Inspiring Creativity: 9 tips to be more creative
Posted by Amy on Friday April 17, 2009
As promised, I’m having a recap of what I talked about on Etsy’s Virtual Labs. The topic at hand was Inspiring Creativity, and so I’ll break it down to more manageable chunks about how to be more creative — remember all these ideas aren’t new at all, but these are the ones that worked for me to get me into gear:
About fueling creativity:
- Creativity is fueled by experiences, sights, sounds and smells. Sitting still won’t bring new ideas in; experimenting and trying new things will jog your creativity.
- I maintain a certain pattern to the day, with my morning bath signalling me that I am starting my work with a fresh mind and spirit. After breakfast is when my day officially begins — I turn on the radio and look at my to-do list (see #3).
- I jot down notes every night before I go to bed about what I need to accomplish the next day. This way, I’m actively placing my worries onto paper so I can go to bed not fretting about what needs to be done.
- I have a box labeled for each different project I’m involved in. So I toss everything I have in one box, and I don’t worry about misplacing things or ideas. This one was inspired by The Creative Habit
- I also keep a different sketchbook for different topics and ideas. I have one for business, one for random sketches and another for my writing. And in these sketchbooks I sometimes allocate different sections so that my thoughts don’t get messed up too much (there isn’t a search function on them, like a computer does!)
- And I throw these sketchbooks all over the place, so when I have a thought I scribble it down quickly.
- I try and find the pattern between things, and connect the dots between random things just for fun when I’m stuck in a rut. Like when I see the color yellow around me, and then I start to focus on finding yellow things — stuff that I didn’t notice before will show themselves to me. I’m heightening my sense of awareness because I’m narrowing my focus to one thing.
- Doing things differently helps. I love calligraphy, but sometimes I seem to be stuck in a rut — it seems that I could only write in a certain way! So I stop, and see what others are doing, and try to analyze what I could do differently. A little more pressure on the downward stroke? Or how about adding more flourishes to that letter? It took me about a week of constant practice to free up my hand. If you’re stumped for ideas, have a look at Keri Smith’s 100 ideas to get you started.
- Practice, practice, practice. Creativity is like a muscle that you need to flex regularly. I dread staring onto a blank piece of paper, but everything begins with that first stroke. I’m a perfectionist, so I train myself to not use erasers at all when I’m drawing. And if I do make mistakes, I start on a new piece of paper — that way I let new ideas in and not just dwell on what I previously did.
Here are some books in my collection that I pick up whenever I need a boost:
- The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp : I love this book. Twyla is a dancer and choreographer, but a lot of the things she has to say cuts across all disciplines.
- How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum by Keri Smith : Keri reminds everyone to put on their explorer goggles and look at the world with new eyes — I did a review of her book here.
- Living Out Loud by Keri Smith : Although the book is a little girlish for guys, I love the article she wrote about how to find what you love to do
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho : This is an amazing book that I pick up and read again and again. The message is simple — you won’t find what you’re looking for until you follow through on your dreams.
- How to be an Illustrator by Darrel Rees and Nicholas Blechman : I like how they talk to illustrators and get their feedback on running a creative business.
- Lines & Shapes by Lena and Mav : Amazing artists and beautiful, beautiful pictures. I have volume no. 5 and I treasure it.
- The first issue of the Good to Know project : I like keeping a copy on my bookshelf so I can read up on what my friends have to say about being creatively stuck.
Stay tuned for the second part which I’ll be posting tomorrow It’s ready! Click here to read the second installment of my recap about competition and copycats!
——————
p/s: Talking and reading all your thoughtful messages during the Virtual Labs session (especially the whispers that some of you passed on) made me feel so much better! But I do have to say that reading the chats while having to focus on talking was a little hard, mainly because I wanted so badly to talk back to each and every one! :)
Comments
#2 :: rachel
Apr 17, 02:05 PMthanks friend you rock!
i loved being in your Etsy Virtual lab. it was nice to meet you. your awesome and your advice is wonderful. this recap is even awesomer because i get distracted easily. but i would love to learn. i am new to having an etsy shop and this really helps. ♥
#3 :: The Storialist
Apr 17, 02:09 PMI absolutely love these suggestions. Number 7 of the first list is my favorite! Focus is so necessary when working on projects everyday. And the great thing about art is that you will notice different things than everyone else…you’ll notice yellow, while I’ll notice circles…or even if we both noticed yellow, or responses would be so different.
Thanks for this!
#6 :: Jacqueline
Apr 17, 09:32 PMOh Amy thank you soo much for the recap! #4 and #7 are my favorites! I really appreciates this! Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!
#8 :: Stricksogge
Apr 18, 04:32 AMHey, I’m Sandra form Germany. I am always looking for “creativity tips”. Not these “How to”-Guides, but these one who manage to inspire you so that you get very own and new ideas. But you can hardly find something like this in German(y). But now, after I read all books of Keri Smith, I found your blog and I’m so happy about that. It’s just my taste of tips^^
#9 :: Gumball Grenade
Apr 18, 10:04 AMI’m so glad that you posted a recap! Sad that I was unable to attend. You’ve definitely added to my “need to read” list. Thank you Amy!
#14 :: Kristen Andrews
May 8, 05:06 PMgreat tips! I have many sketch books and they really are handy, one in my purse, one on the night stand and several on the dining room table!
#20 :: Lynda Hatches
May 9, 11:10 PMI wrote a blog on this about one month ago myself. I was stuck in a just staring sitting organizing re-organizing state. Finally my inside said…There is just to much inside. It wasn’t that I couldn’t think of something to make it was what do I make first?. So I got my big graph paper pad out with pencil in hand and got it all on paper. It worked great, This post is right on..TY
#24 :: C.S
May 12, 09:34 AMCreativity is a fickle creature and need careful nurturing. Sometimes it’s hard to get inspired. I’m stuck currently at a laborious project and want to do something else but can’t because it won’t get finished other wise.I find useful tidying and rearranging the work area, stucking pictures on the wall can help to me and it works. A little bit of cleaning can work wonders.
#25 :: claudine hellmuth
Jul 17, 02:22 PMgreat tips and ideas! I would also add
Bird by Bird written by Anne Lamott to your list of books! it’s for writers but her concepts apply to all artists. one of my favs!
#28 :: Jenny Hoople
Oct 23, 01:55 PMThanks for the great article and resources list! (I work at a library and 3 of them are here, so I can have instant gratification, too!!)
#30 :: Chris Willis
Feb 3, 08:01 AMHi Amy and thank you for this advice. I have only just opened my Etsy Shop (from where I’ve linked to your blog) and need all the help I can get. You have encouraged me to look outside the box I’ve put myself into and your words have lifted my head :-) I’ve been stuck for way too long, so thanks a heap.
#31 :: Mr. herretøj
Feb 19, 03:53 PMVery good inspiration you come with here, thanks allot. Creativity is like a muscle – you have to use it :-)
#33 :: k04 Turbo
Feb 2, 02:23 PMThough my writing had been published in newspapers and magazines since I was 16 years old, The Perfect Pantry was the first place I published something with the promise of immediate feedback. I waited for what seemed like an eternity (actually two weeks – my first eight posts), and at last someone I didn’t know left a comment. I remember exactly how I felt.
#35 :: iphone 4 case
Mar 24, 11:28 AMAlthough very tired. But still feel your blog is very good. Have to share with friends.
#39 :: wordpress themes premium
May 24, 02:17 AMI waited for what seemed like an eternity (actually two weeks – my first eight posts), and at last someone I didn’t know left a comment. I remember exactly how I felt.
#43 :: Mickey Mantle Jersey
Jul 19, 03:52 PMI really like this website , and hope you will write more ,thanks a lot for your information.
#44 :: Flytouch 3
Aug 10, 12:35 PMIch denke, Flytouch 3 ist ein sehr gutes Produkt, ich weiß nicht, wie es sich anfühlt? Um Empfehlung empfehlen.
#45 :: Velvet Remi
Aug 11, 04:30 PMthese things will be difficult at start but if practiced properly these things will bring great results.
#46 :: nike air max traienrs
Sep 1, 01:36 PMExcellent performance guarantee the safety of the movement.
#48 :: UGG Ashur Boot Sale
Oct 31, 11:46 AMcomprehensive <a href=“http://www.botteshugg.com/”><strong>Uggs Soldes</strong></a> guide of new styles that will
#49 :: Ugg Boots For Cheap
Oct 31, 12:19 PMfashion-related rule. Ugg boots are available in many different colors and
#50 :: Nike Air Jordan Retro Shoes
Nov 2, 12:29 PMboots are updated <a href=“http://www.sneakerscrazy.com/asics-shoes-c-481.html”><strong>Asics Sports Shoes</strong></a> with a wooden UGG logo button and elastic band closure and as <a href=“http://www.sneakerscrazy.com/nike-air-jordan-c-45.html”><strong>Nike Air Jordan Retro Shoes</strong></a> with all boots in our Classic collection,
#51 :: Sheedia @ InspirU CooCoo
Nov 8, 01:58 AMYou got some really great pointers. If you really pay attention to it, we get creative ideas all the time. It is just a matter of focussing on it and trying not to forget it.
#1 :: Lucie
Apr 17, 02:04 PMSooo helpful! I couldn’t make the Etsy webcast so I really appreciate this post.