Hello again and welcome back! The past while I’ve been thinking about what I can do on those days I don’t feel like making jewelry. Or, those days where it feels like I’ve got a wrapping block, and the creativity just won’t flow. I’m sure you have experienced those times, too.
So, come along, and I’ll share some of my thoughts and tips to break through the ‘slow’ days. There’s no such thing as a bad day—some days are just slower than others.
In and Around the Workspace
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A slow day in the workspace doesn’t mean you have to forget about making progress! There are so many things I keep myself busy with when I feel the inspiration fairy is not playing nice.
Here are some examples:
1. I clean my workspace. All my tools are laid out on my work desk, the stones, everything. My little hand-held broom is perfect for sweeping the surfaces clean. Afterward, I go over with a handheld vacuum cleaner to ensure everything is spick and span.
2. After a thorough cleaning session, I reorganize my workspace to ensure that I have an efficient flow when I sit down to work again. I like to arrange my stones according to their color gradient from light to dark. Like wires go with their friends. Pliers, cutters, clamps, and so forth are organized from small to large.
3. I check my polishes, take out the polishing cloths, and soak them overnight in hot water with some bleach (remember to rinse them properly in the morning!) to ensure they’re clean and ready to create a high shine.
4. Do a mini stock-take? Make an inventory of stones you’re running low on or check which ones you can swap out with other artists. I like to ensure that I’ve got everything I need when the inspiration suddenly strikes.
5. Last, I check my tools. What needs to be replaced soon or which ones need sharpening? I clean my pliers and cutters. Check my chemicals to ensure they haven’t expired. Maintaining your tools is an excellent way to take stock of what you’ve got and what you would like to buy in the future.
I’m sure you can think of other tasks you can carry out when you clean and organize your workspace. Make a list and tick them off as you think of them or finish them.
Get Out of Your Head and House
I cannot stress enough how important fresh air and light exercise are. Here are some things I plan and do on slow days:
1. A visit to my favorite craft store(s) is always a great way to find new inspiration, interact with other crafters, and see what’s new on the market. I like to take it slow and browse through their collections—there’s no haste or obligation to buy something.
2. Visiting a craft market in a town or a neighboring town can lead to a renewed sense of purpose. I get to see interesting and new designs, pick up ideas I’ve never thought of before, and I can exchange ideas with fellow crafters.
3. Just taking a walk through the neighborhood and looking at the colors around you can also spark new ideas. Nature has a way of combining colors in ways we would never think of. Let the great outdoors help you get through a slow day.
Have a Networking Day
Engaging with other artists is a good way to find inspiration and get new ideas. But, stealing another person’s work is not good, so don’t do it. If you like a design, ask the artist if they’d be willing to share it with you. Don’t sulk if they say no—this is still their livelihood.
You can also host, or attend, a ‘wrapping party’ like Elizabeth and Laura Bracken did. They tried out different types of patinas when they held their own ‘Patina Party’. Host a fellow (or a few fellow) artists and just take it easy. Making wire-wrap jewelry can be quite lonesome I’ve found and that’s why I seek out other artists in my area.
You don’t have to go all out and make a big deal out of it. Just go with the flow and enjoy the connection.
A networking day is the perfect time to learn about other techniques, and approaches to making jewelry, learning about different approaches to wire-wrapping… the list goes on!
Back to the Drawing Board
On my slow days, I like to look at my old designs and see where I can improve or which ones I should redesign. Here are some other tips to help you through your slow days:
1. Sketch some new designs freehand or use computer design software. I like to take my sketchbook and just draw whatever comes to mind.
2. Sometimes I take my old pieces out and give them a polish. Put them on a new background, play around with lighting, and take new photos for my website.
3. I go online and engage with my followers, post new pics, and just enjoy the web.
4. You can write a new blog post about a technique you’ve discovered or get on top of an older post you’ve been holding back in your drafts. Look it over, edit if necessary, and send it into the internet universe. An active website where you apply some changes like new posts, updated photos, and pricing can do wonders for your mental well-being.
5. Check out your competition and learn from them. What can I do differently? What are they doing right now? Is there a gap in the market I can address with my unique designs? Market research is as important as designing and creating new products.
6. Experimentation is high on my list of favorite activities at the workbench. On slow days I have the freedom to watch a video or read a blog about a technique I haven’t tried before. My slow days are as important as my busy days because it allows me to learn new things and expand my skill set.
Wrapping Up
I hope these tips will help you through your next slow day. Think about what you can do to fill the slow days to make the busy days flow better. Remember, you don’t always have to be busy making things to be productive. Slow days are a blessing because then we can focus on other aspects of our art.
Until next time, happy wrapping!