Enter our Asian Lantern Giveaway for a chance to win this collection of beads & embellishments from Bello Modo and Vintaj!!
To enter, leave a comment on this blog post telling us what sparks your creative process. What lights your lantern?!
Example: “When I’m in a slump it always helps me to page through the Vintaj Idea Gallery and these days Pinterest really gets me inspired! I love to see the different ideas designers can come up with the same piece!”
We’ll announce the winner on Friday, August 31! Once you’ve entered, check back to read what others do to get inspired!
I meditate and ask for insight and inspiration. Then, I look through my beads and other materials. I allow them to guide me into and through the process of creating a piece.
Whenever I need inspiration for anything I am making I turn to Vintaj!! I use so many of their embellishments and ideas! I love making jewelry for family and friends and always use Vintaj in my pieces, they are so versatile I can use my full creative potential when creating!!
I’m fairly new, so going for a long walk in the woods with one or two dogs, between nature and relaxing, my mind is cleared. Seeing what others create helps by going on line, your site is excellent and so is Pinterest and I’m on some beading sites on Facebook. But, most of all, I will sit at the end of the day and put it together in my head and then on paper to see what I want to try next. I have to open my eyes more to what is around me, my grand children actually gave me some very good ideas as they sat going through some of my new beads.
Many of these items are already on my “Pick these up soon” list. I love what Vintaj can do for a bead to be used as the center of attraction. A little patina on that disc will give it a shine to bring out the colors of the tiny beads that will look beautiful dangling off the chain on headpins made by Vinaj just for this purpose.
There are several things that sparks my creative process, but I think what works the best is looking at the Vintaj idea gallery. My second choice would be to look at beading magazines especially Bead Trends and Stringing. I also enjoy to look at the blog hops. It is so interesting to see what each artist will do with a random bunch of beads and findings that have been sent to them from another artist.
Like walking through a meadow of wildflowers, I’m inspired by the random display of components and beads on the table in my studio. Some of the things are leftovers from a previous project, and others are new purchases that I haven’t put away yet. I discover unexpected combinations of colors that I couldn’t possibly have planned – and they work beautifully together. I add a bit – intentionally this time – here and there and before you know it, a new design emerges.
What gets me going when I am in a slump is looking at wonderful idea books. A person can never have too many idea books!! I love to see how designers have used different Vintaj products in their projects. It always gets my mind and creative thoughts flowing again. Every time I look thru my books I see different things that spark ideas. An idea from this page and a little from that page and before I know it I am fast at work on a new creation!!
When I feel stuck it’s usually because I’ve gotten overwhelmed with too many partially completed projects that I’m undecided on. I find the best thing to get inspired and re-invigorated is to clear off all the mess and start fresh on something totally different. I have a notebook with sketches and pictures that I’ve pulled out from magazines, etc. and I will either flip through that, look at beading magazines (Stringing is a favorite), or bop around on the Vintaj Idea Gallery. So many times I will see something that I have in my stash (or something very similar) used in a totally different way and I will be off and running again!
Nature is my greatest inspiration. All kinds. Beaches, animals, plants, flowers…
I just look at a few pieces and create as I go. I’m not the best designer in the world, but I have fun and that’s the main thing, right?
The thing that really gets my creative juices flowing is just sorting through my collection of beach glass. That leads me to start pulling out components, gemstones, and beads and I’m on my way!
I am inspired by the Bead Soup Blogs. As a person who is new to making jewelry, it’s a visual overload to see all the varied designs and wonderful ideas presented all over the internet. Fabric also is a main fascination and as a quilter, the flow between my fabrics and beads and such seems very natural, the beautiful fabrics inspire new creations. This time of year is full of lovely autumn colors, rich rusts and browns and greens in contrast to the sky. All of this and more makes me want to create.
I find inspiration comes best when I take out my different boxes of Art beads. The beauty of the handmade pieces always sparks something that brings creativity along with it! If for some reason that doesn’t work, then going on Etsy and looking at some of my favorite artists shops can help too.
I have a few tried and true ways to inspire me. One is to get out of the house and go for a walk! It not only helps clear the mind and let the stress melt away but it is hard not to be inspired by all the natural beauty around.
Second way to beat a slump is movies! I love looking at all the pieces created or if there is an absence of jewellery wondering what pieces they should have worn. Movies like Alice in Wonderland and renaissance/period style movies are great.
If all else fails: pull out a heap of supplies and stare at them blankly! Randomly place things near each other until something speaks to you
I love to go to art shows and to view various websites if different artist, it really gives me new ideas, and I really feel inspired when I do. It is fun to view all the various ideas that different individuals have. Another wonderful and near inspiration, is going to bead shows, you can find so many gorgeous unfinished pieces, then I love to come home with my bag if goodies, Kay them all out on the table sit with them by the window so I can see my garden, and then when an idea comes to me, I write it down in my inspiration journal..
Sometimes I will have multiple ideas for one piece, so I love to blend the ideas together, this usually gives me most interesting pieces.
I find that if I reorganize my supplies, I almost always run into fun pieces that I had “forgotten” about and I remember what prompted me to purchase them to begin with and then I set off to start the project.
Sometimes I look through my bead magazines and books; other times (most times) I spread beads on my work table and move them around until they say “You’ve got it!”
When I find I’m out of ideas I buy more beads! I know it’s probably not a wise decision on my part but there I go. I find inspiration by looking through catalogs and fashion magazines or checking out my bead stash.
When I’m in a slump I like to sort through my beads. Usually I can find some that inspire me. But if that doesn’t work, I pull a couple bead books from my bookshelves and look though them, or visit my favorite jewelry/bead blogs/shops such as Vintaj, Lima Beads, Fusion Beads etc.
That’s a fabulous prize package!
I spark my creativity by looking at Pinterest pages and various websites. The samples always get me creating!!
Almost everything…reading a good book, Deviantart.com, watching a movie or a T.V. show…Just walking through the craft store…Could inspire me to draw, write, sculpt, make a new necklace…..the sky is the limit!
There are many things that inspire me, but if I were to mention on thing right now it’d probably be reading a mag on another kind of craft. Seeing new materials and techniques as well as new types of art can really spark my creativity. Buying new types of supplies or learning a new technique/style of work works the same way.
Of cause, this time of year I’m also looking forward to the change of seasons. Experiencing a new season with all senses (seeing the autumn colours, feeling the chilly weather and dewy mornings, breathing in the fresh crisp air, hearing dry leaves rattle) can give you so much energy and happy feelings. Long walks in the forst means a lot of inspiring views and eye candy as well as new oxygen and generally revitalizing body and soul. It really refreshes and focus the mind on creating.
I like to look at magazines, blogs, nature, YouTube how-to videos, and, when time permits, I’ll just go to a craft store and walk the aisles of the whole store to see what’s there and what’s new! I find jewelry inspiration from lots of aisles–not just the jewelry-making aisles. I find inspiration from colors in so many things, like cards, the seasons, flowers, the sky, nail polish, and clothing. We were lucky to just get to have a quick family vacation on the beach in Gulf Shores, and the colors of the beach houses were great! I don’t have time to go on Pinterest very often, but on the MoxieFabWorld.com blog, Cath Edvalson will put fabulous Pinterest postings for inspiration.
What a great collection y’all are giving away–the colors are terrific! Thanks for the chance to win
When I’m having a creative block, it always helps to get out of the house and go hiking. I seem to find the best inspiration while out in the fresh air.
I find inspiration in antique malls and stores. I love the old jewelry and found items I can mix in.
I am new to jewelry making but not new to Tim Holtz. Tim has inspired me for years has a paper artist. I am getting my Vintaj ideas from Pinterest and different blogs off the internet. I have 2 teenage daughters and we love to just pick out pieces we like just build pieces like that. I love Vintaj pieces but I love the patinas and that I am able to create the pieces myself too. Vintaj is has become my latest and newest addiction!!
I use Vintaj products in almost almost if not all of my designs of late and I love to go to Pinterest for my Asian Jewelry ideas when stumped for a fresh idea. I am an artist that is very must oriented towards the asian flavor in jewelry design.
I’m inspired by colors and textures! Taking cues from nature always helps!
I love looking at nature like the flowers, fruits and vegetables for inspiration. Sometimes trawling through the colorful fabric shops in my area also trigger my creativity! Of course, not forgetting sites like Etsy and Pinterest!!
I love going on the internet every night after a long day at work. I look at some inspiration on the vintaj idea gallery and love watching youtube videos on what people do! Everyone has such great ideas and when I get stuck I start to work on something and all the ideas I saw mixes all up in my head and a new design pops up! I love working with Vintaj because its the best I have in south africa and nothing comes close to it!
When I need inspiration I check out the Vintaj gallery. I also like to browe the idea galleries on bead sites that sell Vintaj. Then I spread out all of my supplies and the ideas start flowing. Love tour site!
When I get the itch to make something pretty I hit my Vintaj Inspiration Gallery and technique books and Jess’ blog first. Another great “nudge” exercise is to look at seed bead and crystal mix colors and Design Seeds for pallette ideas. Since I’m addicted to reds and golds with brass and copper, I’m nudging into cool colors and arte metal, but with fall around the corner I’m going to do a lot of copper and turquoise as a compromise! Leaves go with everything, and I love Vintaj leaves for all seasons! This prompt is a big nudge, so I need to go make something right now!
Pintrest for me is a big one. Also my kids (they are so creative), the outdoors, paint samples! I love browsing thru the Vintaj gallery and picking out what I would like to try next and that usually gets me started on a bunch of ideas that of course lead to more ideas.
Whenever I need inspiration I look at bead magazines as well as websites such as Vintaj and beading daily. I think that some of the color combinations used in jewelry are great sources of inspiration.
I am constantly inspired by photography and paintings. I work in a Childcare Center and I am always fascinated and inspired by the way the children create so freely with color. Melanie Swope
I am inspired by color, by shape, and by texture. I’m a visual and tactile learner and I just love the beauty I see and feel in things. I am inspired by unusual combinations of old and new. I love vintage and antiques. So anything new that looks old inspires me.
When I think of the Vintaj products and all the exciting things I can make with them, all of the stress and worries of the day are forgotten and I just have this feeling of joy and excitement and just feel happy. I’m not the best at creating new designs, but you don’t have to be, with so many great ideas and products to choose from.
When I’m in a creative rut, I put on my favorite classical or jazz and let my mind wander while I flip through old magazines or books. This works every time!
Bead magazines, photos I have saved from Etsy or other handmade shops, the fantastic Vintaj idea gallery or just the flowers in my balcony or a piece of music!!
Nature to begin with, fashion, jewelry making books, looking at other people’s work online, your amazing Vintaj gallery of ideas…
Or could also be a piece of wire which I let guide me into forming pretty new things
I am very new to this. I wanted to get started in this because my son is deployed and I wanted to create things for our soldiers and their families. I really get inspired by looking through your ideas and especially your tips. I hope to learn more as I go.
Just about anything can get me inspired. A combination of colors hanging on a store rack, another artist’s work in a magazine or online, and most often. . .my dreams. I often find myself waking up with images of what I want to create that day in my head. And often, those tend to be my best works of art!
My creative process is sparked in many ways – something I’ve read, photos, a walk, a talk with a friend, doodling, window shopping at Vintaj and Bello Modo and other creative web sites, travel. If I am open, the spark will come.
I use Pinterest for inspiration – I love the plethora of tutorials that are available for free and the amazing works of my sister artists. I use the tutorials on Bello Mondo, Vintaj, and numerous other sites as well.
I usually lay out a bunch of items: found objects, Vintaj pieces, beads, etc. I move them around, trying out different combinations until something strikes me. I proceed from there. I am a very visual person and tactile designer. The components lead the process.
when I need inspiration, I go to my collection of beading/ jewelry making books, and look at all the inspiring pictures with in their pages….it usually gets my creative juices flowing again