I really enjoyed the visual stimulation of your site and hope you'll stay with the BJP. Sacredartist has some great suggestions! Quite a few BJPers have skipped or not finished one month's piece and gone on to what really calls them... I believe a time will come when they will return to the unfinished pieces. Blessings! Robin A.

Timaree said...

Sacred Artist, your words are so good. A good inspiration or pick-me-up for all of us. Thankyou. And we wouldn't have gotten those words if Aurora hadn't questioned her lack of beadfever!