If you are involved in the craft or creative sector, either as a hobby or as a profession, it is possible that at some point you have had a “block”. It’s totally normal, it happens to us too. It can happen on any day, at any time of the year or in the least expected phase of work. Sometimes, the lack of inspiration is a symptom that we have been doing the same things for a long time and we have stopped training our most creative or innovative side. How to solve this problem?
Looking for inspiration in times of blockage
Practically everything around us can be inspiring: the landscape you see from the window, an article in a magazine, a conversation with an acquaintance -or a stranger-, an Instagram post,…. The key is to change the perspective to find an emotional connection, something that triggers a reaction. Here are some resources that can help you find that spark:
Online sources of inspiration
Sites such as Pinterest, Instagram, Etsy, Behance, blogs, podcasts, magazines, image galleries, videos, films, documentaries… The Internet can quickly help you find ideas to start working on without leaving home.
Offline sources
Books, newspapers, markets, fairs, interviews, shops, galleries, museums, art centres, a café, a theatre… are other places where you can make up for a lack of inspiration, connect with other ideas and discover new trends or approaches.
Sketchbooks
Draw what you like. Maybe you are looking for ideas to shape a new claw and end up finding new enamel designs. Don’t limit your spontaneity, you don’t need to have a great mastery of drawing. On the sketches you make, you will be able to visualize the final result, the elaboration process, details of the decoration, shapes, sizes… Many ideas often come in the most unexpected places, that’s why we recommend you to always carry a small notebook with you where you can make notes or drawings.
Research work
If you have some time, do some research on the subject. Collect photos, news, look for references about that technique or product, how it has evolved over the years, what the market usually asks for, what materials it is made of, what size it is usually sold in, in which countries there is more demand, from which area it came from,…. You will be nourished with valuable information that will allow you to connect with your work on a much more personal level, as well as discovering techniques that you may not have known about.
Start shaping it
All projects – even the best ones – started simply with a word, a stroke or a first shape. Starting with a basic first step can break the blockage – and the fear – of blank paper. As you go along, and perhaps without having a very clear idea of what you want to do, you will see that you will already be developing something new, which you can then redirect and adjust according to your needs.
Perseverance fuels ingenuity
Lack of inspiration can take up more of your time than you expected. In some cases, it can even stop your production – and your source of income. This is why it is important to understand that lack of inspiration is something that can be trained. No one is born a genius or a master of a subject. Most of the time it is the result of hours of dedication, of designing, erasing and redesigning ideas; of testing and starting again. Learning to master a technique involves trial and error, but from these mistakes can also come opportunities. Methodology and spontaneity are a necessary pairing in craftsmanship.
Disconnect
Our final piece of advice is that if you find yourself caught up in a project and it’s sucking you in, put it on pause. Break through the obfuscation and go for a walk, a bike ride or a trip. Oxygenate your brain cells and break the routine. You will get more time for yourself and the opportunity to discover and get to know new perspectives, emotions and challenges.
We hope we have helped you to find ways to overcome the lack of inspiration. And if you are also involved in the craft or artistic world, we would love to read about other ideas or methods you use to break the creative block 😉
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