find my creative niche

I have made a couple of cross stitch bookmarks, and am now working on a kit I bought. But otherwise, my creativity is still pretty low. Sadly there’s not a lot I can do about that until I a. Am earning money and b. Have a sewing machine.

...I have a few ideas of things I can make AND probably sell, because I have been doing my research, and there don’t seem to be many people already making what I have in mind. I won’t spill the beans yet, as it’s definitely not going to be happening for a while. All I will say is that what I have in mind is a field I know a lot about – it having been my profession until recently. And for testing, I have a lot of friends I know who would definitely appreciate freebies for feedback :)

I will be continuing projects I have already started (and have all the materials for), but after that, I don’t know, because I still don’t have a job. And I can’t buy more materials/paints/threads, etc. with a free conscience, until the future is a little more certain.

Over the next year I have a couple of projects to try, as I plan on making some things for Christmas presents for family and friends this year. I know what you’re thinking, ‘Christmas 2009?? Already?’, but I’m going to pace myself, so I don’t feel pressured. I can take my time to make things exactly the way I want. Hopefully doing some varied projects will help me find out what I most enjoy making, and what I’m best at :)

A. Make something unique and attractive.
B. Make something to a high standard.
C. Make something not too expensive.
D. Make something seem a necessity.

I think these are the main points. Because I think of how I look at items also. I buy things that are new and exciting to me, that look like they could be sold in a store, aren’t going to break the bank, and will be used enough to warrant their price. Now, to find what it is I can make like that… I’ll get back to you.

I love crafting, and I would love to find something I can create that others would enjoy. I am interested in making jewellery, but lots of people already do that. I would also love to continue making quilts, but they are an expensive hobby, and if you’re goal is to sell them, it’s hard to find people who will pay what they are actually worth. I will keep trying and exploring. The goal is one day to maybe open an Etsy shop, that’d be very cool.

Dunno what I’m going to do with it, but I had fun making it… The photo sticker’s arent working on the older photos, so if anyone has a better idea of how to keep old photographs on a board like this, your kindness will not be unappreciated.

I tried drawing. I can copy well, but I have no inspiration/talent to succeed in drawing original subjects.

I tried music. My voice is weak, my poetry weaker, and my composition skills feeble.

I tried writing. I haven’t found my way to write yet. I can do research and formal writing all right. But informal, creative? It hasn’t come to me yet. See drawing/inspiration.

I tried collage. I can do that.

Cutting up things and placing them together in a pleasing way is oddly satisfying. I like it. I’ve decorated notebooks, and I want to decorate a poster backing I’ve had for years. Fall break, I’m doing that.

I’ll continue to explore, I’d like to try my hand at stream of consciousness writing, kind of like Jack Kerouac. I haven’t tried sewing yet, either. This goal fills me with glee