When you get an idea for something to make or do,,
do you have a picture in your head of what you want it to look like? Copy something from an idea photo, or tweek somethig you have done before or make changes from a photo you have in an idea file?
Then you go to get the supplies you will need-then can't find what you need -or if you get everything and start creating-and then the whole thinbg doesn't turn out like the picture in your head, or the photo in your file--
Frustrating right???

Saw these perfect little wood letters at Hobby Lobby-then came home and started cleaning out boxes of Christmas stuff-the light bulb came on-got this idea-using those letters, some burlap, twine, etc. Went back to HL to get the letters--and all the letter "E"'s were gone..Got another idea-so bought letters for dfferent word-anyhow after the third failure have created some thing quite different than what I started out doing.

Sounds normal to me!

Been there done that, too.

Me too, we don't realize the impact of the 'idea' starter till much later. Too bad, usually by the time I think of what to do with something I saw at a thrift store, I am already home! LOL
I call, item is gone. That means it was a GOOD idea for someone else to pick it up right away!
No harm done, I just move onto the next idea!

I think what you are describing is called creative experimentation. It is a creative process, so bound to have an unpredictable end result, but that is the fun and the thrill of coming up with ideas!

And by the way, erase "failure" from your vocabulary, and replace it with the word "try". "First I tried this", "then I tried that."

Of course we all fail sometimes, but I like to think of a phrase like "one result", or "this is one version", "this could be a pre-prototype", or "I think this idea needs more development", instead of saying "these attempts were failures".

The creative process is actually a lot of work, and if you are worried about "failing at a task", then you might stifle the flow of experimental creative thinking that can lead, eventually, to something really great!

Just sayin".

Well said cocok!
There is NO failure in creative thinking! It sure exercises the brain! and I think it is FUN!

I think most of us are inspired by everyday things we encounter... even subliminally. At least we artsy folks do as we often play with possibilities in our minds eye. The less artistic folks don't usually know it, but they too retain visual inspiration that may resurface when they least expect it. I often encourage all here to study everyday/common things they encounter and reinvent and contemplate the possibilities. I typically have an idea/vision of what I'd like to create. The idea generally comes quite quickly for me tho I may tweak it as I go. I absolutely do everything in my power to put my personal spin on things vs. copying exactly. Tho creating something truly unique is often challenging and shortlived, it's fun to attempt to do so nonetheless. As in most things in life, it's very rare to have a vision that's not already been done before...either currently or long ago. I especially love turning the everyday, cookie cutter things into something totally different and often unrecognizable. I find it fun to breath new life into tired things often reinventing their initial purpose. It's fun to create things so different that people are puzzled by their origins. The important thing is to play with the potential in things and allow this thought process to evolve. They/we may make mistakes, but will learn and grow from them. When self satisfaction and/or compliments start coming their way, they will gain confidence to play/create once more and enjoy their vision reach fruition.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Froo Froo,

quote:

Originally posted by homebody4:
When you get an idea for something to make or do, do you have a picture in your head of what you want it to look like? Copy something from an idea photo, or tweek something you have done before or make changes from a photo you have in an idea file?

Yes, any/all of the above. However, since I seldom seem able to follow instructions or a recipe exactly I consider it a guideline and don't expect it to turn out exactly the same. I've learned to deal with the "less-than-successful" results quickly and either redo (as in fiber arts) or remove it from my house either by giving away or throwing away. Those creative things I consider a success are treasured or given away or sold happily.

When you become discouraged remember Edison who attempted hundreds of times to create a working lightbulb.