Self-doubt, Procrastination & Fear

”Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.”

• Do you have self-doubt? You won't succeed.
• Do you procrastinate every time you want to start a new piece of work? I'll do it tomorrow (again).
• Do you fear rejection ?  No one will buy or appreciate your art.

I sometimes do, actually, it does creep back out of that dark hole inside me. I get swallowed up by it, and it's an awful feeling. It might seem all good on instagram but deep inside there is a niggling feeling.

The War of Art

I recently picked up this book by Steven Pressfield. It was recommended in an art chat group and completely forgot about it until last week when it popped up in my feed again. No, it's not "The Art of War", it's "The War of Art".  Mr. Pressfield hits it on the head - I'm holding back, procrastinating, having self-doubt and fear because of RESISTANCE. 

How do I break from RESISTANCE?

1. Define what you want - my artist friend told me that she writes for 10 - 60 mins a day about her thoughts and how she's going to deal with it. It's a good way to reflect on your practice too. YOU are in charge of your DESTINY.

2. Hunker down and be consistent - practice your craft. If you are committed to going into the studio at 9am everyday, then DO IT even if you're not working on any project.  Just take out a piece of fabric just do some stitches. Get off the internet and DO YOUR WORK! Stay committed.

One part of the book I love is this:

"Someone once asked Somerset Maugham if he wrote on a schedule or only when struck by inspiration. “I write only when inspiration strikes,” he replied. “Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.”"

This is so true. Our inspiration doesn't occur like lightening but it happens when we make the effort to practice our craft. We want to become masters!


3. Acknowledge and face resistance - write it down. Face your demons and take them head on!  Be organised - understand that art is the process and journey, not always about the product!

When Do I Start?

NOW!

Stitch Meditation

First week into 2019 - how is everyone feeling? Before we wrapped up 2018, I came across this relaxing, yet very creative process called Stitch Meditations. It is a bit like doodling in your sketchbook, but think of it more of doodling with thread. As Liz Kettle in the video says, there are no rules, or boundaries, just go with the flow and see what you come with.


Stitch Meditations with Liz Kettle from Liz Kettle on Vimeo.

I have cut my batch of 4 by 4 inch squares of cotton muslin and have started to set aside time to create a tiny collage. Sometimes I spend 15 mins, sometimes an hour or more.  It really depends on my mood, but at least I'm practising my skills.  You may notice that I don't use more than a handful of stitches - they are just straight running stitches, sometimes a few back stitches, but most of the time just running. I send the one direction and then back the other depending on how I feel or how the piece of fabric speaks to me.

So how did I get started?

1. Pre-cut your squares
Start somewhere! This was very important advice from Liz. Have the squares all pre-cut, put them in a box and you won't have the excuse of not having starting. The blank canvas is ready to be stitched on!

2. Limit your scraps and sewing thread to a few
I limited myself to 4 colours of thread and 2 weights, 12 and 30.  I grabbed a handful of scraps and put them in a box and that's all I was going to use. If you have too many choices, you'll end up wandering all over the place! Remember the power of limitations!

3. Dedicate a certain time for it
You know you! It doesn't matter when is best, only you will know!

This is what I've done so far, and I find it useful to do this concurrently with my walks and observation recordings in my sketchbooks. The best thing about it is you can carry your project anywhere with you! How fab is that?

PS - there is a Stitch Meditation facebook group if you're keen to join!

Don't Try to Focus Your Creativity

"Don't try to focus your creativity. Let it drift and explore!"

I was sharing with a friend how frustrating it was for me to concentrate on one technique, and it has been like this since....forever.  It can be very intimidating and even more so when you are trying to find your way - it might take a few months, a few years, or even a lifetime, but I always have to remind myself that it is part of the journey and enjoying the process is the most important part of it.

Because of my interest in textiles and how much love that goes into them, I made the decision to explore weaving but somehow I drifted into colour as well. So, weaving is on hold now and weaving is sitting on a table in my room. Somehow I can't sit still!

I had chanced upon Dionne Swift's on-line silkscreen workshop and had always wanted to take one, so I signed up! Many of you might be thinking why wouldn't I take one closer to home. Unfortunately, the workshops I found in Singapore did not go into the process of creating your own mix of dyes, and this was something that I wanted to have control over rather than buying pre-made ones.  It was an intense 2 weeks but because it was on-line I got to decide when I would take the lessons.

I'm pretty happy with what I've made so far and ideas have been buzzing in mind as to how I can take it further with my old clothes. It does make me appreciate how much effort goes into handmade prints and designs.  So when my friend said that I should drift and explore, I think she's right. I need to find out what I'm happy with and only by exploring can I do that.

Stimulating Creativity - Developing Sketchbooks

Sometimes when I want to upcycle or repurpose something, my mind goes blank.

I have a sudden fear of deconstructing or cutting it up, that I end up not touching it at all.

The project gets shelved and it is forgotten.

Everyone feels this way at some time or another - looking at a blank page (or anything!) and holding your pencil, wanting to put something down but can't.

I recently took up an online sketch book workshop taught by artist, Dionne Swift. You might be thinking why I took it as I don't draw, but the process of developing sketch books really helped me in building my creative stamina. 

Don't Fear the Blank Page

That's right, we were told to "pimp up" every blank page with everything and anything we had. Why, I even used nail varnish! 

Don't Overthink it

Sometimes overthinking will just make things complicated. Just let it go!

Things Are Not What They Seem

When  you develop your sketch book, you create a library of designs / patterns / colours for yourself to refer to. If you get stuck during a project, you can take your book and leaf through it for inspiration. Sometimes you might find something you like!

For me, I find that the whole process was relaxing and helped me look at objects differently. Developing your own sketchbook will definitely help you in idea generating ideas and designs for your projects. 

I have found it very useful in my weaving projects especially when it comes to choosing colours and patterns.

Here's my latest sakiori projects using waste textiles.

Disclaimer: I paid for and attended the online course. All views are my own.

Creative Stamina

Have you ever had a mental block when you create something, or maybe sometimes you stop making altogether and have a fear of starting a project again?

I've had moments like that all the time, and even more so last year. So when I read about "creative stamina" on TextileArtist.org, I thought that is what I needed to develop, regardless mental block or not. 

What is Creative Stamina?

Joe and Sam Pitcher do a good job explaining what creative stamina is on their video. 

I never thought of stamina being associated with creativity, but it all came together when I heard 

my hubby talking to my kid about stamina in football playing. 

Of course! 

Stamina is "the power to endure" 

By increasing your creative stamina, you enhance your ability to bounce back from mental blocks, inhibit your fears, and get on the making wagon.

Stamina is not just associated with physical activity, you know! 

Increasing My Creative Stamina

If you want to improve, you have to keep making; you have to go to your studio on a regular basis and at optimal a frequency as your schedule allows it. 

Plan ahead - I find that when I've finished a project, I need to do a little reflection and determine what when wrong and what needs improving. Then I make it again!

As artists / designers, we really need to be organised and find the time to make - no excuses, sorry!

Here are my latest creations - I've been back into my "creating area" (I don't have a studio yet) and making more things! 

Are you increasing your creative stamina?

Do you have any tips to share?

3 Tips on How To Create with Kids

I love working with kids. Did I say that loud enough? I LOVE working with kids in my DIY upcycling workshops.

I love them, chubby cheeks and all. Then again maybe I just happen to meet the “right” kind of kids at the right time.

Last weekend， out of all the kids I interacted with at The Big Draw, Playeum only 2 broke down. One because we imposed rules on her (and I must admit that I was to blame) and the other burst into tears because he realised he had to part with his creation and leave it with the Weave a Story installation.

Drawing and making music at The Big Draw, Playeum

On reflection， there are some things that could have been improved. Here are my learning points:

1. Make it free flow
Kids didn't really like it when things got too structured. Some liked to cut， others wove， while others enjoyed the whole process. If it's too structured for kids, it's not play, it's not fun, and then they lose interest.  I saw this on a friend's Facebook timeline. Very true, isn't it?

2. Let them take over
What is weaving? We have learnt weaving a standard way; maybe there is a better way to approach it? We ended up with some kids weaving sections of the hoop away from the starting point ( ie not from the centre) while one boy said he wanted to make a spider web， and why not? When he finished， the ball of yarn became the spider!

3. They are important
One of the main reasons why it was called Weave a Story was because every child contributes to it in some way or other be it cutting， preparing the hoops or weaving. 

Each child had a role to play and their contribution differed from the next through colour，material and even the way they weaved!

It was crucial to get their buy in and we realised about an hour into the activity what better way than to get them to write their names on the hoops. We had hoops with several names on them which spoke out "We did this together".

And towards the end， I got the children to help me hold the hoops while I hung them up. Their faces lit up when they saw how their work contributed to the installation.

What tips do you have when you create with kids?

You might like reading my previous post on creativity in Out of the Box

A big thank you to Playeum for engaging me as one of the artists at The Big Draw!

Stay Away From the Internet

"The internet will suck all creative content out of the world" David Byrne

....and I believe it.
Once in a while, the internet is great for getting ideas for your DIY, craft or refashion projects.
But it also destroys your creativity.

Ask yourself these questions, how much time do you spend in front of the screen?
What do you do?

• Aimless surfing and searching for long periods of time?
• Social networking? 
• Taking strange surveys?
• Watching videos ?

I have a friend who loves watching videos on how to make wonderful meals, but she has never made any of them. It won't do any good if you don't put it into practice. I wonder how many people really end up making them after "liking" and "sharing" them on their timeline.
We devote huge chunks of our time to the internet that we forget how to use our hands. What about the next generation?

"Children have got to be taught hands-on, and not to become mobile phone or computer dependent.
They should use computers as and when, but there are so many people playing with their computers nowadays that spend all their time sitting there with a stomach. They are dependent on Google searches. A lot of kids will become fairly brain-dead if they become so dependent on the internet, because they will not be able to do things the old-fashioned way."  Trevor Baylis, inventor of wind-up radio

We should be doing things that nurture our creativity - reading, writing, making things, playing, using our imagination.

If you want the inspiration, perhaps a walk in the park, some meditation or even a face-to-face conversation with a friend could help spark some ideas.  Don't go to Pinterest! Ideas may come from the internet but inspiration comes from what you experience in life, and this is what gives you your unique take on it.

Here were some of the things that inspired me during the past week - and they were NOT from the internet.

I chanced upon these lovelies during a meeting. They were tossed behind the building - why would anyone want to throw them away? They would make a nice necklace.

Found these nice sticks and leaves for a workshop.

I saw these shadows during a hot day - I'm thinking this could make a lovely print!

This is what my friend wore when we met, and it got me thinking about another refashion project.

The internet can be fun, but it also can be addictive. Don't let it take you away from what you are most passionate about.

Out of the Box - Creativity & Upcycling

Do you remember when your child drew his or her first picture? Or maybe when they coloured in the pictures? Was the sky blue, the grass green? Did mummy wear a dress and have long hair?   I noticed my son initially coloured the sky red, made the grass yellow, and I wore trousers (which is true!). Maybe this was his way of interpreting what he saw as a then 4 year old. Perhaps that was the colour of his world. But then when he started kindergarten, that all changed - the sky had to be blue, and I had to be wearing a dress, and so all his pictures came back as though someone had imposed their narratives on the drawing.  And, of course, my child's interpretation of the world had to be the same as everyone else's.

But, it doesn't have to be like that.  Those so called boundaries don't have to exist when it comes to home crafts. Let them go wild!  When it comes to upcycled crafts at home, my son would help me now and then (even with the sewing!). Here he is helping out with the panda costume. He would sometimes say, "Maybe we can do it this way?", and why not? 

Upcycling is a great way for kids to be creative

Which leads me to the garment repair workshop at the Singapore Mini Maker Faire with Sustainable Living Lab.  Our intention was to teach the community how to repair garments. We had a really good response, and most of the kids ended up with patching up holes that were enlarged into hearts.  Then one girl asked whether she could make a headband / fascinator or a necklace from her swatch - well,  we could have said, "No, this is a garment repair station, we don't make those things here", but no one said that a mended garment couldn't become something else later! So, one by one, the girls made one, and they all had fun in the process. 

Upcycled Jeans Fascinator!

A similar thing also happened during my upcycling workshop at a primary school (I'll blog about that soon!).  We were making bags from fused plastic bags, when a group of girls asked whether they could come up with their own design for the bag.  Why not? As long as they could finish in time. They came up with a design different from everyone else's.  Here it is:

I like it when kids, with their creativity, can unknowingly challenge the norms that adults are so used to. Sometimes, you have to try it out their way, and see how it goes!

Upcycling is a great opportunity for kids to get creative. I always tell the kids that as long as you have the right tools and understand the properties of the materials, you can create absolutely anything.  Here's an example I found featured in the local kids' magazine, Xobon (that's "no box" spelt backwards, because we want kids to think out of the box!).  The Magbilang sisters learnt how to make sock dolls from old socks, but once they learnt the basic skills, they got creative and designed their own dolls, and even ended up making clothes for them!  Check out the pictures, and if you want to see more, you can subscribe to the Xobon magazine.

Do your kids sometimes challenge the norms when it comes to making things?

Do you find your kids thinking "out of the box" when they get creative?

Courtesy of Xobon

Courtesy of Xobon

Tried & Tested: Fabric Colour Pens

One way of adding a new look to your clothes is to add some colour. I have been using fabric colour pens to enhance the colour of an old jersey skirt. It's doing some wonders .... but I'll update you all in another tutorial! Before I go any further with this post.... this is NOT a sponsored post!

Fabric colour pens are great especially when you can combine them with any sort of sewing project. Here are some tips:

a) Enhance a t-shirt with some colour. May I add that you could get a lovely design together with some bleach dye too. Note: careful with the bleach though.

b) Add some pizazz to a pair of canvas shoes

c) Create your own design on a cotton tote bag or pencil case

Sharpies vs. ZIG

So, which ones have I tried? I've tried both Sharpie and ZIG. You can buy Sharpies at both Popular and Art Friend, and while I could only find ZIG at Art Friend, I found a lot more colours to choose from. If you are members of these stores, you get an additional 10%. 

The TEST!

I tested out the two pens on two separate swatches of cotton fabric:

a) No Heat Fix - Sharpie and ZIG
b) Heat Fix - ZIG only

Only ZIG states that you need heat fixing. 

After waiting for 4 hours, I then separately dunked the fabrics in cold water and mild soap for about 30 minutes.  I'm not sure why I waited... hmmm... maybe the results would have been different?

Results

I didn't see any bleeding and the ink did not even run during the soak!  What's more surprising is that even the ZIG that wasn't heat fixed did not run or bleed!

Sharpie plus points:

1. I liked the brush tip and that the plastic casing was see through - it's always good to know when you need to buy a new one!
2. The barrel of the pen is thick which makes it easier for the little ones in terms of grip .
3. The cap has a clip-on which allows you to clip it onto anything - useful when you don't have a pocket.

Sharpie minus points:

1. I did feel the Sharpie was messier than the ZIG.  The Sharpie leaked a bit and some of the colour went onto the barrel of the pen. Not good when you want to prevent messy fingers and wanting to keep your work surface clean!

ZIG plus points:

1. Brush and bullet tip in one pen!
2. The brush pen felt easier to write than the Sharpie (my view!)
3. I didn't have to heat fix even though it said you had to - note, I did wait a few hours before washing it though so the results may have been different had I washed the non-heat fixed ZIG swatch immediately.

ZIG minus points:

1. No clip on cap
2. Caps fall off easily if you cap them on the other end while using the pen, so watch out if you just leave them on the table .....roll.... roll...roll... gone missing!

Verdict

I prefer ZIG, but I think that's because it has a wider range of colours available here in Singapore (Art Friend) and also because it has the brush and bullet point together on one pen! What about you? Which do you prefer? Do you recommend other brands?

Note: This is not a sponsored post.

3 Ways to Nurture Creativity & Eco-friendliness in Kids

There has been this on-going discussion in Singapore on why we do not see as many successful entrepreneurs or inventors as compared to the West. The fact is, creativity is seen as one of life's necessary skills. Education experts are saying that we should start nurturing the next generation from very young, get them to be creative and reduce rigidity and rote learning - for readers who live outside Asia, rote learning is a very common characteristic of the Asian schooling system. Previously it was thought that you needed to teach creativity to kids, but  "all students can think well and be creative"  - you just need to nurture it!  Here are three ways to get them creative and learn about the environment at the same time:

Lost your creativity?

One of my favourite books!

Get it back! Well, I don't think you can lose your creativity, it's like riding a bicycle - once you have it it won't go away but maybe it's moments when your mind goes blank and you can't really think of what to make.  Maybe you have fallen out of practice?  I have been feeling like this for the past few months with my refashioning. I usually tell my workshop participants that I find inspiration from my wardrobe and window shopping, but lately.... blank.... It feels like my brain has been emptied and sapped of energy.  Over the past month, I have realised there are creativity killers and creativity boosters.  Here are the things that I have experienced. Do you have any tips on boosting your creativity when it comes to getting crafty? Share them here :-)