Creativity?

Question

I took a beading class a little while ago, and I made a few cute bracelets and necklaces. Recently, though, I don't have any good ideas.

I want to start by making things I see online and in magazines, but my husband says this is just copying and not a good way of sparking my creative side.

What do you think?

Not planning on selling anything...just for me and gifts for people

Answer 1

Hiya, I think everyone here has a very good and valid point. It's ok to look and get ideas but as long as the piece isn't copied outright, you'll find it ok. I personally think it's ok to mimic a piece if it's your very first or almost your first. I think this gives you confidence in your abilities and lets you get to grips on how things work out. Always play around with the beads you have and get a bead board if you don't already have one, I find these great to lay out beads (sometimes randomly-see how they fall) and see what patterns form. Once you've got past this stage then try the same piece but with different beads and colours. Once you get here, you should have the confidence to make a piece that is your very own design and your creativity should have wandered off the copying path. As I said this is purely my own thinking and people may not agree but as long as it is for your own personal use and not for resale then it's fine.
Hope this helps. x

Answer 2

Creativity tends to come and go in waves. The best way to keep it flowing is to feed it. Look at those ideas in the magazine, and make a few of them - copying things often helps to spark our own ideas in the process - you'll be in the middle of making a project from a magazine and get a great idea.
Actually DOING something is much more helpful in stoking your creative fire than just looking - so, play with your beads, without being concerned about coming up with a finished product, copy some ideas from magazines [but DO NOT sell them - that is infringing on the copyright of the designer], and this will get your creative fires going again.

Answer 3

I learned to make handcrafted jewelry last year. When my husband taught me, i was not interested cos i thought i was not creative and art was the last thing in my list of passionate things.

He bought all types of jewelry magazines. I took an interest and started looking at the various jewelries and went online to look at others works. Then i tried making them. It has been nearly 2 yrs now and I make my own one of a kind pieces. I got very encouraging and positive feedback fr my customers.

I hv never copied any design but i hv looked for ideas of beautiful jewelries of other designers. I always enjoy creating my own designs. When i started making a new piece, i had no idea how it wld turn out. It all depended on my inspiration and creativity. So far i hv made abt 500 pieces and not two pieces were of the same design.

Your husband is right. Get ideas fr the internet and magazines and come up with yr own creations.

Have fun.

Answer 4

You might want to read some of the comments about creativity (and sometimes lack of it!) from polymer clayers at my site... the ideas and experiences there would apply to any craft though, and in fact any part of life:

http://glassattic.com/polymer/creativity,inspir,art.htm
(... click on CREATIVITY & INSPIRATION...)

Actually, "creativity" is different for different people, but everyone can be creative.

Copying can be one good way of just familiarizing the brain with the basic techniques and possibilities so it can then take off in other directions (the "old masters" of painting always copied first... it was the way things were done).

Some people have ideas of their own from the get-go, and some need to get "marinated" first... each way has its advantages and disadvantages (and is often a genetic predisposition), so don't let anyone else tell you there's only "one truth" about being creative even if that's what they believe is true or has been true for them and their friends, etc.

HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 5

I don't see anything wrong with admiring other peoples items,and using that as a place to form your own ideas. Sometimes by seeing what others are doing,you will get an idea of how you would make it different or better or more your style. As long as you are not copying them down to each little bead,I think it's fine.

Answer 6

You could subscribe to one of the many beading magazines.

There is Beadwork, or BeadStyle among others. They have lots of ideas and instructions for the latest styles and intricate beading techniques. You could even join your local freecycle group and send out a message asking for back issues of beading magazines.

Answer 7

creativity is not something that we all have. you can go to craft shows or look online or in idea books, you don't have to copy it from any of those ideas but it will help you get moving with some new an fresh ideas. i do a lot of scrapbooking and often times we look at an idea book and use their idea but in a smiler but different way. that's why they make books like that. try new color ideas together, or shapes or sizes.

Answer 8

Try using strings for something different. You can make a Killing selling a couple hundred frienship bracelets. It sounds like a lot, but they're pretty easy to make.

Answer 9

I think it's fine if you copy the things in the magazines but you should add your own flare to it. Then it's an okay thing to do.

Answer 10

Its the season for craft sales. Go to a few & get some other ideas that may inspire you.