Creativity, design, visualization, and clever custom creations have been a piece of my heart and a part of my life since I was a little girl. I don't remember how old I was, but I wanted to put a swing in my bedroom for a stuffed animal. So, I found some ribbon and a piece of wood to work with and got busy designing. When I finished,It didn't support much weight, but it was a very successful, adorable swing for my favorite stuffed animal that hung from the ceiling in my bedroom. I remember my dad's response when he saw it, "I really wish you'd ask me first before you use my power tools." Oh yeah, very young and working with a jigsaw somewhere in my dad's workshop.
I started to realize, around that time, that if I had a vision in my mind, I could create it myself.
A few factors come into play when you want to create a custom, unique addition to your life to make it more aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable and functional.
First, of course, is research. You've got to make sure you know what you're doing so you don't waste a lot of time or money . . . or get hurt. (That is going to be another whole blog in itself. My hands have a very scarred past.)
Next, I believe, is visualization. You've got to be able to draw it out in your mind, or on paper, or on a screen. I heard once that only 20% of the population can visualize. That's why staging a house is so important before you try to sell it. Apparently, most people can't decide where their couch should go unless you show them. Who knew?
Of course creativity is a beneficial component. Creativity comes in a vast array of ideas. It can be brought to life through color, shape, size, texture, contrast, perspective, layers, position, "and so on and so forth and what have you." (Quote: Sue Heck, The Middle)
Drive comes next. I might be notoriously known for trial and error. I am a thinker, but not so much a planner. Once the idea is there, I am ready to get to work and see it come to fruition. But operating in this nature, comes with a lot of potential errors and redo's. So, if you are a planner, now is the time to really get all your ideas together and come up with the plan. Be careful not to stay in this phase too long, or else you might never see the project idea come to reality.
From stuffed animal swings all the way to a t-shirt design company, I have tackled many creative projects along the way. Each one has taught me more and led me to the next. One can only imagine where the next 40 years will lead.
Joy S.
Mom, Owner, Designer