inspiRation springboards: my cReative pRocess

I've had lots of questions lately about HOW I get inspired when I design my collections & kits...so, I thought I'd share how my creative process started with my Spring Circus collection. 

Step 1. EXERCISE. Yes. you got it...your Creative muscles need exercising EVERYDAY! So, I *always* use my 100 Creativity Exercises. I know I talk about it A LOT...but., I can't emphasize the importance enough...it's critical for me getting new ideas.

Step. 2. LOOK.  After I've exercised, I am always on the lookout for what I'm drawn to...what inspires me. I take inspiration trips to stores, boutiques, Pinterest, my mags/books, & I've even been known to get inspiration from random things like: taking the garbage out! LOL!

Step. 3. GATHER.  I start to gather inspiration pieces...I put them together to create a 'moodboard'...color swatches, magazine rip-outs, typography, etc.  Yes, this is also called an 'inspiration board' & this is essentially the idea behind the widely popular Pinterest...you 'pin' your ideas & inspiration on a board to get inspired! Brilliant to have it online...i LOVE my Pinterest boards, but I also MUST have the ideas on my actual inspiration board in my studio.  

Step. 4. CREATE. This is where I actually sit down & the whole process comes together. I've got the whole collection already in my mind...this is the time to execute it & put it into actual digital art.  Between Photoshop, Illustrator, my own drawings/art/collected ephemera & vintage ephemera from Dover books & CDs or my friend, Karen's Graphics Fairy vintage art, etc....it all comes together.  

Each step is equally important & I can't jump from one to another or SKIP any step...I need to do them in this particular order...this is how I work..I'm sure other designers & artists have their own little formula, but THIS process is what I've been doing for the past 14 1/2 years...since I've been designing greeting cards & gift bags, then onto scrapbook products & now digital art...I've finally found that THIS is my favorite...I can do it on my own timeline...when I want to, when my family schedule permits...& its' always there on our site to uplift & inspire people!

oh, how pinteResting!

ok...so I'm a little addicted right now to this.

For years, I've gathered clippings,  magazine pages, tear sheets, or printed out things I'd found on the internet for my Style File. *this is a huuuge part of planning for an event or deadline for me...I *need* visual stimulation!*

So, when I found online Pinterest, I embraced it! I just LOVE the fact that we can share...with the proper credit...& 'pin' our inspiration up on our boards. Sharing is Caring! & this is brilliant!

For instance..when I found this line of chalkboard coolness, I wanted to share it on my Pin board so I wouldn't forget the absolute & utter deliciousness! 

*paper+cup*

Come on over & follow my boards & I'll follow yours!

it'll be a Pin Party!

**eta: I've already had a bunch of questions about how to do it. 
1. sign up. you will get an invite.**but, lookie here!  Thanks for the heads up, Heather. HERE is an instant invite to Pinterest!**
2. be sure to get the PIN IT bookmarklet. it makes it easy to pin any image from anywhere. 
3. organized your boards. name them. etc.
4. fill them up & enjoy!

restyle. twenty eleven. DIY Inspiration Board.

 

 I love this. 

I plan on a LOT of restyling this year. rearranging. remaking. reshaping. anything & everything!  love this whole concept.

 I've had these fabulous *old skool*map drawers in my studio for several years now. They are a great height for me, since I like standing as I create. And Jeff topped them with custom stainless steel surfaces so they are basically indestructible. 

*my kind' o work table.*

I've had them up against my long wall with my huge magnet inspiration board above it.  For the web show on Wednesday night, Jeff pushed the tables out from the wall so Heidi & I could stand behind them...perfect!  

So, after our show when Jeff & I were moving back these work tables I thought: *Wait! I want to restyle: rearrange in a new shape. Jeff is so patient with me. *love that man* 

a few grunts, pushes, & voila!

i love them face to face like this! just something new. something fun. something to refresh my studio space. 

Yes, I'll most likely get sick of this & restyle it again. But, for now, I'm liking it!

So, after the show, I had so many people asking about my huge inspiration board on the wall...where did I get it?

Well...it's completely DIY! I had this space & knew I wanted a long inspiration board..I couldn't find anything. So, I designed one to my specs & had my assistant *she's remarkable* create this out of:

galvanized metal sheets (2)

wood made into a frame

painted plain white

& we hung it up! It was perfectly blank! So, I added some of my fave damask packing tape to the plain wood frame & even down the seam of the galvanized metal. I loved the look. A little sass with enough space to put up all of my inspiration!

 

For the show, I took everything down & we just had all of the pages from the 2011 Remarkable kits. I framed 2 of my faves in my vintage frames, hung them from the upper shelf &....it was perfect!

so, there you have it!

some fun *restyling* to spice up your life...

happy weekend!