How Ordinary Objects Can Spark Creativity Again
I've been stuck in creative slumps where I still love collage and junk journals and vintage paper, but can't seem to start anything. It's normal for creatives to lose interest in starting projects for whatever reason. Here's some advice that helped me find inspiration when I felt stuck.
Turning Packaging Into Art Journals
Sometimes creativity can return when you start paying attention to ordinary things already around you.
An old notebook, vintage stamps, or even an old sweater can become the inspiration for your next creative project. I even once used a box of instant coffee as the beginning of an art journal. The idea was so inspiring, I made multiple little booklets using the same concept.
A Remarkable Thrift Store Discovery
Another unexpected source of inspiration came when I was at the thrift store with my daughter. While browsing the book section, I found an antique photograph album from the late 1800s for just a few dollars.
Inside were handwritten poems, notes, and messages written between 1860 and 1890 by family members, friends and neighbors connected to a woman named Maranda Stewart of Virginia. Multiple possibilities of what I could do with the album instantly filled my mind. In the end, I got to share the story with others and collaborate with artists on a shared project.
Inspiration From Vintage Stamps and Papers
Around the same time, I came across a batch of damaged vintage stamps from the San Jose Stamp Club. Damaged stamps are typically overlooked by most collectors because the condition lowers the resale value.
To me, they are priceless. I love the typography, the wear on the stamp and different patterns. None of it needs to be in good condition to be useful, there are so many different projects I can make with them.
Creativity Is Often About Problem Solving
Not everything that I work with is paper, I found a cashmere sweater at a thrift store with a couple of small holes in it. I’d been watching videos on darning cashmere, so I figured I’d fix it!
Then my dog pulled it off the counter and chewed a hole in it. The size of this hole was not something I could fix, so I had to think about what I could do with a hole that big. Online, I found a second-hand cashmere scarf that I can use to attach or mend to the sweater in some way. At that point I was determined to make it work. I don't care if it's ugly, I just want to wear it because I like it.
Inspiration Comes From Paying Attention
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that inspiration is everywhere if you slow down enough to notice it. None of it started with me looking for a project. I started by noticing something specific enough to wonder what I can do with it.
So today, challenge yourself to look at something ordinary and ask: “What can I make from this? If you'd like to see these finds and the process behind them, the full video walks through each one in more detail. To join collaborative works like the Maranda Project, join my Vintage and Collage Club!