Octopus's Garden - A Study in Creativity

It was a busy weekend. I felt rushed and in a bit of a panic to get things done so I could sit down and work. There has been a recent upheaval in my life due to a shift change and I am now working 9 - 6. I am not used to it, having a problem settling into it and it has destroyed my schedule. This schedule change has left me not being able to create in the mornings before work and has forced me to cram it into a weekend. *embrace the challenge, find the good* My mantra for the last week.

You know those times when it just doesn't happen? You try to come up with an idea, you try to put the pieces together and - nothing. Nada. That is when I go looking for the inspiration. As I have said in the past, I find inspiration in music, in nature, or in dreams. Most times my inspiration is there, I just have to learn how to take from it to create with it.

Google is celebrating Sesame Street's 40th year. In light of it, Heather of Beadin Path and I were talking about it last week. I was watching clips on You Tube and reminiscing about the great times I had growing up with Sesame Street and then being able to share those fun times with my daughter and watch them all over again with her.

In my searching I found this, one of my favorite:



From this video came the inspiration for this piece. A fun, whimsical, nonsense necklace created in a study of working outside the box, abstract interpretation, and letting go. You wouldn't believe the ideas I have rolling now.

I hand wound the links with sterling, and packed the pearls onto a length of beading wire. It is heavier than I thought.



It photographs like a dream. Great textures, a good flow.


It may not stay a necklace, it may not stay anything, but it did take me out of my comfort zone and allow me to play, and have a fun creative time going in a new direction.