It is so hard to find that extra time in the day to fit in a little crafting. By reviewing where our time goes during the day and making a determined effort to have time to practice and learn new skills, while getting together the materials we need, we are able to open up the opportunity for us to be creative.
I have been creating cards and paintings and mixed media creations for many years; from when I was in High School, through studying at university, working full time, then having kids then having kids and working full time. Because mixed media arts and papercrafts are my passion, I will find time and space to create, fitting it in as and when I can.
I am always very interested when I find others who are amazed at what I make, and by their excuses as to why they could never make such nice things. It seems to boil down to one of three reasons (or a combination of all three):
1. I don’t have enough time
2. I don’t have the talent / skills / know-how
3. I don’t have the equipment or materials
I see these are the three “I can’t do it” myths of creativity. Let’s look at each one in detail.
Don’t have enough time
While working and children and keeping a house does take up a lot of time, it is important to understand were our time goes. Every person on this planet has 24 hours in a day and seven days in a week. It is how we choose to use our time which determines if we have enough time for creative pursuits.
If you are one of those people who doesn’t know where your time goes, it may be time to do a “time audit”; keeping a written record of the tasks you do through a normal week. Even a simple breakdown into categories of Kids, Household, My time, Working, Computer, Garden, Television will help you to see where your time goes. At the end of the week, summarise where the time goes each day.
Then it’s time for some real thinking. Are you surprised as to where your time goes? Are you seeing proportionate results for your effort? Now you can take stock and consider if how you are spending your time is in line with your goals and values.
For me to fit in my crafting, I concentrate my housework into a limited number of hours in a week; what gets done, gets done, what doesn’t will either get delegated or left for next week. Then I schedule in time to create. At times it has only been for half an hour (an hour at the most) in the evenings, after the children are in bed (or at least playing in their rooms). By planning my crafting activities (Christmas comes around at the same time each year) and allowing enough time, I can get these projects done by spending a little time, most days, completing each project bit by bit.
Don’t have the skills
Wanting to create is enough to get started; developing the skills will happen in line with the creative process. Especially with the Internet these days, we all have access to so many different techniques and other artists, that reading up on the basics is enough to get you going. Then there are courses and classes with your local stores or crafting groups. All of the people I have met across many crafts are always happy to share what they know.
More advanced skills will be developed as you get more practice in while you are creating. Many techniques are dependent on the latest crafting fashions and these can be developed the same way as your basic skills. And these are the more tangible skills.
The intangible skills of colour mixing and knowing just where to place things can also be developed through practice and consciously looking at he work of others. By consciously, I mean that when you think “oh that’s nice” then begin to ask yourself why – it is the colours, the techniques used, the placement of embellishments? Becoming more analytical will built your skills.
My talents are mostly developed through practice and seeing other people’s work, with a few classes thrown in. I tend to stick to safe colour combinations. For collages I follow the steps I have outlined in other articles. Then the placement of images and embellishments are done until it feels “right”.
Don’t have equipment or materials
As we have seen across the Mixed Media Arts site, there are many things that we already have around the house or borrowed from the children that can be used to start creating. Card form cereal boxed, glue sticks or sticky tape, basic paints, pens and note paper – if you don’t have these hidden somewhere, a trip to the local variety shop will help get you started. Remember that you don’t need every colour or size or shape to begin with. Stick to some basic colours and multi purpose stamps and inks. You will find that your artistic tastes will change as you create more artwork and learn different techniques. Your materials and equipment collection will expand as opportunity presents itself.
I have had many years to collect my craft supplies. I have things stuffed into many corners but I just don’t use them. Unless I go through the drawers on a regular basis, then I forget what I have. So not having lots of supplies is not the only aspect that will keep you from crafting.
Creativity is a skill like any other that needs time doing it to get better at it. Finding the time to spend creating is where the challenge is in our modern busy lives. By being aware of where we spend our time we can make decisions about how we use it and if crafting is a priority for you, the time slots will present themselves. All the wishful thinking that you had more skills or time or materials will only help you if you use it as motivation to change what you were doing yesterday, and try something different today – that is the only way to create lasting change in your life.
So get creating!
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Further Resources:
The Artistic Mother: A Practical Guide to Fitting Creativity into Your Busy Life – Shone Cole
Shona shows us how to incorporate our creativity into our busy lives. It all begins with thinking about your vision, setting goals, breaking them into steps and setting up a dedicated space for creating. The instructions are well laid out and easy to understand, with accompanying photos. The 12-week art course is great and will help even the most time-challenged mother get started.
For artist just starting out, Shona reminds us it is important to follow step-by-step instructions to begin with, then you can branch out with your own ideas. The short stories about other artist mothers that are spread through the book are inspiring and remind us that we can fit creativity into our lives.
This is a MUST HAVE book for all mothers!
The Artistic Mother: A Practical Guide to Fitting Creativity into Your Busy Life
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I spent (wasted?) the first 55 years of my life thinking I wasn’t creative. Then I decided I didn’t care, I just wanted to play. Now I am retired and have time to try a whole range of techniques and am having a LOT of fun. Your website is fantastic. Please continue to show how different techniques and effects.
I agree with Linda. I am having fun fun fun! Keep the techniques and ideas flowing.
Your site is so inspirational…I agree time needs stolen from the day to be creative….I have an idea,,,just need to make the vision come to life..with puzzle pieces. A day not being creative is like lost …you just can’t backup time. have a Sew Peaceful Day. FLO
I soooo agree with this! I have been a mother, a student and working, all at the same time, so I know how much I relied on my organisational skills to fit everything in. I suspect this may the key to much of the negativity about the three myths above – it requires taking charge of your life, instead of your life taking charge of you.
There is no such thing as an instant expert, and as most of us were told at school, we need to practice, practice, and practice before we have a certain proficiency at anything, let alone what can be described as talent. But no one ever said we should not have fun when we practice, and this is what makes mixed media such a rewarding and enriching experience!
I do my craft work in the evenings in front of the TV – thats my “me” time – and if I can grab a few extra minutes here and there during the day, thats a bonus. And there is nothing like getting gluey, sticky and messy for putting some perspective and fun back into life!
I’ve taught introductory level, traditional quilting for 30 years and last year launched into the Art Quilt world. This has been such a positive experience for me and has truly rejuvenated my creative side and given me permission to play. I very much appreciated your insights into why some people feel they are not creative.
I agree about the ‘time’ thing. When I was younger and certainly busier with children and family demands I actually produced more. Now I am semi retired and doing a different kind of art work to that in the past, and can more or less make what time I want I find I procrastinate. I thought it was because I’m doubting my ability in new areas but in fact when I do launch into it I realise I was mulling stuff over all the time and sort of planning or imagining. Sometimes I start and end up doing something completly different but I do realise as with the ariticle about ‘Dispelling the Myth etc’ that our ‘minds’ are where it is all at. Being on purpose and in the flow so to say. I have certainly learnt that over the years. This is such a good website.Cheers Patricia Mortensen, New Zealand