Last month, I proposed a Creativity Challenge based on the theme of “white”. Here’s what our fantastic members came up with:
Thanks to EtsyChai sellers who participated in this challenge and got creative with the theme of “white”:
I like the variety of all the submissions, and they all still fit in the theme! Which is your favorite?
The next challenge will be coming around at the end of August, stay tuned to EtsyChai to see what we come up with next!
Last month, I proposed a Creativity Challenge based on the theme of “fire”. Here’s what our fantastic members came up with:
Kudos to EtsyChai sellers who rose to the challenge and got creative with the theme of “fire”:
Check out June’s theme
Last week I asked EtsyChai members: “How do you stay creative? What inspires you?” The feedback keeps coming, enjoy reading! Tamdoll
“YIKES! I get inspiration everywhere - books, magazines,store displays - but my favorite is a stroll through a museum which always helps get the juices rolling again! My problem, like Hema, is that there is just not enough time in the day and my inspiration usually strikes hours before I can do anything about it.”
www.etsy.com/shop/norunningwithscissor
“The inspiration for all my jewelry comes from the scriptures. As I read, the inspiration comes....sometimes it is color combinations other times certain passages can be represented by different symbols. Jewelry that carries a spiritual message is also an inspiration to the one who wears it.”
www.etsy.com/shop/lightofzionjewelry
“Shalom!
Where do I get my inspiration from? I had to think about this for a bit because it comes from any number of places....
1) From my childhood (as far as my Judaica work goes), my Grandmother belonged to an Orthodox Schul when I was young and I loved sitting in the balcony, listening to the all-men's choir and looking at all the wonderful stained glass windows.... They always inspired me to paint when I got home and some of these images stayed with me throughout my life.
2) From my dog (as far as my dog items go), Cookie has been my ‘heart dog’ as well as a constant companion for almost 11 years now. Though I've had others in the past, she is the one that has affected my life the most.
3) My jewelry work (which I have yet to find time to list on Etsy, but can be seen on my web site www.acacheofjewels.com) are from my days (and nights) as a Ballroom & Latin-American dancer. I, and a lot of other dancers have a need [for jewelry] …so I filled a need by knowing how to work with pavé stonework: jewelry, business card cases and more were the end result. I think it's fair to say that inspiration is always around... It's just a matter of "tuning in" when needed and "tuning out" when it can become a distraction.”
www.etsy.com/shop/acacheofjewels
“My colored glass sheets come in many colors, patterns, transparent or opaque. Sometimes I look at the glass and according to the colors and flowing patterns decide how it applies to my piece. Some examples are my fish votive, Jerusalem menorah, and Seattle space needle menorah. Another source of inspiration are customer requests; I get many emails for special requests. Some of these requests are for projects I've never tried. For example, right now I'm working on creating special pieces out of wedding cup shreds. I enjoy exploring new ideas, it's my little challenge. Stay tuned!! Most of my items are functional pieces -- holiday plates, candle holders and many other Judaica pieces. I create my pieces in different shapes and designs. I first think about the functionality of the piece determined by its shape. Would it be easy and safe to use? I create molds to slump the glass pieces, if needed. Then I create the design inspired by Judaic symbols, stories and Jewish events.”
www.etsy.com/shop/yafitglass
Thanks for stopping by, we hope you’ve liked reading these! Come back soon, add us to your blog reader, or just sign up for our EtsyChai updates by email to stay up to date with what the EtsyChai team has going on. Have a question you’d like to ask EtsyChai members? Leave a comment and maybe you’ll see it featured in a future post.
Last week I asked EtsyChai members: “How do you stay creative? What inspires you?” Here are some more responses in a series of posts featuring their replies, enjoy reading! - Tamdoll
“My love for recycling and repurposing leads to my creativity and gives me inspiration. The materials I use are often what comes available and leads me to wonder how I can use it. I also have a very practical side and create things that I can use such as: pot holders from thrift shop castoffs; or wine bottle cozies from yarn I find at the thrift shop or make from t-shirts (like the one from last month's challenge).
Recycling = vintage.”
www.etsy.com/shop/goofingoff
“Staying creative is not something that just happens!!! Sometimes I am overflowing with ideas and can barely concentrate to make dinner or fold clothes. Other times it's a dry, dry desert and I feel like there is nothing there.
Two things, one on purpose and one by accident:
1) I look at other people's stuff. This can get something started. At the very least I feel better because someone's making something beautiful.
2) Just make something, anything. Get the beads out on the table. Clean up the beads, mix them new ways, see what sticks to the wall.
I was totally stuck and disgusted with myself and then a lady at the shop wanted a Blessings ring in Size 10, so out came all the beads in this colorway. After making the ring (which took me three days because I kept messing it up) I was inspired to make some more stuff!”
www.etsy.com/shop/downtoearthcreations
“I don't get too many dry spells. My problem is more a matter having the time to create all that is in my head. When I do have dry spells I look to magazines, go to fabric shops, and just look at artwork for inspiration. What really gets me in the creative spirit is cleaning out my craft area. I discover all kinds of supplies that have gotten buried, take a fresh look at my inventory, and discover new uses for supplies that I have neglected for a while.”
www.etsy.com/shop/anjalicreations
Thanks for reading, we hope you’ve enjoyed these creative comments! Come back soon, add us to your blog reader, or just sign up for our EtsyChai updates by email to stay up to date with what the EtsyChai team has going on.
There will be more member’s comments, about being creative, in Part IV coming in a few days. This post is about the May Creativity Challenge based on the theme of “fire”. Do you think of a color, a feeling, an object when you hear “fire”? Here’s what our fantastic members have come up with so far:
Eileen of Goofingoff
Thanks for reading, we hope you’ve enjoyed these entries so far! Come back soon, add us to your blog reader, or just sign up for our EtsyChai updates by email to be sure to read Part IV!
Last week I asked EtsyChai members: “How do you stay creative? What inspires you?” Here are some more responses in a series of posts featuring their replies, enjoy reading! -Tamdoll
“My inspiration comes from the cycle of the year. As holidays approach, I begin to think ‘what items are relevant?’ Then I take those items and try to find a way of creating them in clay with my own twist on them (such as my Representational Seder Set). It helps take the tedium away from my time in the studio, where I mostly make mugs, since that's what sells the most.
I've also recently purchased the Lark book "500 Judaica", which is a wonderful addition to the library of anyone making Jewish crafts.”
agru.etsy.com
“Most of my best sellers are my customers ideas. Roller Derby legwarmers were a request as were my name scarves that were featured on The Today Show. I have a white board in my studio. When something new occurs to me I write it on the white board. Then when I feel like working has become boring, I choose a new project from the board. Current I must have 50 ideas there.”
Come back soon, add us to your blog reader, or just sign up for our EtsyChai updates by email and catch the next installment of this series to read how more members find their creative inspiration!
This week I asked EtsyChai members: “How do you stay creative? What inspires you?” I got so many responses, this will have to be a 3-part series, at least! I find inspiration everywhere, and love to see what other creative folks think. Read on and enjoy!
-Tammy, aka tamdoll
“My plates are designed to make people smile and laugh. Nothing serious. Even the Breast Cancer Plate has fun quotes on it. My inspiration comes from my family, friends and customers. Anybody that has something not so fun going on their life, this is something to just make them smile.
I love when my customers tell me who they are buying it for and why. Like these: On Mother's Day, there was a gift for a girlfriend who was a single mother with twins trying to make ends meet -- I did a mix of mothers, twins, love, girlfriends; For the girl’s boyfriend who was in Iraq and missed Cleveland so much; Or the mother who gave a personalized one to her daughter and her daughter said that it will now be a family Heirloom; And when I was at a show recently, a man with his daughter saw the Breast Cancer Plate and looked at her with tears in his eyes and said "We have to get that for mom"..she is 46 and just finished her treatment.
I love when people come up to my table all serious, start reading the Yiddish one, which is my most popular plate, and just start laughing. I love getting to know my customers and if my plates can just make people smile for a minute, I feel like I have made a difference.”
threesistersplates.etsy.com
“I know it sounds a bit crazy, but a LOT of my inspirations come to me in the half-sleep state while I am just going to sleep, or just waking up. I am not awake, but not totally asleep and I see these pictures of designs... (eerie twilight zone music plays...)”
beadsofparadiseshop.etsy.com
“I get most of my ideas in the shower! I am inspired by techniques that I want try..and ideas that I need to communicate in a different way. I am inspired by the works of other artists...especially the Fauvists, Impressionists and Expressionists. I always look at their work for inspiration :). Although, my family will tell you, that even pieces of junk mail/ recycled garbage..especially parts from my old kitchen have inspired me :).
anothercreation.etsy.com
“Upcoming holidays (US and Jewish) inspire many of my designs, including my new line of birthstone jewelry.
I also get inspiration from my clients, who ask if I have a specific item. For example, I sold a pair of matzah earrings to a woman who asked if I had a Jewish holiday necklace. Then, the idea of a chain necklace with Judaica charms came to me and I made it, emailed her to say she inspired the design, and she purchased it!
My first out of state customer who ordered a kippah asked for a comb to be included. I never did that before and now all my kippot include a comb.”
lindab142.etsy.com
Come back soon, add us to your blog reader, or just sign up for our EtsyChai updates by email and catch the next installment of this series to read how more members find their creative inspiration!
