After I had my baby back in October I went through a bit of a creative slump. Even after the exhaustion and fatigue faded into a mild haze, I just couldn’t think up anything good to make, let alone blog about.
If you have ever had a case of blogger’s block, you know how frustrating it is. I think that it is particularly hard on craft bloggers who need to come up with a fun/unique/simple/creative project, DO IT, photograph it, and then blog about it. Sheesh. It’s impressive that so many of us do it at all!
I will spend a few Mad Writing Skills posts on places I have found inspiration and motivation when my creative river is all dammed up.
THE CRAFT STORE
If you are craft blogger, you know the joy of having a spare afternoon to aimlessly roam around a craft store. I love to weave my cart up and down the aisles soaking in the colors and textures, the raw materials, the fancy equipment, the glitter.
Many of my AHA! project ideas sprang into my mind fully-formed as I walked down the aisles of Michael’s.
I grabbed up the scrapbook paper for my Scrapbook Paper Headboard from the huge selection at Michael’s. I slapped the pieces onto some cheap linoleum tiles and nailed them to the wall. The idea went from spark to completed project in under 5 hours!
If you are an avid MiC reader, you know how much I love a good $1 bargain. I spied a few rolls of the striped ribbon in the dollar bins at Michael’s and grabbed them up, not knowing what I would do with them. During the drive home I concocted a quick front door wreath idea (While being an extremely safe driver, of course. Hi, Mom!), and whipped it up immediately after I got home.
I knew I wanted to mimic My Frugal Family’s Grandin Road knock-off for my son’s playroom, but I wasn’t sure how I was going to go about it.
On my craft store run, I mustered up the courage to buy my first bottle of Mod Podge with a 40% coupon (because it’s slightly pricey for my cheap tastes). Instead of hemming and hawing over how to accomplish the project, I was able to get right to it and make some fun kid-friendly wall art!
What are your tips for breaking a creative slump?
PRACTICAL WAYS TO FIND INSPIRATION AT THE CRAFT STORE:1. Purchase two random $1 items. Bring them home and brainstorm a project that uses them both.2. Venture down an aisle dedicated to a craft you DON’T know how to do. Just looking at new materials might spark an idea. Or a new hobby!3. Do what you tell your kids not to. Touch things. Feel the yarn, hold a paintbrush, gather a different floral stems together. You craft with your hands, why wouldn’t you shop with them?4. Bring a coupon (or check my sidebar for a current one)! If you print out a high value coupon, you can just about halve the cost of your purchase. You might be able to afford a new craft supply that will unlock a new realm of creativity.
Do you have any blog writing questions?
Comment here or on my facebook page, tweet me or send me an email with any and all questions you have. I will answer as best as I can, and, if I don’t know it myself, I will do the research for you!
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