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I spent the last two years going through a divorce, a move, and finishing my bachelor's degree, so I've done little to no stamping at all. I can't seem to find my mojo and feel like I'm so behind with the times. Any suggestions on how I get started back into it? A lot of my stuff is still packed away, and I'd really like to get it out and get stamping again....it used to be my happy place.
The ability to get my feelings out in a creative way thru art journaling really helped me get my creative juices flowing again.
Getting out a few of your favorites may very well help too. I want do a major clean, get rid of and reorganize to my room but can't right now so I tackled a few minor changes last week. Suddenly all I want to do is hang out in my craft room, surprising how little things can make all the difference.
I hear you! I've moved twice in as many months (the second one was totally unexpected/unwelcome, but has turned out to be a blessing). I'm still tweaking the new space so it will be more welcoming and mojo-inducing. So far, not so much, but I figured out one of the main issues this weekend and have started the remedy. I remain hopeful! Meanwhile, Lydia and Stacy both gave you some good advice, welcome back, and good luck!
Welcome back, Julie!! Sounds like you're a survivor indeed, but I'm sending mega-{{{hugs}}} from Texas and wish you the very best!
What works for one may or may not work at all for another ... but having just worked a stamp trade show for the past 3 days, I can tell you that just being in the presence of so many samples & make-n-takes has me itching to get to the studio! While we can't always find a stampy show to attend, fun alternatives that might help could include:
Explore new-to-you websites
Watch a few videos - Remember to view a few new-to-you peeps who might present a slightly different approach to spur your interest. It's easy to get stagnant by watching the same 2 or 3, limiting inspiration.
Visit a scrapbook store -- if you're fortunate enough to come across one. The best one in my area is an hour & 15 mins. away on a low-traffic time ... but I get out there once a year if possible.
Google Hangout or FaceTime with a stampy friend or 3 or 4! Stamp while you chat & show each other what you're doing ... just so much fun!
Play along in a sketch challenge, or our CAS or Color Challenge ... or any of the others to whet your whistle .... then of course, come share your works here at SCS!
Rejoin the RAK group here, update your addy, etc. -- You just never know what will surprise you at any time! ;)
You've gotten some good advice so far. I went through a similar situation where life got in the way and I stopped crafting for almost a year. All my stuff got packed up then a small leak in the storage area got me off my feet because I realized it's all too precious to be sitting in a box. I added drawers to my storage system and got to organizing my supplies and that did it for me. Knowing what you have is the first step to exploring new techniques as well as re-awakening your talent and love for the craft. Maybe enter some challenges in the process. And as long as you do it for fun, and not make it seem like a chore, you'll find your mojo.
Thanks so much for all of the wonderful advice and the well wishes. Hopefully, I can find time this week to play around in one of the challenges here at SCS.
Welcome back, Julie! I am sorry to hear about your divorce.
Lydia mentioned the Virtual Stamp Night coming in late March (there is a Mini VSN on February 23). I highly recommend that event for getting your mojo to return. VSNs are fun, the challenges are creative, and there are lots of friendly people participating that you can chat with along the way.
When I lose my mojo, I turn to CASEing (Copy and Share Everything). I will search by stamp set here on SCS, favorite a few projects, then recreate them. Sometimes I make it exactly as the original artist and other times I have to improvise with what I have. Either way, it is fun and can kick start something in me.
When all else fails, just hang out here and chat with other fellow stampers!
Hi Julie, here is a guaranteed way to get your mojo back. You should CASE this gorgeous card exactly...same colours, same everything! This beautiful card had 1973 views, 28 favourites. Guess who had it?
Tim Holtz was asked about this in a webinar I watched and he said that when he felt like he was out of ideas or had no mojo, he went into his studio and just did something. He did not go into it with the idea of making a project, he would simply tell himself he was going to do one thing - maybe make a BG, or stamp out some images to color later, or color in an image, anything. He said sometimes he would get inspired by what he was doing and take things further, but sometimes all he would do would be to do that one thing and then put it away. Best case scenario - you make something, or start something you see a direction for. Worst case scenario - you end up with a lot of elements you can use up the line. It was helpful for me to hear. I get low-mojo syndrome a lot. Unlike some people, who find crafting relieves stress, I find when I'm stressed my brain often just shuts down and I can't think creatively.
__________________ I have come to the conclusion that buying craft supplies and actually using them are two separate hobbies. RachelRose Designs by Robin... GALLERY
You've been through so many big changes, it would be amazing for you to have the physical or mental or creative energy to do anything except rest, watch tv, read or whatever your no-energy activities are. Please be proud of what you've accomplished and what you've gone through. And wishing you had mojo is a positive step.
Ditto what Robin said that Tim said, and I add permission to do anything in my office/craft room - organizing, looking through paper, smooshing watercolors or dripping alcohol ink, anything with any or no purpose. And I only have to stay10 minutes. The one requirement is derri�re in the chair.
(When I've been doing large-scale organizing/purging, the requirement is 5 minutes, with a timer. Since starting is toughest, staying longer is the norm, but 5 minutes equals success.)
Hi Julie, here is a guaranteed way to get your mojo back. You should CASE this gorgeous card exactly...same colours, same everything! This beautiful card had 1973 views, 28 favourites. Guess who had it?
Hmmmm "Guess who HAD it" should read Guess who MADE it. I need to check auto correct more LOL. Julie your gallery is beautiful, full of amazing cards and wonderful comments. I hope you make some 'me' time and sit down and randomly read some of the lovely things written.
__________________ Susie
Please don't take your organs to heaven - heaven knows we need them here.
Tim Holz stole my idea. I enjoy just putzing with some stamps, when I'm stuck. Sometimes I want to try to come up with my version of some design (recently Blue Onion) to see if I can, or see how some stamps work together, or see what happens if I do this or that with this stamp, or try to figure out 5 different ways I might use one stamp I like. I might not approach a project when I do this, but it gets my brain going, and later I can use what I learned from the experiments.
Totally agree with Rachelrose and Tim Holtz and, in fact, my response was going to be exactly that even before I read Rachelrose's comments - just START! You have to get past that "lost" feeling and the only way to do that is to start doing something. Take on something small and work from there. Action is the only way out of inaction.
Totally agree with Rachelrose and Tim Holtz and, in fact, my response was going to be exactly that even before I read Rachelrose's comments - just START! You have to get past that "lost" feeling and the only way to do that is to start doing something. Take on something small and work from there. Action is the only way out of inaction.
Oh, this is so true of several things in my life, not just stamping. It is why I don't let myself procrastinate. A SU demo (Sam Hammond), when asked how she got so much done, said she never thinks about whether she wants to do something. If it needs done, she just does it. Great advice.
I've never had to go through all you have, Julie: not surprised you're finding it difficult to pick up the threads. Have you got a samples book of your stamps? I only recently decided that I really needed one, as I'm always wanting a sentiment, or a flower, or whatever, and really don't know what's in my stash. I sat down with a load of paper, an ink pad and plenty of baby-wipes and went through my whole stamp collection, drawer by drawer. Not only do I have a printed (or, rather, inked) record of every stamp I have, I reconnected with a lot of stamps I'd forgotten were there and a number of them gave me ideas for new projects. Maybe that would work for you or, if not, at least you'd have a record of your stamps.
I haven't read all of the above comments, so maybe someone mentioned this.... But, if you have been out of the scene of stamping for awhile, you probably don't have some of the latest in tools? I think splurging on a Misti or some other tool that catches your eye is an incentive to begin stamping again! ;) You think?
I use this site and Pinterest to pin to my Pinterest boards. I often add a hint in the edit section as to why I pinned this. "Note to self to combine balloons with any animal stamp." "Good way to use small stamps." "Reminder to get out the dp." Then when my mojo is missing, I go to a board and get a fresh look at a pinned idea.
My thoughts are with you Julie. It's very difficult when we encounter life changes. I looks like you have confronted those changes head on and are ready to start the next chapter of your life. You will find your Mojo, just be open to the direction it takes you. You may find new ideas and creations to pursue.
Welcome back! Major life changes can really send you into a whirlwind, and then you are reeling. Baby steps my friend, tiny baby steps. Maybe sit down with a favorite stamp or set, and just ponder colors. I often come to the SPL gallery for inspiration, and not just for card making, but for a spirit lift. Bless you, and take care.
Susie.....what a sweet and wonderful idea to take Julie to one of her own cards. Julie.....I hope that works for you. I like Rachelrose's sharing of Tim Holtz's idea. Just go and do something. Anything. With any luck it will grab you and get back into it. Here's what I do: I go shopping!!!! You'll come home with new stuff that you'll be itching to use! Welcome back and good luck.
__________________
Jo
Proud Fan Club Member
...sure it�s got a catchy beat, but can you stamp to it?
life is something that happens only when you run out of cardstock
Oh, this is so true of several things in my life, not just stamping. It is why I don't let myself procrastinate. A SU demo (Sam Hammond), when asked how she got so much done, said she never thinks about whether she wants to do something. If it needs done, she just does it. Great advice.
Agree. Derri�re in chair approach. Same for writers.
I often lose mojo. In fact I rarely have it. Sometimes I lose it when there are too many options, things to play with. Overwhelmness. That's going on now so besides dripping alcohol inks on Wapo and futzing with organizing, I registered for a class. Let someone else tell me what to do. Well, two classes, so now I have to choose. : )
TexasGrammy said, "What works for one may or may not work at all for another." Yes! Otherwise, already feeling bad about lack of mojo, it could be easy to slide down this rabbit hole: Since others get mojo back by doing A, B or C, and those don't work or the idea of trying them doesn't resonate, clearly I'm a mess.
It's okay to [briefly] miss how productive we were at one time, but now is a different time, and there are logical reasons for how we feel. So maybe trying something new will work, but it's fine if it doesn't. So is catching up on guilty pleasure tv shows or reading mysteries while letting creativity percolate, and most of all not beating ourselves up.
I haven't read all of the above comments, so maybe someone mentioned this.... But, if you have been out of the scene of stamping for awhile, you probably don't have some of the latest in tools? I think splurging on a Misti or some other tool that catches your eye is an incentive to begin stamping again! ;) You think?
Treat yourself to one new stamp set - a pretty floral to color in, a snarky fun pun set, cute animals, something to make you smile and enjoy. Just stamp and color, no project intended. Go from there. Bet the time will fly by...and you will be smiling.
Joni
__________________ The future is uncertain, because love changes everything!
Well shoot, the image is still pending approval...can you post it here? Can't wait to see what you did! I'm glad you are feeling some creativity come back into your life!!
__________________ The future is uncertain, because love changes everything!
That’s lovely! So crisp and bright! I like the sequins, they add a bit of sparkle. And doesn’t it feel grand I’m so glad you had such a great time creating. Thanks for sharing your journey back.
I was going to suggest just coloring in a book while you watch tv...some of them translate to be BGs later, but just to get a pen, pencil or brush in your hand in a way it doesn't matter. Make color!
But you beat me to it and you are off and running! Yay!
Help With MOJO!!!
