Creatively Organized Spaces for Organizing & clutter clearing tips for simplified living

Are you an Idea or Process person?

September 28, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Art & Design, Inspiration & Education, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

For some people, creativity is fueled by ideas and for others, it’s all about the process.

I definitely fall into the later category of creative.

When I get stuck and I have a vague idea of something all I really have to do to get ideas back in the flow is pick up the materials. By engaging int the process of research, experiment, play and writing or sketching out my ideas, they become more concrete and really take form.

When I am creating something, whether it is a garden design, a photograph, a textile design or a craft it really comes down to process. Take the photo above, I remember assembling all the flowers, all the teal vases, arranging them in just the way I wanted them to be, down to the fallen petals. It might not be a perfect technical or composition, but it speaks to me and may inspire something more later.

It is the process that I enjoy, it’s the process that keeps me making. It’s the process that keeps me interested and marks the time I have spent in a way that feels satisfying to me.

I often begin a project, not sure where I am headed but I don’t have to visualize the end piece to begin working. This in itself can be scary for me and I’ve often been stuck for fear that I would never be able to finish something when I don’t know what “it” will end up being. This is when I need to remember that I am a process person, not necessarily an idea person (or I should say that my ideas aren’t always as strong as my process).

When I graduated from college I had to put together a portfolio of work but before the portfolio could be assembled I had to decide what my portfolio was going to represent. I choose to skirt the edge of two types of portfolio’s with part being geared towards “industry” and pattern/woven design and the other part was geared towards studio design which encompasses creating the design AND the product. What I really wanted to do was to focus on the Studio portfolio but what I ended up doing was creating a portfolio that would get me a job in the real world. In doing this, I had to sacrifice part of the process stage of creation.

Now, I have a bit more luxury to enjoy the process and not worry about the outcome. I don’t have the pressure of school or clients when I’m creating my art. What this means is that I can have great ideas or so-so ideas but it’s my follow through that will bring these ideas into reality.

When I’m working on an organizing project I am directly involved in the process of creating systems and I usually get to witness their outcome. This was missing for me for many years in my creative career and it’s part of what I love most about organizing projects.

I was separate from the outcome of the product I designed for almost 10 years. As a CAD textile designer I rarely got to see my designs implemented. Seeing the outcome is a huge part of the process for me. Being so involved in the process of organizing, being hands on and seeing the direct results is a bit part of what I love. I am there to witness the outcome, success or failure (or somewhere in between).

As a textile designer I loved collaborating in the idea stage with the designers (and I think many of them are idea people) and I took ideas and made them work in real life spaces with size and technical limitations. These limitations were a part of the process that in the end was quite satisfying. I’m grateful that I still have the opportunity to collaborate with every client I work with. Whether my clients can visualize the ideal outcome or not, I’m there to make sure the process works and I try to make it fun along the way!

Are you an Idea or Process person?

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Welcome Autumn~Goodbye Summer

September 23, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

Happy~Sad. Mixed emotions as we Welcome Autumn and say Goodbye to Summer

Happy~ I love fall and with the extremely high temps this summer I have already been enjoying the cool evenings and lower humidity. As I post this though summer is not letting go with temps in the 90’s and high humidity.

There are so many great events in the fall. I have a lot of personal reasons to love fall such as our wedding anniversary in October and my birthday and Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday) in November.

I LOVE the changing leaves and colors of fall, the fall veggie harvests (winter squash, greens, apples, pumpkins etc), Halloween costumes and decorations and warm days and cool nights perfect for campfires.

The practice of nesting inevitably rolls around for me as well at this time of the year. It makes me want to cook soup and bake and fill the house with the smells of apples and cinnamon. I also love to get cozy with a good book or a new knitting project, which for some reason I never am motivated to do in the summer (knit that is).

Sad~Oh how I will miss the long warm relaxing days of summer with the sounds of crickets and birds chirping and the flicker of firefly’s. I will miss the beach and the pool and fireworks and days that last forever.

I’ll miss the bounty of summer veggies and especially fruits such as peaches, nectarines, melons, plums and berries. I’ve done a good bit of food preservation this summer to extend the season into the fall and winter. I just love to pull out some roasted peppers, canned peaches or frozen cherry tomatoes in the dead of winter and taste the sunshine of summer again.

I’ll miss gardens and flowers and being able to sit outside on the deck as I journal each morning or dine al fresco with friends. Summer is a time of celebrating friendships, relaxation and fun. It’s a time to recharge your batteries and store up reserves for the long cold months ahead. As a last hurrah to summer and a great way to welcome in the Autumn we are going camping this weekend at the beach. I’m wishing for a weekend that brings the best of both seasons together.

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4 Simple Goals

September 22, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques Leave a Comment

Here are the 4 Simple Goals I want to accomplish by the end of the year. This comes to you by way of the A Beautiful Mess blog and there are lots of participants. The idea here is to pick goals that are not results oriented and that are simple and will bring you more joy by doing them. A good way to check in with your goals is to ask yourself how they make you feel. Do you have that slightly uncomfortable but excited feeling or does it seem simple enough that you know you can succeed?

1. Update my software skill set (increase my Photoshop knowledge and start to learn Illustrator).

2. Start sewing and knitting again. I haven’t really done either over the past few months.

3. Organize and start a new collaborative project with artist and designer friends.

4. Finish organizing and setting up a new office space (to share with hubby) and storage space.

Bonus: Continue to increase my physical strength. I recently started lifting weights again and it feels great so I want to continue this.

I’ve chosen goals that are realistic, actionable, that I can be held accountable and that are simple and fun. I’ve also tryied to balance these 4 simple goals by choosing goals that meet a variety of my interests including, creative, intellectual, physical, home/relationship etc.

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Exciting Craft events, coming soon!

September 20, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Art, Handmade, Inspiration & Education 2 Comments

Literally! If you live in the DC Metro area there are some exciting craft events coming soon.

First, on October 2nd is the 7th year of Crafty Bastards in Adams Morgan. I am not sure I will be able to attend this year but I’ve enjoyed all the vendors in the past several years. Here are a few shots from some of my favorite vendors over the last couple of years.
The Small Object

Carlybird Weaves

Biggs and Featherbelle

In addition to great vendors there are always some fun DIY craft projects to get your hands on as well as music, b-boy battles and other great entertainment.

The second event coming to DC in October is the “Crafting A Nation” conference at the Smithsonian American Art museum. This event is FREE and it’s in conjunction with American Craft Week 2010. There is a great lineup of speakers and discussion panels and this event will be going on over 2 days so you can attend one or both days. If you can’t make it to the conference check the website out for events in your state. This event runs October 1-10 and there seems to be something going on in practically every state.

The last event I’m going to mention is the Sugarloaf Craft Festival at the MD State Fairgrounds on October 1st-2nd and the Montgomery County Fairgrounds on October 8th-9th. This festival is always fun for me to attend (even though I won’t be going this year) because I grew up in the area and have attending this event many times and I have fond memories of dreaming of becoming a crafter one day. Dreams can come true!

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Passion and Purpose

September 16, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

Without it life can be so hum drum! I am a very passionate person but I’ve learned over the years to channel passion in creative ways rather than let it be overwhelming. I feel

I feel passion in the seat of my belly and sometimes it is a physically overwhelming feeling. I think that in order to do something really well you have to have passion and purpose about what you are doing.

In order to do something really well, you have to have passion and purpose about what you are doing.

When I am not feeling passionate about a project, a design, a piece of artwork etc…I try and take the time to find that passion again by looking at it differently or by stepping away for awhile. Sometimes it takes looking to another area of my life I feel passionate about, like cooking and eating good food, spending time with a friend, dancing or taking a walk outdoors with my camera. When I allow myself this time to redirect and find that spark then I can return with a purposeful intent to complete what I have started.

Finding passion in something or about something isn’t always the same as feeling you are doing something purposeful. Having a purpose in life, in your career choices, in your relationships, through giving or volunteering with others, that’s what drives us to keep doing something even when we have lost that moment of passion. Passion is fleeting, purpose is permanent. I strive to live a life doing things I am passionate about while feeling they are contributing to a deeper purpose.

How do you find your passionate drive and do you know your purpose?

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Sheer joyful color!

September 9, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Art, Art & Design, Inspiration & Education, Photography 3 Comments

Yesterday I was cleaning up a bit in the kitchen and prepping some veggies and as I cut off the top of the yellow bell pepper and set it down I was captured by its sheer joyful color and form!

I went to get my camera and came back to the kitchen and noticed the yellow sunflowers that I’d been meaning to take some photo’s of and then they were in a lovely teal vase (I collect teal pottery and ceramics) and then there were those yellow cherry tomatoes sitting inside the berry bowl by Bridgman Pottery!

All this yellow and teal together, a favorite color combination of mine (especially if you throw in a little red also).

For the next 30 or so minutes I just let myself be caught up in the beauty of the moment of sheer joyful color!

I loved the total spontaneity of this photo shoot, not planned just joyful. How can you not think joyful thoughts when looking at the warm golden tones of sunflowers and the golden veggies of late summer harvests.!

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Out with the Old~Inviting in the new

September 7, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Art & Design, Wellness & Mindset 3 Comments

Lately my mind is on de-cluttering, purging and making space for new things in life. Out with the old!

My husband and I spent the last week going from room to room gathering things that we no longer needed, loved or wanted. We decided we wanted to try something different and gathered all of these items together to head to a local flea market! Our community has a regular flea market (does yours?) and they make it pretty easy to show up just once or on a regular basis. We’ve had plenty of garage and yard sales but thought we would give this a try. There are a lot of flea market regulars and certainly a guaranteed amount of foot traffic that you may or may not get at a yard sale. Anything is worth a try when you want to get rid of a lot of stuff at once (say for an upcoming move?)!

On Saturday morning we headed out very early in order to go to a flea market and sell a bunch of stuff that’s taking up too much space in our lives. This included clothing, tools, home goods from the kitchen to linens, gardening supplies and more. Basically, anything you would sell at a yard sale. We have a 10′ pop up tent, which I highly recommend for any outdoor affair.

We had made a decision that whatever didn’t sell wasn’t coming back into the house. At the end of the day, I was left with only a few boxes of items to donate. The weather was mostly beautiful (a little am mist)! It was fun to interact with other vendors and a challenge to not be tempted, as I was, to bring something new (to you) home. I got the two antique games below because I love the charming images on them! I also found a couple small hand stitched textiles. All in all, much more went out than came back!

Making room for “new” can mean a lot of different things but in my case I am not trying so much to make room for physical things as much as new ideas and inspiration. Another area of my life that I am doing this is in the exploration of old design sketches and concepts I’ve completed to some degree over the last 10 years. I am really enjoying bringing these designs beyond concepts and sketches and into fully rendered ideas.

Moving through old stuff and ideas can help us to release them and move forward and create space for new creativity!

You can not “hoard” your own ideas, they must be released in order for the new creative ideas to move through you, the same can be said for our stuff!

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Something for nothing?

September 3, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Art, Handmade, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

Have you ever been asked to do something for a client only to find out that they can’t actually pay you? If not be prepared to be in that situation sooner or later in your creative career. As I have started this journey of self-employment I have encountered quite a few opportunities to do something for someone where I was not necessarily “paid” in monetary terms.

Depending on your situation you have to ask yourself a few questions to determine if this project is a good idea or not.

1. Is this project something I would enjoy or love doing?

2. Is the client offering me something I can truly use in return for my time and services -is it truly of VALUE to me?

3. Can this client lead me (or refer me) to other clients who can pay me?

4. Are the project and the expectations of you and your client clearly defined?

5. Is this an opportunity to expand in a new direction that you have been wanting to gain experience in?

If you answered yes to at least 3 of the questions above then you may want to consider this sort of arrangement. I am finding that I am being asked to participate in various types of projects by other entrepreneurs and when someone else is just starting out as well I am more inclined to help them out if they are serious, professional and can offer me something equally valuable (relative to the time I would spend for them).

I’ve also been approached by mid sized/large companies asking me to work a barter deal with them. Frankly, this is not as appealing to me unless they rarely have something valuable to offer me in return. We all have to earn a wage at some point, here in the US it would be virtually impossible to survive on a barter system alone.

The whole subject of “Free” is one that is continuously being discussed. I’ve participated in a few online discussions over at the former website “Make and Meaning”. You can find an archive of these discussions on the subject of free over at Crafty Pod. This subject really gets people worked up, they either love or hate the idea of sharing their ideas and services for free or for the exchange of publicity, referral or some other less monetary exchange.

Either way, be prepared to explore the possible advantages and disadvantages of doing something for “free”.

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Creativity and Spirituality

August 31, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

The process of creating can be deeply spiritual experience if I allow it to be. Going within myself and allowing a creative expression to flow from within me, ideas that my conscious mind may not have thought of. The process of creating, being an artist or living a creative life also requires a certain discipline that I liken to a spiritual discipline.

When you tap into intuition surrounding your creative process, you let it flow from you rather than trying to control it.

This can be a difficult lesson to learn for some of us.
Many artists and appreciators of art have recognized this connection between spirituality and creativity. Rothko’s chapel is one such example where the artist was commissioned to create a spiritual and meditative space through the installation of his art. I find his paintings to be deeply meditative as well as the work of Yves Klein’s Blue series.

Each of us is capable of having a strong spiritual or emotional reaction to art, whether positive or negative.

This reaction may not be related to the artists spiritual or emotional experience of creating the art, sometimes it is obvious the message the artist is sharing and sometimes not. I often got through dry spells but my creative friends remind me that this is part of the process. You must recognize the necessity of this still period and allow it to happen, let the ideas gather, build and eventually they will flow again. There are certain actions we can take as artists to nurture this creative process. Reading things that may be completely foreign and letting ideas about new topics create sparks of energy. In my last

You must recognize the necessity of this still period and allow it to happen, let the ideas gather, build and eventually they will flow again.

There are certain actions we can take as artists to nurture this creative process. Reading things that may be completely foreign and letting ideas about new topics create sparks of energy. In my last post, I spoke about play and collaboration as a way to invoke the creative process.

A natural sense of curiosity can spark many new creative fires. When we are anxious and our minds are busy processing the many lessons of life we may feel emotionally drained and this is like a big wet blanket putting out the fires of our creativity.

The biggest challenge I face as an artist is to recognize that being an artist is a process, creating art is a process. It is not about the outcome, the recognition or the completed piece of “art” it is about the need to create something that is an expression of yourself. Personal and unique and only something you could create, this is yours alone.

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Invoke the Spirit of Play

August 27, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Art & Design, Inspiration & Education, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

Cats, dogs play and children usually play on a daily basis…why don’t we make the time Invoke the Spirit of Play (as adults)?

Some of us play sports, some of us play board games, some of us play musical instruments. When I get particularly stressed my automatic response is the opposite of play. I think of all the things I need to do or that I should be doing. What I should actually do is make some play time, give my brain a little time off and free myself of all that is causing me stress. Last year for the holidays I broke down and got my husband a PSP player and I’ve found myself playing video games now and then. I don’t “Play” any musical instruments but love to hear my husband play guitar.

Sometimes play for me means sitting down and creating jewelry, knitting, making something with my hands or taking a walk with my camera and not taking the end “product” too seriously.

During one of the blizzard we had last winter we lost power for about 12 hours. One of the most fun parts of that blizzard is bundling up with blankets and candles and playing monopoly on our bed and Humm… my husband still owes me the completion that game!

How do you invoke the spirit of play?

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Are you an Idea or Process person?

For some people, creativity is fueled by ideas and for others, it’s all about the process.

When I get stuck and I have a vague idea of something all I really have to do to get ideas back in the flow is pick up the materials. By engaging int the process of research, experiment, play and writing or sketching out my ideas, they become more concrete and really take form.

It is the process that I enjoy, it’s the process that keeps me making. It’s the process that keeps me interested and marks the time I have spent in a way that feels satisfying to me.

Welcome Autumn~Goodbye Summer

Happy~Sad. Mixed emotions as we Welcome Autumn and say Goodbye to Summer

4 Simple Goals

Exciting Craft events, coming soon!

Passion and Purpose

Sheer joyful color!

Out with the Old~Inviting in the new

Something for nothing?

Creativity and Spirituality

When you tap into intuition surrounding your creative process, you let it flow from you rather than trying to control it.

Each of us is capable of having a strong spiritual or emotional reaction to art, whether positive or negative.

A natural sense of curiosity can spark many new creative fires. When we are anxious and our minds are busy processing the many lessons of life we may feel emotionally drained and this is like a big wet blanket putting out the fires of our creativity.

Invoke the Spirit of Play

Cats, dogs play and children usually play on a daily basis…why don’t we make the time Invoke the Spirit of Play (as adults)?

Sometimes play for me means sitting down and creating jewelry, knitting, making something with my hands or taking a walk with my camera and not taking the end “product” too seriously.

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