Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

I get very inspired when I travel.  I take in sights and sounds that are different from home and I think that makes your mind open up to creativity.  But one’s brain can’t really remember all it takes in each day so I use a few different tools to help remind me of all the exciting things I see and experience.

The first is a digital camera.  I take photos of all kinds of things from people to plants to signs to store fronts.  Some are candid and close up.  Others abstract.  I try to see shapes and colors.  Digital is wonderful since you can see right away if you got the shot you wanted and you can delete any that just don’t make the grade.  I’ve also learned to use the “video” mode of my point and shoot camera.  Sometimes motion and sound are important elements of the idea or emotion I’m trying to capture.  Nature is probably what I take most of my photos and video of since I learn so much from Mother Nature’s color sense!

The second is a notebook or journal.  Sometimes I make a special journal for a travel destination while other times I just use my handy purse notebook, but I’m never without paper and pen!  I doodle, sketch, draw, and write down things that catch my attention.  So many things happen and I know I’ll never remember half of what I see!

The third tool isn’t really a tool, but more a purchase!  If I see something I think is unique I invest in the artist or craftsperson who made the item.  I do not ever directly copy another person’s work since I respect copyright laws, but often one artist’s interpretation inspired my own abilities.  On my last trip I fell in love with an ankle bracelet and matching earrings.  I loved the medium- glass.  I loved the technique- etching or aging the glass to look like sea glass (glass tossed by the ocean and etched).  I loved the motif- fish. And most of all I loved the color combinations.  I want to try cutting my own pieces of glass and using a rock tumbler to get that sea glass feel and also see how cream etching will turn out since it’s a faster method.

This set was available in several colors (blue, clear, rose), but I just loved the green.