Creative Disasters: Learn & Love

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I just finished typing + turning in some text for an upcoming feature in Somerset… we’ll talk more about that later. For now let’s just say jaw drop, no way, yes way, wayne’s world, not a bazinga. whoa nelly type moment there.

Anyhow, as I typed up some info I thought about how I’ve learned more from my disasters than anything else. This can be for life in general – but most especially when it comes to my creating! Sometimes when I sit down to make something I eliminate things based on knowing that I’ve done (and it hasn’t worked) in past.

The latest? Trying to use liquid adhesives to seal foil cardstock to a wood frame (pictured above). NOPE. The cardstock part just peeled right away and what a mess.

Am I upset? Unhappy? Worked up?

nope. Only way to know if something is going to work out is to try! I go all in on every project, and I don’t worry about if I might mess up or if it won’t work. If it doesn’t work – that just means that I know how NOT to do it next time.

This is also a reason why I love working in batches and testing out backgrounds in bulk (you’ll see more of those soon!) – sometimes I find big fails but sometimes I also find things that work well for me.

So I encourage you to get out there and try. Don’t sweat the fails – it’s part of the process. In fact, it can be the best part because sometimes there is a fail, but sometimes there is an accidental success, or a new idea that works out even better than you thought.

Enjoy that creative process.

8 thoughts on “Creative Disasters: Learn & Love”

  1. Isn’t that a magazine?! That’s awesome! Go May! You’re right, if we don’t experiment, then we don’t learn. Great attitude, you rock. Michelle t

  2. I must say, I’ve also had my share of creative disasters (some quite messy), and you’re right–they are a learning opportunity. I might add, the more dramatic the disaster, the easier it is to remember what NOT to do! LOL But you’re also right when you say we should not let the potential of a fail keep us from experimenting. Hopefully we can remember how to repeat the “happy accidents” too! Congrats on being featured in Somerset!

  3. Congratulations on being featured in Somerset, really awesome! It is true that our failures bring us forward to success, but it is also wonderful to have someone like you who will give us a clue as to what will work best. Thank you for sharing, and I look forward to seeing you in a Somerset publication.

  4. Congratulations on the feature in somerset! how awesome is that? Thank you for the tip (at your expense, no less) 😉

  5. Congratulations on your upcoming contribution …well deserved! It must be in the air to let go and let things happen! I know not to expect acrylic glaze to wipe off of ceramic stucco medium…hahahaha…gesso works wonders! 🙂 Full steam ahead my friend!

  6. Big congrats on being featured in Somerset! Make sure you let us know when it is due out! I love how you are not afraid to share your mistakes – after all, how else can we learn if we don’t make mistakes!

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