Artists such as musicians and painters (two groups who are truly considered artists) have honed the ability to tap into their creativity in order to produce new works of art. However, in the process of everyday life, non-musicians and non-painters create as well. Sometimes it’s not recognized as such. Whether it is the meal that is explained away as “something I just threw together” or the coordination of disparate clothing items to create that “look”, creativity is reflected by almost everyone.
Growing up, I could see an everyday item in different ways and then use it for alternate purposes. My grandmother’s old bushel basket became a round telephone table with the help of some cloth draped over it. I learned how to crochet early but it was so early that I can’t remember what I made because I also stopped relatively early. I learned how to sew almost by intuition and ended up making a pair of pants, a top and a jacket in seventh grade home economics instead of the pair of recommended elasticized shorts. As a preview for the future, I didn’t do so well when it came to the cooking part though. In addition to creating physical things such as clothes or innovative furniture, I also wrote poetry and could deeply visualize the plot of books I read. Even today, sometimes the longest laughter comes when someone tells me something rather innocuous and I’ve visualized it in my head. To them, they probably didn’t find it that funny, to me, the mental picture is a hoot.
With the passage of time, creativity manages to fade into the background as worries, concerns, deadlines and, basically, life steps in to redirect the focus. Skills once learned lie dormant. Hobbies once practiced are forgotten. Memories of being in the flow recede. And life goes on.
Such was the case for me. However, I recently decided to pick up several creative activities and tap into the creative flow once again in order to create something concrete from the abstract. I started crocheting a cap a while ago and finished within two days. However, I followed the directions for the wrong size and it seemed only appropriate for a boy’s head and not that of an adult. The rework is in progress. In addition, over three years ago, I purchased a variety of gemstone beads in order to make jewelry. A few pieces were made on-demand for my sister’s birthday and as gifts to two people (with one design being duplicated for me). Life got in the way and the hundreds of dollars of supplies just moved around from spot to spot, place to place. I finally started working on pieces that I had already begun but needed to finish and created another piece from the beginning. I now have two totally complete necklaces and matching earrings for one necklace; two almost-complete necklaces that just need clasps in order to consider them done and some abstract ideas for other pieces that need to be fleshed out with the appropriate materials. The box(es) of gemstones are still very much full with stones of various sizes and colors awaiting the transition from abstract concept to concrete design. So, when 3am arrives and I’m struggling to return to sleep, maybe, just maybe, I’ll lie in bed, not with visions of sugarplums dancing in my head but the next necklace or earrings arranging themselves in my mind’s eye. As for the poetry, it is still on hiatus at the moment. However, it could make a comeback as well.
Supportive partnerships and encouragement help in any endeavor, creative or otherwise. I recently met a photographer and hope that we can be creative sounding boards for each other. At some point, I’ll even have a recent photo of me and she will have a new necklace.
Creative flow is always swirling around in the ether; it’s just a matter of tapping into it. I’m trying to consciously tap into it so that I may produce items that will provide alternative revenue streams. Yet, with or without the revenue (hopefully with it), it feels good to make an abstract idea take on a concrete shape.