A-Cute Design
  • About
  • Blog
  • CROCHET SHOP
  • Maker shop
  • Events
  • Give Back
  • Contact

Categories

All
Free Patterns
Getting Personal
Give Back
Laser Goodies
OML Experience
Pattern Releases

Archives

July 2020
May 2020
April 2020
October 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
July 2018
November 2017
October 2017
July 2017
May 2017
January 2017
November 2016
July 2016
May 2016
April 2016

My Brain is Beautiful

4/25/2016

1 Comment

 
As a creative person, of course ideas and imagination are a key part of who I am.  I know I am great at ideas, and my level of execution is much lower.  Do I get addicted to ideas or is this part of everyone's creative process?

Naturally, every creative process is different but I know for a fact others with excessive ideas tend to be creative.  I always get myself down on how caught up in the process I get, I love the fantasy of creativity and conceptualization.  Because then I tend to live in la la land and not get anything done- but damn it, this is not a bad trait, it’s a gift!

I was given a mind that snaps off a lot of ideas and a lot of thoughts at the same time.  This tends to give me a lot of anxiety and switch topics without notice(that realization comes to you courtesy of my loving boyfriend).  But this also probably gets me through a creative process not only uniquely, but quickly.

I am in the middle of all of these creative endeavours.  Crocheting ideas, antique selling and shows, making organic bath and beauty products, collaging ideas, and i have a new jewelry idea like every single day.  This is ok.  I have shows lined up for the summer to try out all of these little ideas.

So what did I learn this evening(well I guess now, morning)?  That my brain is awesome, and I’m keeping track of all of these little thoughts.  And secondly I need to start devoting a little more time a day to my creatively again.  I’ve had some medical issues that have consumed my life, but I’m ready to get this creative brain back to exercising.

Thanks again if anyone read, and to all a creative night:)
1 Comment

How to actually get things done

4/24/2016

1 Comment

 
As a follow up to my post last night, I’ve kind of let me thoughts run wild today and want to organize.  How do I physically complete all of the tasks and endeavors that I want to accomplish?  I think first of all, a to list… (private:)
And then thinking about shows I would like to do… (still private:)
So after getting these specifics out of my head I look at recources as to how to accomplish them,  This article was awesome..

 http://www.creativitypost.com/create/work_smarter_not_harder_21_time_management_tips_to_hack_productivity

The highlight I took was from the conclusion…
“Enjoyment should always be the goal. Work can be play.
We get so caught up in busyness that we forget to enjoy what we’re doing. Even when we focus on working smarter, we’re still often too focused on getting things done.

This should never be the point. Always ask yourself: What can I do to spend more time enjoying what I’m doing?

The goal should be to arrange your commitments in a way that you’re happy living out the details of your daily life, even while you’re working.

This may sound like a pipe dream, but it’s more possible than ever in today’s world. Be curious. Be open to opportunity. Know yourself. Embrace your passions.”

While recording my thoughts and looking at resources are both great ideas, it comes down to actually implementing these tasks.  I tend to be one of those people, like i said that fantasizes about things being done and have difficulty accomplishing what I sent out to do.

This is especially true if I may not be looking forward to a certain task and when I have to think about the rest of life!  I tend to abandon life for my art, and then vice versa.  Is it too rigid or too planned to right out the hours of my day  Or mabye have “X” amount of hours for creativity, rest, chores etc.  That may be a good solution.


All I know is i will figure it out.  I will find my voice, the shows I do successful at and the things I really love to make.  In the meantime I’m going to try it all:)
Picture
Multiple pens and multiple notebooks make for multiple lists!
Picture
Uploaded my key chains to my Etsy today, reformatting website and they will be up soon!
Picture
Got to give this gift I crochet as a gift yesterday- also updating past projects soon! SO much planned...
1 Comment

Being an Artist...What does this mean?  Can it Be a True Career?  Lighten Up a Little

4/20/2016

0 Comments

 
  What does it mean to be an artist?  Is it possible to sell art for a living and make a living at it?  These are the questions I keep asking myself.  In reality I have only really just broke the tip off the ice burg when it comes to my creativity and art, so how can I be in a position to make that decision for my life.

art·ist

  1. a person who produces paintings or drawings as a profession or hobby.

    synonyms:
    designer, creator, originator, producer; 
    old master

    "a mural artist"
    • a person who practices any of the various creative arts, such as a sculptor, novelist, poet, or filmmaker.
    • a person skilled at a particular task or occupation

So, #1:  I can call myself an artist.  I make things for hobby, to sell and really to just see what these hands can make after my brain thinks it up.  For some reason to me there has always been a stigma attached to this- that's all over with now.(so that's settled)

2, I need to stop making things purely to sell them.  So to back up here is an overview of what my current reality is...

  I left a career field I was miserable in, to pursue a life of creativity that I never dreamed possible.  I have held myself back in a lot of situations in life due to confidence issues and things I still struggle with from childhood.  So I took this chance to take a huge pay cut, but be happy in life.  I Moved back to my home state of Michigan and set my eyes above:  because the sky is the limit.

  With that being said, I get to work in amazing maker space, learn so much and teach creative classes.  I'm continually learning, and growing and get to do one of the funnest jobs on earth.  One thing I promised myself I would do is set up my own creative business, hence this website and this blog.  I'm still in such a newborn phase of this experience and I already feel myself putting loads of pressure on myself, for what?

  I started my etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/Anothercutedesign) and website at the end of last year(2015), less than 6 months ago- not long at all.  I Already sometimes loose the feeling of just living my creative process.    You know, when that idea comes, you loves how it's looking then your brain explodes with an addition and you have a working idea!  I know this is a business and the end result is to make money but the real enjoyment is to make the art!  To combine my ideas, with the technology I get to master (and use for free) so just go with it.

  I can't focus on failures, just learn from them.  I can celebrate my friend's success' because I definitely want them by my side when that time really comes for me.  A tricky part, and I know is my aesthetic.  For something to really sell, it needs to be pop-culture, trendy, something I don't want for my brand.  So do I have to be a "sell-out" to "sell out" of my merchandise?

  I have so much to explore and to took forward to.  I made this change in my life for  a reason and I have one chance to make these tasks, and this life count.  I will have set-backs, and it may just get down right ugly on here at times but that's all part of the process- my process.  I struggle, get upset, then something miraculous happens that I know would not have been born if it wasn't for that struggle.  I just need to believe in all of that, and believe in myself

  These are the thoughts that are swimming around in my head.  No one may ever read this and I'm OK with that.  I'm looking forward to looking back on my journey, my connection to my work and becoming the artist I always dreamed I could be.

0 Comments
    Picture

    Check Out Our Hook Nook Blog Feature Here!

    click me cutie
    Picture
    Picture

    Hey Cuties!
      I've always wanted to share my writing with others, so documenting my creative thoughts, process and life journey seamed like the perfect way to do so.
      Thank you for looking, it gives me much joy to connect with each of you. 
     -Jenna

      Enter your email Below to Receive Each Blog Update!

    Subscribe to Newsletter
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • About
  • Blog
  • CROCHET SHOP
  • Maker shop
  • Events
  • Give Back
  • Contact