Welcome, Shelley! Great idea to clean up your work area when you’re in a creative funk. I think a newly cleared out workspace can be inspiring and invite new ideas to get started. I feel much more creative when I have space for working on a new design without having to fend off an avalanche of stuff from previous projects. And I love your idea for pinning your inspirations on a cork board! Sometimes I also use my phone to take quick photos of component groupings that inspire me. I also have a jewelry journal for sketching and jotting notes for design ideas.

These comments may sound a bit off the wall, but what have you got to lose?

You know how many bead stores have a bowl or a big jar of stones or beads, one that you can just plunge your hand into and feel the textures and the coolness of the beads/stones? If you can, start something like that for yourself at home, so that you can experience the beads/stones in a different way. I know it sounds a bit odd, but opening up your senses in this way may help derail the roadblock and get your juices flowing again.

Go to Meetup.com and see if there is a beading or jewelry making group in your area. If so, join it and go to some meetings. If not, then start one! I did this about 2 1/2 years ago, and it has been amazing. There is a reason that so many “self help” groups have meetings. There is something about people creating together that raises the energy vibration and helps get those juices flowing. Plus a group like that will probably have people who can suggest techniques or offer ideas that will help you when you’re stuck.

Pinterest!!!! If you don’t already have an account, open one. Then start organizing boards and start pinning. When you see a clasp used in a new way, or a color combination that appeals to you, or whatever, pinning it to a board means that you can find it again. If it caught your eye, there’s a reason it did, even if you don’t exactly know what that reason is right now. So pin pin pin!!!! Wander other people’s boards, use the search function, get lost exploring, and keep pinning!!

Just keep at it! You know the joy of creating a piece of jewelry. And remember, if you don’t like it, you can always take it apart and try again. You are creating art. There are no mistakes!!!

Best of luck!
Connie

Maybe you could take a class at your local bead store or even just go shopping to see if any new products at your LBS inspire you.

Turn off the TV, ignore the phone, and most importantly, don’t get discouraged. Those first few sessions may end up fairly unproductive in your eyes but the very exercise of devoting time specifically to your craft will pay off.

Having a special area set up for crafting, a place where you do not have to put everything away each time. Out of sight, out of mind, they say. But if your craft project or supplies are ‘there’ everytime you walk by, you will find ideas coming to you at random times and you will be able to test them out on the spot.

Carry a small notebook around to jot down inspiration as it comes to you…at the laundromat, in the doctor’s office, etc. How often does a great idea come to you when you cannot do anything with it. And by the time you get home, the thought is gone.

We all hit a slump now and again. Don’t fret about it, you will get your mojo back.

Although I often enjoy creating in solitude, there’s nothing like being with other people who love to make things.

I used to get together with 2 other gals who each did their own types of crafting.

Once a week we’d get together and spend the morning working on our individual projects, chatting and laughing, admiring what each other was working on, and helping each other come up with creative solutions to problems with our projects.

Of course I brought my jewelry stuff, and the other gals brought whatever they were working on. It was inspiring and fun to gather with them every week. At the end of our creative session, we’d have a potluck lunch.

If you know other creative people, why not make a point of getting together with them regularly? Their enthusiasm and companionship can really keep you going in your own craft – and the commitment to work on your jewelry when you meet with them will keep you making progress.

I hope this helps, Sylvia! I don’t think you’re all jeweled out. I think you just need something that brings you back to the irresistible fun of being creative and making jewelry.