BBEST-Boomers and Beyond Etsy Street Team

Friday, February 26, 2010

Sharpening Your Point of View

Much has been written about the value of failure. Although we cringe at that word, we learn far more about how to succeed when things go wrong than when things go right. By experiencing what doesn't work, we gain a world of knowledge about how to improve our operational methods to produce a lasting success. Failure, though frustrating, forces us to change our perspective; it pushes us not only to think outside the box, but to tip the box upside down and look at it from odd angles, leading us to moments of enlightenment. Getting stuck in the creative grind helps to sharpen our points of view.

Well, I admit, I am still waiting for that grand "aha" moment to occur in my recent crafting misadventure with glue. Yet I know that it will occur somewhere along the line if I just keep trying new vantage points while viewing my adhesion problem. I have been attempting to bring life to a few jewelry designs that combine lucite (plastic) and glass cabochons and metal settings, but I haven't been able to find a glue or epoxy that passes my durability testing. It's a sticky situation indeed...or rather, a lack of stickiness! All the most popular adhesives have failed miserably, even with proper surface preparation and curing time. Will I have to abandon my designs and shove these lovely little flower elements to the back of my crafting stash? I hope not.

I think I just need to let the project alone for awhile to give my tired brain a chance to process the gluey data. A certain period of coming unglued, pun intended, is required to let go of preconceived design ideas before new ones can assemble themselves. Very often, in the deep recesses of the night during sleep, while driving, or while in the shower, the mind has an epiphany. The curious child that still resides in those dusty mental corners comes out to play with that problematic "box," looking inside it and turning it every which way until a light bulb clicks on that illuminates an answer. Be aware, however, that the answer might not be - probably won't be, the one you expected or even desired. And you will have many interim moments of throwing your hands in the air in disgust and defeat. Don't despair! The aftereffect of creative failure and re-examination is usually a more viable concept even if it looks entirely different from your original mental picture of the project. At this point, all you are required to do is keep the box open in the back of your mind so that your inner child can come out to play.

So, for now, I have put these half-completed pieces of jewelry in a "pending box" (top open, of course) while I wait for further inspiration. I have plenty of other things to do in the meantime!

One other ingredient that helps sharpen focus on a problem is ample aesthetic input; while you are waiting for creative insight, absorb all the colors, sights, sounds, smells, words, and textures in your surroundings. You never know when one seemingly insignificant piece of data could be the one that was missing from your original design equation.

Here are some wonderful ways in which BBEST artisans help give us a little change in point of view.

A clever way of arranging items in a photograph gives a fresh impression of a wearable item.

Peekaboo Sunshine Jumper or Sundress

from ByTheBy

Open the windows to let light in, physically and symbolically.

All the Flowers in a Row Original Watercolor

by Yankeegirl's Watercolors

Feeling sleepy? Wake up and smell the coffee!

Freshly Roasted Coffee Candle

from AJ's Country Cottage

Listen to the music of your soul

Music Pendant - Black and White, Polymer Clay

by Artsy Clay

Revel in the wonder of your inner child

Sparrow - Neighborhood Girl, ACEO Pencil Drawing

by Sixsisters

Experience the simple pleasures of nature

Original Flower Still Life Watercolor

by The Creators Palette

Perhaps a little comfort food is needed

I Love Milk and Cookies Quilted Fabric Postcard

by Attack of the Vintage

Wait...and then wait some more...be patient

ACEO Espera (Waiting) Photo Print

by Van Fleet Street Design

Prescription: Have a healthy dose of color every day

Underground - Art Card, ACEO Edition

by Diane Clancy's Art

Laugh, smile, play and be joyous...tomorrow's a new day

La Frog en Rose Upcycled Pinbacks

by Joonbeam

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

BBEST Bookies

I’ll bet you didn’t know that the first week in March is Return a Borrowed Book Week. As a recovering librarian, I’ve seen the stigma, pain, and disgust associated with book felony, and would like to extend a hand of support to any who suffer from this malady. This is the chance to get right with your friends, relatives, teachers and libraries: make atonement! Return your delinquent materials during this time of amnesty – librarians will look the other way and no pejorative remarks will be made!

It’s also a good time to mention our BBEST bookies. We’ve got a few authors in our midst. One of them is our own Myfanwy Hart, who’ll autograph your copy of her how-to book on tools and felt making, entitled The Embellisher: Let’s Get Started! Although nearly unpronounceable (to Yanks, anyway), Myfwany’s name is popping up more and more frequently in craft circles, so you’d better order your first edition before she becomes too famous!

Liz Plummer prints wonderful covers for Moleskin pocket books. I’ve found these little books essential when traveling – just stick one in purse or bookbag and write down all your good ideas.

Long-time BBESTer Judy, aka Mr. Penquin, has wonderful foldable books that are intriguing gifts for all ages. At JN Originals, she also makes beautiful wool needle books for the stitchers in our lives.

Book Wraps makes folios and book covers. Her delightful stitched journal covers make room for a pen or pencil in a little pocket in the back.

BBESTers also offer bookmarks, book plates, vintage books, pins using book illustrations and all kinds of wonderful things book-related. You can see them all by searching BBEST books.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Ahhhhh……..Treasuries

I was bummed! Sally was snowed in and couldn’t get out of her driveway. Thankfully, the electricity hadn’t gone off when the big snow hit, and there was still Instant Messaging. I was sitting there virtually chatting with Sally, when I said to myself, “Hmmm. Think I’ll check out the Etsy treasury and see how close it is to opening up.” Wrote to Sally, “Be back in a few!”

The list totaled 344 with about an hour to go. “Should be able to create a treasury in that time,” I thought. So, off I went to look for a theme………..black sounded nice! (And it is never a problem to find marvelous, gorgeous, beautiful, fabulous creations when one looks for items created by members of the Boomers and Beyond Team.) Thank goodness for the Poster Sketch Tool that lets one move photos around to arrange them just so!

Back to the IM. I wrote, “Oh, Sally, just wait till you see this treasury of Bbest creations! Now, the only trick is being there when the window opens. Be right back.” “No problem,” Sally replied.

Down to 15 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes. Decided I’d better just wait right there. Wallah! The box opened, and off I went entering the listing numbers in the small boxes and watching the photos magically appear. About half way through, the numbers weren’t going into the boxes! Seemed frozen. My guess was the Etsy servers were simply overloaded with treasury makers! After a few minutes, I was able to finish it.

Back to the IM. “Sally, it’s finished. Here is the listing number so you can go check it out! Let me know what you like the best,” I wrote. “I will move the alternates into the treasury before it expires so all have a chance to be seen.”

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=114621

It wasn’t long before I saw the IM flashing. Sally was back. “I’m in awe,” she wrote. “I can’t choose a favorite….I like them all!”

“Me, too,” I replied. “So much that I’m going to put the the active photos and the alternates here as well…..never know how many folks might see them here on the blog! Also, the treasury will expire on Wednesday, and so the photos will be here well after that!”