Inspiration for Crafters

“Where do crafters find ideas?” beginning craftspeople often wonder.

Here are a few resources for crafting inspiration:

Image: sxc.hu

Books and magazines – There are any number of ideas on the printed page.  They can act as a springboard for generating your own.

Classes – You’ll find workshops in many crafts at senior centers, continuing education departments, town recreation centers, public libraries, and guilds to name a few.

The world around you - Crafters find inspiration from daily life and the environment around them.  Often they take photos of nature, people, animals, objects and textures that inspire their work.

Family activities – Incorporate family activities, sports, and recreation into craft designs.

Special occasions – Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries often give you ideas for your crafts.

Trips/traveling – Ventures near home and far away can inspire you and give you ideas for your work.

Shows, craft fairs, museum and gallery displays – As you marvel at others’ work , you may come home with ideas of your own.  These won’t be designs you’ve copied but simply those inspired by the fellow quilters’ work.

Family memories – As you research your family tree, you may find ancestors did quilting, knitting and other crafts.

Inspiration for your craftwork, whether needlework, woodworking, painting, nature craft and more  is all around you.  As you become involved in your arts and crafts, you’ll find yourself jotting down ideas wherever you go.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?